Jeremiah 5:22
New International Version
Should you not fear me?” declares the LORD. “Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it.

New Living Translation
Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the LORD, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set.

English Standard Version
Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.

Berean Standard Bible
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.

King James Bible
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

New King James Version
Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.

New American Standard Bible
‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal limit, and it will not cross over it. Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; Though they roar, they will not cross over it.

NASB 1995
‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.

NASB 1977
‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do you not fear Me?’ declares Yahweh. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, A perpetual statute, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.

Amplified Bible
‘Do you not fear Me?’ says the LORD. ‘Do you not tremble [in awe] in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree and a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass. Though the waves [of the sea] toss and break, yet they cannot prevail [against the sand ordained to hold them back]; Though the waves and the billows roar, yet they cannot cross over [the barrier]. [Is not such a God to be feared?]

Christian Standard Bible
Do you not fear me? This is the LORD’s declaration. Do you not tremble before me, the one who set the sand as the boundary of the sea, an enduring barrier that it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot pass over it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do you not fear Me? This is the LORD’s declaration. Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary of the sea, an enduring barrier that it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot pass over it.

American Standard Version
Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

Contemporary English Version
that you should worship me with fear and trembling? I'm the one who made the shore to hold back the ocean. Waves may crash on the beach, but they can come no farther.

English Revised Version
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't you fear me?" asks the LORD. "Don't you tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it cannot cross. Although the waves toss continuously, they can't break through. Although they roar, they can't cross it.

Good News Translation
I am the LORD; why don't you fear me? Why don't you tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary of the sea, a permanent boundary that it cannot cross. The sea may toss, but it cannot go beyond it; the waves may roar, but they cannot break through.

International Standard Version
You don't fear me, do you?' declares the LORD. 'You don't tremble before me, do you? I'm the one who put the sand as a boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot cross. Though the waves toss, they cannot prevail against it, though they roar, they cannot cross it.'

Majority Standard Bible
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.

NET Bible
"You should fear me!" says the LORD. "You should tremble in awe before me! I made the sand to be a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it can never cross. Its waves may roll, but they can never prevail. They may roar, but they can never cross beyond that boundary."

New Heart English Bible
Do you not fear me?' says the LORD 'Won't you tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it can't pass it? And though its waves toss themselves, yet they can't prevail; though they roar, yet they can't pass over it.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though its waves toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

World English Bible
Don’t you fear me?’ says Yahweh; ‘Won’t you tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it can’t pass it? Though its waves toss themselves, yet they can’t prevail. Though they roar, they still can’t pass over it.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do you not fear Me?” A declaration of YHWH; “Are you not pained from My presence? Who has made sand the border of the sea, "" A perpetual limit, and it does not pass over it, "" They shake themselves, and they are not able, "" Indeed, its billows have sounded, and they do not pass over.

Young's Literal Translation
Me do ye not fear, an affirmation of Jehovah? From My presence are ye not pained? Who hath made sand the border of the sea, A limit age-during, and it passeth not over it, They shake themselves, and they are not able, Yea, sounded have its billows, and they pass not over.

Smith's Literal Translation
Will ye not fear me? says Jehovah; or will ye not tremble from my face, who set the sand a bound to the sea a law forever, and it shall not pass over it: and its waves shall toss themselves and shall not prevail; and they were put in commotion and shall not pass over it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Will not you then fear me, saith the Lord: and will you not repent at my presence? I have set the sand a bound for the sea, an everlasting ordinance, which it shall not pass over: and the waves thereof shall toss themselves, and shall not prevail: they shall swell, and shall not pass over it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So then, will you not fear me, says the Lord. And will you not have sorrow before my face? I have placed the shore as a limit for the sea, as an everlasting precept that it will not transgress. And its waves will crash, but they will not prevail; and its waves will swell, but they will not go across.

New American Bible
Should you not fear me—oracle of the LORD— should you not tremble before me? I made the sandy shore the sea’s limit, which by eternal decree it may not overstep. Toss though it may, it is to no avail; though its billows roar, they cannot overstep.

New Revised Standard Version
Do you not fear me? says the LORD; Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail, though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do you not revere me? says the LORD, and will you not tremble at my presence? I have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual ordinance, that it cannot overflow; though the waves roar, yet they cannot prevail; and though they toss, yet they cannot pass over it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Shall you not be afraid of me, says LORD JEHOVAH, and shall you not tremble before me? For I have put the sand borders for the sea, a law to eternity, and it does not cross it, and it rages and cannot, and the waves are lifted up and they do not cross it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Fear ye not Me? saith the LORD; Will ye not tremble at My presence? Who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, An everlasting ordinance, which it cannot pass; And though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; Though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
will ye not be afraid of me? saith the Lord; and will ye not fear before me, who have set the sand for a bound to the sea, as a perpetual ordinance, and it shall not pass it: yea, it shall rage, but not prevail; and its waves shall roar, but not pass over it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Proclaimed
21“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. 22 Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it. 23But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away.…

Cross References
Psalm 104:9
You set a boundary they cannot cross, that they may never again cover the earth.

Job 38:8-11
Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, / when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, / when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, ...

Proverbs 8:29
when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.

Isaiah 50:2
Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Amos 9:6
He builds His upper rooms in the heavens and founds His vault upon the earth. He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth. The LORD is His name.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Psalm 33:7
He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses.

Psalm 89:9
You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Isaiah 51:15
For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name.

Job 26:10
He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

Revelation 10:2
He held in his hand a small scroll, which lay open. He placed his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.

Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”


Treasury of Scripture

Fear you not me? said the LORD: will you not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Fear ye not.

Jeremiah 10:7
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

Deuteronomy 28:58
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

Psalm 119:120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

tremble.

Psalm 99:1
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Psalm 119:120
My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

placed.

Job 26:10
He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

Job 38:10,11
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, …

Psalm 33:7
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Jump to Previous
Bound Decree Everlasting Fear Ordinance Perpetual Placed Presence Prevail Roar Sand Sea Themselves Thereof Toss Tremble Waves Won't
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Bound Decree Everlasting Fear Ordinance Perpetual Placed Presence Prevail Roar Sand Sea Themselves Thereof Toss Tremble Waves Won't
Jeremiah 5
1. The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;
7. for their adultery;
10. for their impiety;
15. for their worship of idols;
19. for their contempt of God;
25. and for their great corruption in the civil state;
30. and ecclesiastical.














Do you not fear Me?
This phrase is a direct question from God, challenging the people of Israel. The Hebrew word for "fear" here is "yare," which encompasses a profound reverence and awe, not merely terror. In the biblical context, fearing God is foundational to wisdom and obedience (Proverbs 9:10). It implies recognizing God's supreme authority and holiness. Historically, Israel's fear of God was meant to set them apart from other nations, demonstrating a unique relationship with the Creator.

declares the LORD
The use of "declares" (Hebrew: "ne'um") signifies a solemn pronouncement. This is not a casual statement but a divine decree. "LORD" (YHWH) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. This phrase underscores the authority and seriousness of the message, reminding the audience of God's unchanging nature and His rightful place as the sovereign ruler.

Do you not tremble before Me
"Tremble" (Hebrew: "chul") conveys a physical manifestation of fear or reverence, akin to quaking or shaking. This reaction is expected when one is in the presence of something overwhelmingly powerful or majestic. In the biblical narrative, trembling before God is a common response to His divine presence (Exodus 19:16). It reflects an understanding of human frailty in contrast to God's omnipotence.

the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea
This imagery highlights God's creative power and sovereignty over nature. The "sand" as a "boundary" for the "sea" is a poetic expression found in ancient Near Eastern literature, symbolizing order over chaos. In Genesis, God separates the waters, establishing boundaries (Genesis 1:9-10). This act of setting limits is a testament to His control over creation, reinforcing His authority and the natural order He established.

an everlasting barrier it cannot cross?
The phrase "everlasting barrier" (Hebrew: "choq olam") suggests a permanent decree or statute. God's commands are enduring and unchangeable, reflecting His eternal nature. The sea, often a symbol of chaos, is restrained by God's command, illustrating His power to maintain order. This serves as a metaphor for God's ability to set moral and spiritual boundaries for humanity, which are meant to be respected and upheld.

Though the waves surge, they cannot prevail
"Waves" and "surge" evoke images of tumult and power, yet they "cannot prevail" against the boundaries set by God. This demonstrates the futility of opposing God's will. In a broader spiritual sense, it reassures believers of God's control over life's storms and challenges. Historically, this imagery would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with the sea's unpredictability, reinforcing trust in God's protective power.

Though they roar, they cannot cross it
The "roar" of the sea is a metaphor for the noise and chaos of rebellion against God. Despite their might and fury, these forces are ultimately powerless to transgress the limits God has established. This serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over all creation, including human affairs. It encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that no force can thwart His divine purposes.

(22) Which have placed the sand . . .--The greatness of Jehovah is shown by the majesty of His work in nature. As in Job 38:8-11, so, probably, here also there is something of the wonder of one to whom, as dwelling in an inland village, the billows breaking on the shore was an unfamiliar sight. Here was the token that even the forces which seem wildest and least restrained are subject to an overruling law. Even the sand which seems so shifting keeps in the surging waters.

Verse 22. - Fear ye not me? The Hebrew places "me" emphatically at the beginning of the sentence. By a perpetual decree. This is one of the evidences, few but sufficient, of the recognition of natural laws by the Biblical writers; of laws, however, which are but the description of the Divine mode of working, "covenants" (Jeremiah 33:20; comp. Genesis 9:18) made for man's good, but capable of being annulled (Isaiah 54:10). Comp. Proverbs 8:29; Job 38:8-12.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do you not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

fear Me?
תִירָ֜אוּ (ṯî·rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

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

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

Do you not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tremble
תָחִ֔ילוּ (ṯā·ḥî·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2342: To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervert

before Me,
מִפָּנַי֙ (mip·pā·nay)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

the One who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

set
שַׂ֤מְתִּי (śam·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the sand
חוֹל֙ (ḥō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2344: Sand

as the boundary
גְּב֣וּל (gə·ḇūl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1366: A cord, a boundary, the territory inclosed

of the sea,
לַיָּ֔ם (lay·yām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

an enduring
עוֹלָ֖ם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

barrier
חָק־ (ḥāq-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

it cannot
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cross?
יַעַבְרֶ֑נְהוּ (ya·‘aḇ·ren·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

The waves
גַלָּ֖יו (ḡal·lāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1530: Something rolled, a heap of stone, dung, a spring of water

surge,
וַיִּֽתְגָּעֲשׁוּ֙ (way·yiṯ·gā·‘ă·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1607: To agitate violently

but they cannot
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

prevail.
יוּכָ֔לוּ (yū·ḵā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

They roar
וְהָמ֥וּ (wə·hā·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

but cannot
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

cross it.
יַעַבְרֻֽנְהוּ׃ (ya·‘aḇ·run·hū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular, Paragogic nun
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:22 Don't you fear me? Says Yahweh: won't (Jer.)
Jeremiah 5:21
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