And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

JEREMIAH 5:17KJV
truelightbible.com

Jeremiah 5:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 5:17 mean?

Jeremiah 5:17 warns that invaders will consume all the produce, food, livestock, and fruit that the people of Judah depend on, and will destroy even their fortified cities with the sword. The verse describes a total loss of resources and security as a consequence of coming judgment.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The language is concrete and vivid: everything the people rely on—harvest, bread, animals, vineyards, and even their protected cities—will be taken or destroyed by foreign enemies. This threat is meant to show the seriousness of the coming disaster and how nothing will be left untouched.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:17

  • The word "eat up" (אָכַל, 'akal, H398) is repeated several times, emphasizing the thoroughness with which the invaders will consume everything. This is not just about literal eating, but about complete destruction or taking away.
  • "Harvest" (קָצִיר, qatsir, H7105) and "bread" (לֶחֶם, lechem, H3899) highlight the loss of both raw produce and daily necessities, showing that every stage of provision will be affected.
  • "Impoverish" (רָשַׁשׁ, rashash, H7567) means to break down or crush, underlining that the fortified cities (עִיר, 'ir, H5892; מִבְצָר, mibtsar, H4013) will not just be attacked but left in ruins, removing any sense of safety.

Why Jeremiah 5:17 matters

  • Jeremiah 5:17 makes clear that the coming judgment is not partial or symbolic; it will affect every aspect of daily life, from food to shelter.
  • The verse connects the loss of physical security ("fenced cities") to misplaced trust, showing that what the people relied on for safety will fail them.
  • This warning fits into Jeremiah’s larger message that ignoring God’s warnings leads to real and total consequences, not just spiritual ones but practical, everyday losses.