Jeremiah 17:4
And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.
Jeremiah 17:4 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from Jeremiah 17:4 speaks about the consequences of disobedience and turning away from God. The verse suggests that as a result of their actions, the people of Israel will be removed from their promised land and forced to serve their enemies in a foreign land. This punishment is a result of the people's continuous rebellion against God and their refusal to follow His commands. The imagery of kindling a fire in God's anger emphasizes the depth of His disappointment in their actions and the severity of the consequences they will face. Despite this, the verse also hints at the possibility of redemption and forgiveness, as God's anger is described as burning forever, suggesting that there is a chance for reconciliation if the people turn back to Him in repentance.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of this verse from the book of Jeremiah is that it serves as a warning to the Israelites about the consequences of turning away from God and disobeying His commands. In this verse, God is expressing His anger towards the Israelites for their disobedience and warns them that they will discontinue from their heritage and be forced to serve their enemies in a foreign land. The phrase "ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever" emphasizes the seriousness of the Israelites' actions and the lasting consequences of their disobedience. This verse highlights the importance of remaining faithful to God and following His will to avoid experiencing His wrath and the negative consequences that may result from turning away from Him.
Jeremiah 17:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
And thou, even of thyself, shalt discontinue from thy heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger which shall burn for ever.
World English Bible
You, even of yourself, shall discontinue from your heritage that I gave you; and I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you don’t know: for you have kindled a fire in my anger which shall burn forever.
Douay-Rheims
And thou shalt be left stripped of thy inheritance, which I gave thee: and I will make thee serve thy enemies in a land which thou knowest not: because thou hast kindled a fire in my wrath, it shall burn for ever.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt rest, and in thee shall be a rest from thine heritage that I gaue thee, and I will cause thee to serue thine enemies in the land, which thou knowest not: for yee haue kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burne for euer.