Jeremiah 15:3 I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

◄ Jeremiah 15:3 ►

New International Version
“I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the LORD, “the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds and the wild animals to devour and destroy.

New Living Translation
“I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” says the LORD. “I will send the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, the vultures to devour, and the wild animals to finish up what is left.

English Standard Version
I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Berean Standard Bible
I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

King James Bible
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

New King James Version
“And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction,” says the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

New American Standard Bible
And I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the animals of the earth to devour and destroy.

NASB 1995
“I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

NASB 1977
“And I shall appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Legacy Standard Bible
I will appoint over them four kinds of doom,” declares Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to drag off, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and bring to ruin.

Amplified Bible
I will appoint four kinds of destroyers over them,” says the LORD, “the sword to slay, the dogs to tear and drag away, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and to destroy.

Christian Standard Bible
“I will ordain four kinds of judgment for them”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land to devour and destroy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“I will ordain four kinds of judgment for them"—this is the LORD’s declaration—"the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the land to devour and destroy.

American Standard Version
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

Contemporary English Version
I will punish you in four different ways: You will be killed in war and your bodies dragged off by dogs, your flesh will be eaten by birds, and your bones will be chewed on by wild animals.

English Revised Version
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I will devise four ways to punish them," declares the LORD. "I will send swords to kill, dogs to drag away, and birds and animals to devour and destroy.

Good News Translation
I, the LORD, have decided that four terrible things will happen to them: they will be killed in war; their bodies will be dragged off by dogs; birds will eat them, and wild animals will devour what is left over.

International Standard Version
"I'll appoint four kinds of judgment for them," declares the LORD: "the sword to kill, the dogs to drag off, the birds of the sky to devour, and the animals of the land to destroy.

Majority Standard Bible
I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

NET Bible
"I will punish them in four different ways: I will have war kill them. I will have dogs drag off their dead bodies. I will have birds and wild beasts devour and destroy their corpses.

New Heart English Bible
I will appoint over them four kinds, says the LORD: the sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

World English Bible
“I will appoint over them four kinds,” says Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I have appointed four kinds over them,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, "" And the bird of the heavens, "" And the beast of the earth, to consume and to devour.

Young's Literal Translation
And I have appointed over them four kinds, an affirmation of Jehovah, The sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, And the fowl of the heavens, And the beast of the earth, to consume and to devour.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I reviewed over them four kinds, says Jehovah: the sword to kill, and dogs to tear in pieces, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to consume and destroy.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will visit them with four kinds, saith the Lord: The sword to kill, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will visit against them in four ways, says the Lord: by the sword, to kill; and by dogs, to tear apart; and by the birds of the air and by the beasts of the earth, to devour and to scatter.

New American Bible
Four kinds of scourge I have decreed against them—oracle of the LORD—the sword to kill them; dogs to drag them off; the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy them.

New Revised Standard Version
And I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, says the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and the wild animals of the earth to devour and destroy.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And I will decree against them four kinds of afflictions, says the LORD: The sword to slay, the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the air and the wild beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall order four plagues upon them, says LORD JEHOVAH: the sword to kill, and dogs to tear, and the bird of the sky and the beast of the Earth to devour and to destroy

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to drag, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will punish them with four kinds of death, saith the Lord, the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the wild beasts of the earth, and the birds of the sky to devour and destroy.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Judgment to Continue
…2If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ 3I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. 4I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 28:26
Your corpses will be food for all the birds of the air and beasts of the earth, with no one to scare them away.

Leviticus 26:22
I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate.

Ezekiel 5:17
I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”

Ezekiel 14:21
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast?

2 Kings 17:25-26
Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”

2 Kings 2:24
Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.

Isaiah 56:9
Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest.

Hosea 13:8
Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lion, like a wild beast tearing them apart.

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 19:17-18
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Luke 17:37
“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

Ezekiel 33:27
Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

Ezekiel 39:4
On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.

Jeremiah 7:33
The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to scare them away.

Treasury of Scripture

And I will appoint over them four kinds, said the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.

I will.

Jeremiah 7:33
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.

Leviticus 26:16,22,25
I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it…

Deuteronomy 28:26
And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.

kinds.

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Jeremiah 15

1. The utter rejection and manifold judgments of the people.
10. Jeremiah, complaining of their spite, receives a promise for himself;
12. and a threatening for them.
15. He prays;
19. and receives a gracious promise.

Berean Study Bible

I will appoint over them
This phrase indicates divine sovereignty and judgment. The Hebrew root for "appoint" is "paqad," which often implies a visitation or an assignment of responsibility. In this context, it underscores God's active role in orchestrating the consequences of Israel's disobedience. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship where God promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).

four kinds of destroyers
The number four often symbolizes completeness or universality in biblical literature. Here, it suggests a comprehensive judgment. The "destroyers" are instruments of divine wrath, each representing different aspects of the impending calamity. This reflects the totality of the judgment that would leave no aspect of life untouched.

declares the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew "Yahweh" is used, the covenant name of God, reminding the audience of His eternal and unchanging nature. It assures that the prophecy is not merely Jeremiah's words but a divine decree.

the sword to kill
The sword is a common biblical symbol for war and execution of judgment. In the ancient Near East, the sword was a primary weapon of warfare, representing the immediate and violent nature of the coming destruction. This aligns with historical invasions by foreign powers like Babylon, which God used as instruments of His judgment.

the dogs to drag away
Dogs in ancient Israel were not domesticated pets but scavengers. This imagery conveys disgrace and dishonor, as bodies left unburied were considered cursed (Deuteronomy 28:26). The dragging away by dogs symbolizes the complete abandonment and humiliation of the people.

the birds of the air
Birds, particularly vultures, are often associated with death and decay in scripture. They are seen as agents of divine retribution, consuming the remains of the fallen. This imagery reinforces the idea of a land left desolate and cursed, where even the natural order turns against the people.

and the beasts of the earth
Beasts represent wild, untamed forces of nature. In the context of judgment, they symbolize chaos and destruction unleashed upon the land. This phrase completes the picture of a comprehensive judgment where every element of creation participates in the execution of divine justice.

to devour and destroy
The Hebrew words "akal" (to devour) and "shamad" (to destroy) emphasize total consumption and obliteration. This reflects the irreversible nature of the judgment pronounced. The dual action of devouring and destroying underscores the severity and finality of God's wrath against persistent rebellion.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Four kinds.--The sword, as the direct instrument of death, is followed by those that follow up its work, the beasts and birds of prey that feed on the corpses of the slain. The latter feature has naturally been from the earliest stages of human history the crowning horror of defeat. So Homer, Il. i. 4 :--

"And many mighty souls of heroes sent

To Hades, and their bodies made a prey

To dogs and to all birds."

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Appoint; i.e. give full power to them as my vicegerents (Jeremiah 1:10). Four kinds; literally, families; i.e. kinds of things. The first-mentioned has reference to the living; the remaining ones to the unburied corpses (Jeremiah 14:16; Jeremiah 19:7; Jeremiah 34:20). To tear; rather, to drag along.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will appoint
וּפָקַדְתִּ֨י (ū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

over them
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

four
אַרְבַּ֤ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

kinds of destroyers,
מִשְׁפָּחוֹת֙ (miš·pā·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD:
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the sword
הַחֶ֣רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

to kill,
לַֽהֲרֹ֔ג (la·hă·rōḡ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

the dogs
הַכְּלָבִ֖ים (hak·kə·lā·ḇîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute

to drag away,
לִסְחֹ֑ב (lis·ḥōḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5498: To trail along

and the birds
ע֧וֹף (‘ō·wp̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

of the air
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and beasts
בֶּהֱמַ֥ת (be·hĕ·maṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

of the earth
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

to devour
לֶאֱכֹ֥ל (le·’ĕ·ḵōl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 398: To eat

and destroy.
וּלְהַשְׁחִֽית׃ (ū·lə·haš·ḥîṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 15:3 I will appoint over them four kinds (Jer.)