Jeremiah 5:30 Meaning and Explanation
“A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Something shocking and terrible has occurred in the land—a summary statement introducing the final indictment.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:30
Jeremiah announces that something shocking and terrible has occurred in the land, introducing the final indictment.
What Does Jeremiah 5:30 Mean?
The verse marks the beginning of the chapter's conclusion. 'Wonderful and horrible' captures the shocking nature of what has transpired. A 'wonderful' thing here means astonishing, unbelievable—something that stands out by its enormity. This 'horrible' astonishment refers to the complete corruption described throughout the chapter: religious faithlessness, social injustice, oppression of the vulnerable, and perversion of justice.
The incomplete sentence structure—ending with a semicolon—creates suspension and leads directly to the final verse's explanation. The incomplete thought forces the reader forward to hear what this 'horrible thing' specifically is. It is both a summary of everything that has come before and a transition to the final, most comprehensive indictment of the chapter.
Jeremiah 5:30 in the Original Language
nipla'ah (נִפְלְאָה), 'wonderful' — astonishing, marvelous, amazing; here used ironically to mean something shocking and terrible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:30
What does Jeremiah 5:30 mean?
Something shocking and terrible has occurred in the land—a summary statement introducing the final indictment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:30?
Jeremiah announces that something shocking and terrible has occurred in the land, introducing the final indictment.