Jeremiah 16:16

But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.

Study Bible

But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD,
In this phrase, the imagery of "fishermen" is significant. In the ancient Near East, fishing was a common occupation, and fishermen were known for their patience and skill. Here, God is using this metaphor to describe how He will gather His people or execute judgment. The idea of God sending fishermen suggests a deliberate and methodical approach. This imagery is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus calls His disciples to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), indicating a gathering of people for God's kingdom. The declaration by the LORD emphasizes divine authority and intentionality in this action.

and they will catch them.
The phrase "and they will catch them" implies success and inevitability in the task assigned by God. In the context of Jeremiah, this likely refers to the impending judgment and exile of the people of Judah. The certainty of being "caught" underscores the inescapability of God's judgment. This can also be seen as a foreshadowing of the final judgment, where all will be accountable before God. The act of catching suggests a thorough and complete gathering, leaving no one behind.

After that I will send for many hunters,
The transition from fishermen to hunters indicates a shift in method and intensity. Hunters, unlike fishermen, actively pursue their prey, often in more challenging terrains. This suggests a more aggressive and relentless pursuit. In the historical context, this could refer to the Babylonian forces that would invade and capture Judah. The use of hunters also implies that those who try to hide or escape will be sought out. This imagery is consistent with the theme of divine retribution found throughout the prophetic books.

and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill,
Mountains and hills in biblical times were often places of refuge and worship, sometimes associated with idolatry (e.g., high places). The mention of these locations indicates that no place will be safe from God's judgment. The thoroughness of the hunt signifies that God's reach is all-encompassing, and His justice will be executed everywhere. This can be connected to the idea that God's presence and authority extend over all creation, as seen in Psalm 139:7-10, where the psalmist acknowledges that there is no place to hide from God.

even from the clefts of the rocks.
Clefts of the rocks were natural hiding places, often used for protection and concealment. The reference to these locations highlights the futility of trying to escape God's judgment. It suggests that even the most secure and hidden places will not provide safety from divine retribution. This imagery is reminiscent of the end times described in Revelation 6:15-17, where people seek to hide in caves and among the rocks from the wrath of the Lamb. It underscores the theme of God's omniscience and omnipotence, where nothing is hidden from His sight.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through Jeremiah to convey His plans and purposes.

3. Fishermen and Hunters
Metaphorical agents used by God to gather and pursue the people of Israel, symbolizing different methods of divine intervention.

4. Mountains, Hills, and Clefts of the Rocks
Geographic features symbolizing places of refuge or hiding, indicating that no place is beyond God's reach.

Teaching Points

Divine Sovereignty
God is in control of all events and uses various means to accomplish His purposes, whether through judgment or redemption.

Inescapability of God's Judgment
Just as fishermen and hunters are thorough in their pursuit, God's judgment is comprehensive and unavoidable.

Call to Repentance
The imagery serves as a warning to turn back to God before judgment comes, highlighting the urgency of repentance.

God's Relentless Pursuit
While the context is judgment, the broader biblical account shows God's relentless pursuit of His people for redemption.

Symbolism of Fishermen and Hunters
These roles can also symbolize the church's mission to seek out and bring people to God, transforming judgment imagery into a call for evangelism.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the imagery of fishermen and hunters in Jeremiah 16:16 reflect God's methods of dealing with His people?

2. In what ways can the concept of divine judgment in this passage be seen as a call to repentance for us today?

3. How does the use of geographic features like mountains and hills in this verse emphasize the inescapability of God's reach?

4. How can the transformation of the "fishermen" imagery from judgment in Jeremiah to evangelism in the New Testament inspire our mission as Christians?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are responding to God's call for repentance and aligning ourselves with His purposes?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Amos 4:2
This verse also uses the imagery of fishermen to describe God's judgment, emphasizing the inevitability of divine intervention.

Matthew 4:19
Jesus calls His disciples to be "fishers of men," which can be seen as a redemptive parallel to the judgment imagery in Jeremiah.

Ezekiel 29:4-5
Similar imagery of fishing is used to describe God's judgment on Egypt, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty over nations.

Revelation 6:15-17
The imagery of people hiding in rocks and mountains during the end times echoes the inescapability of God's judgment.