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Saturday, August 23rd, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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New Century Version

Jeremiah 15:8

There are more widows than grains of sand in the sea. I brought a destroyer at noontime against the mothers of the young men of Judah. I suddenly brought pain and fear on the people of Judah.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Backsliders;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   War;   Scofield Reference Index - Remnant;   Thompson Chain Reference - Destruction;   Insecurity of the Wicked;   Security-Insecurity;   Sudden Destruction;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Widows;  

Dictionaries:

- Holman Bible Dictionary - Noon;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Sand;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Hyperbole;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Sand;   Spoiler;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I made their widows more numerousthan the sand of the seas.I brought a destroyer at noonagainst the mother of young men.I suddenly released on heragitation and terrors.
Hebrew Names Version
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
King James Version
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
English Standard Version
I have made their widows more in number than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of young men a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon them suddenly.
New American Standard Bible
"Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noon; I will suddenly bring down on her Shock and horror.
Amplified Bible
"I will make their widows more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of the young men, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly cause anguish and terror To fall on her.
World English Bible
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Their widdowes are increased by mee aboue the sande of the sea: I haue brought vpon them, and against the assembly of the yong men a destroyer at noone day: I haue caused him to fal vpon them, and the citie suddenly, and speedily.
Legacy Standard Bible
Their widows will be more numerous before MeThan the sand of the seas;I will bring against them, against the mother of a choice man,A destroyer at noonday;I will suddenly bring down on herAnguish and terror.
Berean Standard Bible
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.
Contemporary English Version
There will be more widows in Judah than grains of sand on a beach. A surprise attack at noon! And the mothers in Jerusalem mourn for their children.
Complete Jewish Bible
Their widows increase in number more than the sand of the seas; At midday I am bringing the destroyer on the mothers of young men, causing anguish and terror suddenly to fall upon her.
Darby Translation
Their widows are increased to me more than the sand of the seas; I have brought upon them, against the mother of the young men, a spoiler at noonday; I have caused anguish and terror to fall upon her suddenly.
Easy-to-Read Version
Many women will lose their husbands. There will be more widows than there is sand in the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noontime. The destroyer will attack the mothers of the young men of Judah. I will bring pain and fear on the people of Judah. I will make this happen very quickly.
George Lamsa Translation
Their widows are increased in number more than the sand of the sea; I have brought against them, both against the mother and against the young men, robbers at noonday; I have caused terror and trembling to fall upon them suddenly.
Good News Translation
There are more widows in your land than grains of sand by the sea. I killed your young men in their prime and made their mothers suffer. I suddenly struck them with anguish and terror.
Lexham English Bible
Their widows will be more numerous before me than the sand of the seas. I have brought to them, against the mothers of young men, a destroyer at noon. I will suddenly drop on her anguish and horror.
Literal Translation
Their widows are more numerous about Me than the sand of the seas. I have brought for them a ravager at noonday against the mother of a young man; I caused anguish and terror to fall on her suddenly.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I will make their wyddowes mo in nombre, then the sondes of the see. Vpon ye mothers of their children, I shal bringe a destroyer in the noone daye. Sodenly and vnawarres, shal I sende a feare vpon their cities.
American Standard Version
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.
Bible in Basic English
I have let their widows be increased in number more than the sand of the seas: I have sent against them, against the mother and the young men, one who makes waste in the heat of the day, causing pain and fears to come on her suddenly.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Their widows are increased to Me above the sand of the seas; I bring upon them, against the mother, a chosen one, even a spoiler at noonday; I cause anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.
King James Version (1611)
Their widowes are increased to me aboue the sand of the seas: I haue brought vpon them against the mother of the yongmen, a spoiler at noone day: I haue caused him to fall vpon it suddenly, and terrors vpon the citie.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
I haue made their widowes mo in number then the sandes of the sea, vpon the mothers of their children dyd I bryng a destroyer in the noone day: sodaynly and vnawares did I sende a feare vpon their cities.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Their widows have been multiplied more than the sand of the sea: I have brought young men against the mother, even distress at noon-day: I have suddenly cast upon her trembling and anxiety.
English Revised Version
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The widewis therof ben multiplied to me aboue the grauel of the see; and Y brouyte in to hem a distriere in myddai on the modir of a yonge man, Y sente drede sudeynli on citees.
Update Bible Version
Their widows have increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.
Webster's Bible Translation
Their widows are multiplied to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noon-day: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.
New English Translation
Their widows will become in my sight more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashores. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men. I will cause anguish and terror to fall suddenly upon them.
New King James Version
Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, Against the mother of the young men, A plunderer at noonday; I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.
New Living Translation
There will be more widows than the grains of sand on the seashore. At noontime I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will cause anguish and terror to come upon them suddenly.
New Life Bible
Their women whose husbands have died will be as many as the sand of the seas. At noon I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men. I will bring suffering and fear to them all at once.
New Revised Standard
Their widows became more numerous than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of youths a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon her suddenly.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Their widows have become multiplied to me, beyond the sand of the seas, I have brought against them - upon the mother of young men - the spoiler in the broad noon, - I have let fall upon her suddenly, excitement and terrors.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Their widows are multiplied unto me above the sand of the sea: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young man a spoiler at noonday: I have cast a terror on a sudden upon the cities.
Revised Standard Version
I have made their widows more in number than the sand of the seas; I have brought against the mothers of young men a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon them suddenly.
Young's Literal Translation
Its widows have been more to Me than the sand of the seas, I brought in to them -- against the mother -- A young man -- a spoiler -- at noon. I caused to fall upon her suddenly, wrath and trouble.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noonday; I will suddenly bring down on her Anguish and dismay.

Contextual Overview

1 Then the Lord said to me: "I would not feel sorry for the people of Judah even if Moses and Samuel prayed for them. Send them away from me! Tell them to go! 2 When they ask you, ‘Where will we go?' tell them: ‘This is what the Lord says: Those who are meant to die will die. Those who are meant to die in war will die in war. Those who are meant to die from hunger will die from hunger. Those who are meant to be taken captive will be taken captive.' 3 "I will send four kinds of destroyers against them," says the Lord . "I will send war to kill, dogs to drag the bodies away, and the birds of the air and wild animals to eat and destroy the bodies. 4 I will make the people of Judah hated by everyone on earth because of what Manasseh did in Jerusalem. (Manasseh son of Hezekiah was king of the nation of Judah.) 5 "Who will feel sorry for you, Jerusalem? Who will be sad and cry for you? Who will go out of his way to ask how you are? 6 Jerusalem, you have left me," says the Lord . "You keep going farther and farther away, so I have taken hold of you and destroyed you. I was tired of holding back my anger. 7 I have separated the people of Judah with my pitchfork and scattered them at the city gates of the land. My people haven't changed their ways. So I have destroyed them and taken away their children. 8 There are more widows than grains of sand in the sea. I brought a destroyer at noontime against the mothers of the young men of Judah. I suddenly brought pain and fear on the people of Judah. 9 When the enemy attacked, a woman with seven sons felt faint because they would all die. She became weak and unable to breathe. Her bright day became dark from sadness. She felt shame and disgrace. And everyone else left alive in Judah I will hand over to the enemies, too!" says the Lord .

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

widows: Isaiah 3:25, Isaiah 3:26, Isaiah 4:1

the mother: etc. or, the mother city a young man spoiling, etc. or, the mother and the young men. a spoiler. Jeremiah 4:16, Jeremiah 5:6, Jeremiah 6:4, Jeremiah 6:5, Luke 21:35

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:24 - your wives Leviticus 26:16 - terror 1 Samuel 13:5 - as the sand 2 Chronicles 36:17 - he brought Jeremiah 6:26 - for the Jeremiah 15:13 - substance Jeremiah 18:21 - let their wives Jeremiah 48:8 - the spoiler Jeremiah 49:5 - I will Hosea 4:5 - and the prophet Habakkuk 1:9 - they shall gather Zephaniah 2:4 - at

Cross-References

Genesis 15:2
But Abram said, "Lord God , what can you give me? I have no son, so my slave Eliezer from Damascus will get everything I own after I die."
Genesis 15:4
Then the Lord spoke his word to Abram: "He will not be the one to inherit what you have. You will have a son of your own who will inherit what you have."
Genesis 15:9
The Lord said to Abram, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old goat, a three-year-old male sheep, a dove, and a young pigeon."
Genesis 15:10
Abram brought them all to God. Then Abram killed the animals and cut each of them into two pieces, laying each half opposite the other half. But he did not cut the birds in half.
Genesis 15:13
Then the Lord said to Abram, "You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers and travel in a land they don't own. The people there will make them slaves and be cruel to them for four hundred years.
Genesis 15:14
But I will punish the nation where they are slaves. Then your descendants will leave that land, taking great wealth with them.
Genesis 15:17
After the sun went down, it was very dark. Suddenly a smoking firepot and a blazing torch passed between the halves of the dead animals.
2 Kings 20:8
Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the Temple of the Lord on the third day?"
Psalms 86:17
Show me a sign of your goodness. When my enemies look, they will be ashamed. You, Lord , have helped me and comforted me.
Isaiah 7:11
"Ask for a sign from the Lord your God to prove to yourself that these things are true. It may be a sign from as deep as the place of the dead or as high as the heavens."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas,.... Their husbands being slain; not in the times of Ahaz, when a hundred and twenty thousand men were slain in one day in Judah, by Pekah the son of Remaliah, 2 Chronicles 28:6, as Kimchi thinks; but in the times of Zedekiah, at the siege of Jerusalem, and the taking of it, and in the Babylonish captivity before predicted. The children of Israel were to be as the sand of the sea, and were very numerous; and here the widows are said to be so too, their husbands, who were numerous, being dead; and this, as it was of the Lord, so it was in his sight, and according to his counsel and will. Mention is made of "seas", in the plural, number, there being many in or near Judea, as the Red sea, the sea of Galilee, and the Mediterranean sea:

I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler, at noonday; that is he would bring upon the Jews, against the mother of the young men, or mothers of them; for the young men being destroyed by the spoiler, it was against them; a calamity upon them, and a distress unto them, who have generally a tender concern for them. The Targum is,

"against the company of their young men;''

the Jews; or against Jerusalem, the mother city, the metropolis of the nation, full of young men fit for war: or, "against the mother", that is, Jerusalem, a "young man" e; meaning Nebuchadnezzar, who came against Jerusalem in the first year of his reign; and, as some say, in the eighteenth year of his age; and who came not as a thief in the night, but as a spoiler at noonday; not in a secret insidious manner, but openly and with force of arms making his way through the land to Jerusalem, in defiance of the Jews, and in the face of them:

and I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly; that is, upon the city of Jerusalem: for though he came openly, his march was quick, and he was presently at Jerusalem, and laid siege to it at once:

and terrors upon the city; or, "city and terrors" f; the city was immediately filled with terrors at the appearance of Nebuchadnezzar and his army. R. Joseph Kimchi interprets it, "an army and terrors", from

1 Samuel 28:16, the Babylonian monarch, at the head of his army, which spread terrors where he came. Some render the word, from Daniel 4:13, "a watcher and terrors" g: meaning the Chaldean army, called watchers, Jeremiah 4:16. The Targum is,

"I will bring an army upon them suddenly, and destroy their cities;''

it should be rendered "alienation of mind and terrors": from the use of the word, עיר, in the Arabic language h.

e על אם בחור "contra metropolin, juvenem", Junius Tremellius, De Dieu "contra matrem", Piscator; "super matrem, juvenem", Cocceius. f עיר ובהלות "civitatem et terrores", Montanus; so Schmidt. g "Vigilem, [vel] vigiles et terrores", Gataker; "vigilias et terrores", Coeceius. h Ab "alteravit, mutavit et turbavit", Golius, Castel. Schindler.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Translate, “I have brought upon them, even upon the mother of the young man, a spoiler etc.” The word rendered “young man” means a picked warrior. The mother has borne a valiant champion; but neither his prowess nor the numerous offspring of the other can avail to save those who gave them birth; war bereaves both alike.

At noonday - i. e., unexpectedly, as armies used to rest at noon (see Jeremiah 6:4 note).

I have caused him ... - Rather, “I have brought suddenly upon her,” the mother of the young warrior, “anguish and terrors.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Jeremiah 15:8. The mother of the young men — The metropolis or mother city, Jerusalem.


 
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