◄ Jeremiah 4:23 ►
I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light.
Study Bible
I looked
The Hebrew root for "looked" is "רָאָה" (ra'ah), which means to see, perceive, or consider. This word indicates a deep, prophetic vision given to Jeremiah, allowing him to perceive the spiritual and physical desolation of the land. In a conservative Christian perspective, this emphasizes the role of the prophet as a seer who is granted divine insight into the state of the world, both in its present condition and its potential future.

at the earth
The term "earth" in Hebrew is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can refer to the land, the ground, or the entire world. Here, it signifies the physical realm that God created, which is now observed in a state of chaos. This reflects the consequences of sin and rebellion against God, leading to a reversal of the order established in Genesis 1. The earth, once a place of beauty and order, is now depicted as desolate due to the people's disobedience.

and it was formless and void
The phrase "formless and void" is translated from the Hebrew "תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ" (tohu va-bohu), which is also found in Genesis 1:2. This phrase describes a state of chaos and emptiness, suggesting a return to pre-creation conditions. In a conservative Christian view, this serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, leading to spiritual and moral chaos akin to the primordial state before God's creative order was established.

I looked to the heavens
The "heavens" in Hebrew is "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim), referring to the sky or the celestial realm. Jeremiah's vision extends beyond the earth to the heavens, indicating a comprehensive view of creation. The heavens, which declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), are now depicted as lacking their usual brilliance. This suggests a cosmic impact of sin, affecting not just the earth but the entire created order.

and they had no light
The absence of "light" is significant, as light in the Bible often symbolizes God's presence, truth, and revelation. The Hebrew word for light is "אוֹר" (or). The lack of light in the heavens signifies a withdrawal of God's favor and presence, resulting in spiritual darkness. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the severity of judgment when humanity rejects God's light, leading to a state of spiritual blindness and desolation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of repentance and impending judgment.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience to God.

3. Creation Imagery
The verse uses language reminiscent of the creation account in Genesis, where the earth was initially "formless and void" before God brought order and light.

4. Impending Judgment
The context of this passage is a vision of desolation and chaos as a result of God's judgment on Judah for their sins.

5. Heavens and Earth
Symbolic of the totality of creation, often used in prophetic literature to emphasize the scope of God's power and the seriousness of His judgments.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sin
Sin leads to chaos and destruction, both spiritually and physically. Just as the earth was formless and void, so too can our lives become when we turn away from God.

God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God has the power to create and to judge. The imagery of a darkened heaven and a desolate earth reminds us of His ultimate authority over all things.

Call to Repentance
Jeremiah's vision serves as a warning to turn back to God. It is a call for self-examination and repentance in our own lives.

Hope in Restoration
While the imagery is bleak, it also points to the hope of restoration. Just as God brought order to the chaos in Genesis, He can bring healing and renewal to our lives.

Living in Light of Eternity
The temporary nature of earthly things should prompt us to focus on eternal truths and live in a way that honors God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "formless and void" in Jeremiah 4:23 relate to the creation account in Genesis, and what does this tell us about the effects of sin?

2. In what ways can we see the consequences of turning away from God in our own lives or society today?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty over creation impact our trust in Him during times of personal or global chaos?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in a way that reflects repentance and obedience to God?

5. How can the hope of restoration and renewal in Christ encourage us when we face the "darkness" in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:2
The phrase "formless and void" directly connects to the creation account, highlighting a return to chaos due to sin and judgment.

Isaiah 24:19-20
Similar imagery of the earth being broken and shaken, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment.

Revelation 6:12-14
Describes cosmic disturbances during the end times, echoing the imagery of a darkened heaven and a disrupted earth.
Sermons
The Proclamation of WoeS. Conway Jeremiah 4:5-31
The Alarm of WarG. Lawson.Jeremiah 4:19-26
The Prophet's Lamentations Over His People's DoomT. Herren, D. D.Jeremiah 4:19-26
WarJ. M. Lang, D. D.Jeremiah 4:19-26
The Fellowship of Christ's SufferingsS. Conway Jeremiah 4:19-30
A Surely Coming Confession Compelling a Present Serious QuestionS. Conway Jeremiah 4:20, 30
A Threatened Return from Cosmos to ChaosD. Young Jeremiah 4:23-27
People
Dan, Jeremiah
Places
Dan, Jerusalem, Mount Ephraim, Zion
Topics
Beheld, Behold, Empty, Form, Formless, Heavens, Void, Waste
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 4:23

     5845   emptiness

Jeremiah 4:23-26

     4203   earth, the
     4254   mountains
     5508   ruins

Library
The Wailing of Risca
You all know the story; it scarce needs that I should tell it to you. Last Saturday week some two hundred or more miners descended in health and strength to their usual work in the bowels of the earth. They had not been working long, their wives and their children had risen, and their little ones had gone to their schools, when suddenly there was heard a noise at the mouth of the pit;--it was an explosion,--all knew what it meant. Men's hearts failed them, for well they prophesied the horror which …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

How those are to be Admonished who Sin from Sudden Impulse and those who Sin Deliberately.
(Admonition 33.). Differently to be admonished are those who are overcome by sudden passion and those who are bound in guilt of set purpose. For those whom sudden passion overcomes are to be admonished to regard themselves as daily set in the warfare of the present life, and to protect the heart, which cannot foresee wounds, with the shield of anxious fear; to dread the hidden darts of the ambushed foe, and, in so dark a contest, to guard with continual attention the inward camp of the soul. For, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the Flesh,"
Rom. viii. 4, 5.--"Who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh," &c. If there were nothing else to engage our hearts to religion, I think this might do it, that there is so much reason in it. Truly it is the most rational thing in the world, except some revealed mysteries of faith, which are far above reason, but not contrary to it. There is nothing besides in it, but that which is the purest reason. Even that part of it which is most difficult to man, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" 2 Chron. vi. 18. It was the wonder of one of the wisest of men, and indeed, considering his infinite highness above the height of heavens, his immense and incomprehensible greatness, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, and then the baseness, emptiness, and worthlessness of man, it may be a wonder to the …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision B. Jesus Talks with Nicodemus. ^D John III. 1-21. ^d 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [Nicodemus is mentioned only by John. His character is marked by a prudence amounting almost to timidity. At John vii. 50-52 he defends Jesus, but without committing himself as in any way interested in him: at John xix. 38, 39 he brought spices for the body of Jesus, but only after Joseph of Arimathæa had secured the body. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Jeremiah 4:23 NIV
Jeremiah 4:23 NLT
Jeremiah 4:23 ESV
Jeremiah 4:23 NASB
Jeremiah 4:23 KJV

Jeremiah 4:23 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 4:22
Top of Page
Top of Page