And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.

JEREMIAH 7:33KJV
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Jeremiah 7:33 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 7:33 mean?

Jeremiah 7:33 describes a coming judgment where the dead bodies of the people will be left unburied, becoming food for birds and wild animals, with no one to chase the scavengers away. This verse warns that disaster will be so overwhelming that the usual respect for the dead will be completely ignored.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The verse paints a vivid picture of defeat in battle or invasion, where so many people die that their bodies are left exposed, showing the total breakdown of society and the absence of anyone to care for the dead.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 7:33

  • "carcases" (נְבֵלָה, nevelah): This word means dead bodies or corpses, often used in contexts of disgrace or uncleanness. Here, it emphasizes the shame and dishonor that will come upon the people.
  • "meat" (מַאֲכָל, ma'akal): This word simply means food. The verse uses it to show that the bodies will become food for scavengers, highlighting the extent of the devastation.
  • "fowls" (עוֹף, 'oph): This word refers to birds, especially those that eat carrion. Their presence signals that no one is left to protect or honor the dead.
  • "fray...away" (חָרַד, charad): This verb means to frighten or scare away. The verse notes that no one will be left to drive off the birds and beasts, underlining the total abandonment and helplessness of the people.

Why Jeremiah 7:33 matters

  • Jeremiah 7:33 clears up any idea that the warning is only about spiritual consequences; it describes a very physical, public disaster that everyone would recognize as a sign of utter defeat.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing how far the people have fallen from God's protection—so much so that even basic human dignity in death is lost.
  • The detail that "none shall fray them away" stresses the complete collapse of the community, where not even family or neighbors remain to care for the dead, making the warning especially sobering.

Where else these words appear

“meat” Hebrew H3978 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
  • Proverbs 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

“away” Hebrew H2729 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
  • 1 Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
  • Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.

“carcases” Hebrew H5038 · used in 41 verses

  • Leviticus 5:2 Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.
  • Leviticus 11:40 And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 13:30 And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother!

“fowls” Hebrew H5775 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Leviticus 7:26 Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.
  • Psalms 79:2 The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.