Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Who is wise enough to understand this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it? Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross? New Living Translation Who is wise enough to understand all this? Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it to others? Why has the land been so ruined that no one dares to travel through it? English Standard Version Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? Berean Standard Bible Who is the man wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through it? King James Bible Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? New King James Version Who is the wise man who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why does the land perish and burn up like a wilderness, so that no one can pass through? New American Standard Bible Who is the wise person who may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land destroyed, laid waste like the desert, so that no one passes through? NASB 1995 Who is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through? NASB 1977 Who is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a desert, so that no one passes through? Legacy Standard Bible Who is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh has spoken, that he may declare it? Why has the land perished, turned into ruin like a desert, so that no one passes through? Amplified Bible Who is the wise man who may understand this [without any doubt]? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, so that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined, laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? Christian Standard Bible Who is the person wise enough to understand this? Who has the LORD spoken to, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a wilderness, so no one can pass through? Holman Christian Standard Bible Who is the man wise enough to understand this? Who has the LORD spoken to, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a wilderness, so no one can pass through? American Standard Version Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken, that he may declare it? wherefore is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through? Contemporary English Version I said to the LORD, "None of us can understand why the land has become like an uncrossable desert. Won't you explain why?" English Revised Version Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it? wherefore is the land and perished burned up like a wilderness, so that none passeth through? GOD'S WORD® Translation No one is wise enough to understand this. To whom has the LORD revealed this so that they can explain it? The land dies; it has been ruined like the desert so that no one can travel through it. Good News Translation I asked, "LORD, why is the land devastated and dry as a desert, so that no one travels through it? Who is wise enough to understand this? To whom have you explained it so that they can tell others?" International Standard Version Who is the wise person who understands this, and to whom has the LORD spoken so that he may declare it? Why is the land destroyed, ruined like the desert, without anyone passing through it? Majority Standard Bible Who is the man wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through it? NET Bible I said, "Who is wise enough to understand why this has happened? Who has a word from the LORD that can explain it? Why does the land lie in ruins? Why is it as scorched as a desert through which no one travels?" New Heart English Bible "Who is the wise man, that may understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that none passes through?" Webster's Bible Translation Who is the wise man that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through? World English Bible Who is wise enough to understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh has spoken, that he may declare it? Why has the land perished and burned up like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho [is] the wise man? And he understands this, "" And he to whom the mouth of YHWH spoke? And he declares it, "" For why has the land perished? It has been burned up as a wilderness, "" Without any passing through. Young's Literal Translation Who is the wise man? and he understandeth this, And he to whom the mouth of Jehovah spake? And he doth declare it, For what hath the land perished? It hath been burnt up as a wilderness, Without any passing through. Smith's Literal Translation Who the wise man and he will understand this? and which the mouth of Jehovah spake to him, and he will announce it, for what the land perished it was burnt as the desert, from not being passed through. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho is the wise man, that may understand this, and to whom the word of the mouth of the Lord may come that he may declare this, why the land hath perished, and is burnt up like a wilderness, which none passeth through? Catholic Public Domain Version Who is the wise man who understands this, and to whom a word from the mouth of the Lord may be given, so that he may announce this: why the land has perished, and has been scorched like a desert, so much so that no one passes through it?” New American Bible Who is wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken? Let him declare it! Why is the land ravaged, scorched like a wilderness no one crosses? New Revised Standard Version Who is wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, so that they may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho is the wise man that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it, why is the land perished and become desolate like a wilderness so that no one passes through it? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Who is the man who is wise? He shall perceive this, and upon whom is the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH? He shall reveal it to him. Why has the land come to nothing and is desolate as the wilderness which is without one passing through?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Who is the wise man, that he may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it? Wherefore is the land perished And laid waste like a wilderness, so that none passeth through? Brenton Septuagint Translation Who is the wise man, that he may understand this? and he that has the word of the mouth of the Lord addressed to him, let him tell you wherefore the land has been destroyed, has been ravaged by fire like a desert, so that no one passes through it. Audio Bible Context A Lament over Zion…11“And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” 12Who is the man wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through it? 13And the LORD answered, “It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not walked in it or obeyed My voice.… Cross References Isaiah 6:9-10 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Hosea 4:1-6 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. ... Deuteronomy 29:24-28 So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ / And the people will answer, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. / They went and served other gods, and they worshiped gods they had not known—gods that the LORD had not given to them. ... Isaiah 42:24-25 Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? They were unwilling to walk in His ways, and they would not obey His law. / So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart. 2 Kings 22:13 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.” Ezekiel 22:29-31 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. / I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one. / So I have poured out My indignation upon them and consumed them with the fire of My fury. I have brought their ways down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.” Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Micah 3:9-12 Now hear this, O leaders of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and pervert all that is right, / who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. / Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” ... Matthew 13:14-15 In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Romans 11:8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Acts 28:26-27 ‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’ Isaiah 5:13 Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst. Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them. Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. Treasury of Scripture Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD has spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perishes and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passes through? the wise. Deuteronomy 32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Psalm 107:43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. for. Jeremiah 5:19,20 And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours… Jeremiah 16:10-13 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God? … Jeremiah 22:8,9 And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? … Jump to Previous Able Burned Burnt Declare Desert Enough Goes Instructed Laid Mouth Passes Passeth Perished Perisheth Ruined Understand Understandeth Waste Wherefore Wilderness Wise WordJump to Next Able Burned Burnt Declare Desert Enough Goes Instructed Laid Mouth Passes Passeth Perished Perisheth Ruined Understand Understandeth Waste Wherefore Wilderness Wise WordJeremiah 9 1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;9. and for their judgment. 12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity. 17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction; 23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God. 25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles. Who is the man wise enough to understand this? This phrase challenges the reader to seek wisdom and understanding, echoing the biblical theme that true wisdom comes from God. The Hebrew word for "wise" is "חָכָם" (chakam), which implies not just intellectual knowledge but a deep, God-given insight. In the context of Jeremiah, this wisdom is necessary to comprehend the reasons behind God's judgment on Judah. Historically, wisdom literature in the Bible, such as Proverbs, emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This phrase invites the reader to reflect on their own pursuit of wisdom and understanding in light of divine revelation. To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through? That none passeth through.--The English is ambiguous. "That" stands either for a relative with "wilderness" as its antecedent, or as a conjunction equivalent to "so that." Better, and none there is that passeth through. Verse 12. - For what the land perisheth. A closer rendering would be more forcible: Wherefore hath the land perished, is it burned up like the wilderness with none that passeth throughParallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whoמִֽי־ (mî-) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix is the man הָאִ֤ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person wise הֶֽחָכָם֙ (he·ḥā·ḵām) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2450: Wise enough to understand וְיָבֵ֣ן (wə·yā·ḇên) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand this? זֹ֔את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, To whom וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר (wa·’ă·šer) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that has the mouth פִּֽי־ (pî-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel spoken, דִּבֶּ֧ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue that he may explain it? וְיַגִּדָ֑הּ (wə·yag·gi·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous Why עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against is the land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land destroyed אָבְדָ֣ה (’ā·ḇə·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish and scorched נִצְּתָ֥ה (niṣ·ṣə·ṯāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3341: To burn, set on fire, to desolate like a desert, כַמִּדְבָּ֖ר (ḵam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech so no מִבְּלִ֖י (mib·bə·lî) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as one can pass through it? עֹבֵֽר׃ (‘ō·ḇêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on Links Jeremiah 9:12 NIVJeremiah 9:12 NLT Jeremiah 9:12 ESV Jeremiah 9:12 NASB Jeremiah 9:12 KJV Jeremiah 9:12 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 9:12 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 9:12 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 9:12 French Bible Jeremiah 9:12 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:12 Who is the wise man that may (Jer.) |
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