Jeremiah 16:16
“Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the LORD, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals a subtle but powerful progression: first, God sends "fishers" to capture people from their settlements like fish in a net, and then, after this initial capture, He sends "hunters" to relentlessly pursue any who have fled and are hiding in the most remote places. This highlights that escape will be virtually impossible, as every hiding spot will be found and exploited.
In the preceding verses, Jeremiah has declared that the coming judgment on Judah will be so severe that the exodus from Egypt will be overshadowed. Now, he elaborates on the totality of this impending destruction, describing how God will unleash enemies who will "fish" for the people in their cities and "hunt" them in their remote hiding places. This vivid imagery highlights the inescapable nature of the coming judgment, leaving no one hidden or safe.
God declares He is actively 'sending' agents of judgment. It's not a random event, but a divinely orchestrated pursuit.
Jeremiah 16:16 uses powerful imagery to describe God's judgment. He says, 'Behold, I am sending for many fishers... and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them.'
This isn't about God passively watching or being surprised by evil. It's about Him actively initiating and directing the forces that will bring consequences. The use of 'send for' (or 'I will send' as some translations read) implies a summoning, an enlistment. God is calling forth His instruments of judgment, much like a king might summon his armies.
The imagery of 'fishers' and 'hunters' highlights the comprehensive nature of this judgment. No one will escape. The 'fishers' represent a more organized, encompassing capture, like dragging a net across a population. The 'hunters' signify a relentless pursuit, tracking down even those who flee to the most hidden places.
From the bustling cities to the remote wilderness, no hiding place will be found. God’s judgment is both thorough and pervasive.
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The verse paints a vivid picture of total pursuit. First, the 'fishers' come. This suggests a method of capture that is widespread and efficient, drawing people out from their communities and strongholds, much like a net engulfs a school of fish. Imagine the cities and towns being ‘fished’—people being rounded up with little chance of evasion.
Then, the 'hunters' are sent. These are for those who try to escape the initial net. They will be hunted 'from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.' This speaks to a relentless pursuit into the most remote and hidden places. Whether someone tries to flee to the wilderness, the highlands, or secret caves, God’s agents will find them.
This duality of fishing and hunting underscores that escape is impossible. God's judgment will miss no one, no matter how they try to hide or evade.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His faithfulness and self-existence to His people.
The imagery of 'fishers' and 'hunters' powerfully conveys the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the Babylonian conquest and exile. God uses these images to show His people that their enemies will pursue them relentlessly, driving them from their homes and hiding places, much like a net captures fish or hunters track game.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and scattering them across the empire. This event serves as a stark warning of what awaits the southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire conquer Judah, initiating a series of deportations. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, during which many prominent citizens, including the prophet Daniel, are taken captive.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Babylon deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, following another siege of Jerusalem. This further diminishes the population and resources of Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy. The majority of the remaining population is deported to Babylon, leaving Judah largely desolate.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Babylonian Empire. This ushers in a new era where exiled peoples, including the Judeans, are allowed to return to their homelands.
538 BC onwards
Return from Exile
Under the decree of Cyrus, many Judeans begin returning to Jerusalem, laying the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of the community.
This passage uses a similar metaphor of being caught in a net, describing how the wicked shall be ensnared by God's judgment, just as Jeremiah's people will be caught by 'fishers'.
Amos 4:2Amos also describes God sending 'hunters' to capture a disobedient people, echoing Jeremiah's imagery of relentless pursuit and capture from every hiding place.
Habakkuk 1:15This verse directly parallels the 'fisher' imagery, stating that the enemy 'catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag,' highlighting the inescapable nature of God's judgment through invading armies.
Matthew 4:18-19While Jeremiah uses 'fishers' for judgment, Jesus later adapts the imagery to call disciples, turning a symbol of destruction into one of salvation and spiritual capture for the Kingdom of God.
Luke 5:10This account of Jesus calling his first disciples also uses the 'fisher of men' metaphor, showing how divine pursuit can lead to transformation, a stark contrast to Jeremiah's message of judgment through pursuit.
barnesJeremiah 16:16: "Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks."
The scattering of the people is to be like that of hunted animals, of which but few escape, the ancient method of hunting being to enclose a large space with beaters and nets, and so drive everything within it to some place where it was destroyed. The destruc…
calvinJeremiah 16:16: "Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks."
Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
Ecce ego mitto ad piscatores…
This verse reveals a subtle but powerful progression: first, God sends "fishers" to capture people from their settlements like fish in a net, and then, after this initial capture, He sends "hunters" to relentlessly pursue any who have fled and are hiding in the most remote places. This highlights that escape will be virtually impossible, as every hiding spot will be found and exploited.
In the preceding verses, Jeremiah has declared that the coming judgment on Judah will be so severe that the exodus from Egypt will be overshadowed. Now, he elaborates on the totality of this impending destruction, describing how God will unleash enemies who will "fish" for the people in their cities and "hunt" them in their remote hiding places. This vivid imagery highlights the inescapable nature of the coming judgment, leaving no one hidden or safe.
In the preceding verses, Jeremiah has declared that the coming judgment on Judah will be so severe that the exodus from Egypt will be overshadowed. Now, he elaborates on the totality of this impending destruction, describing how God will unleash enemies who will "fish" for the people in their cities and "hunt" them in their remote hiding places. This vivid imagery highlights the inescapable nature of the coming judgment, leaving no one hidden or safe.
"“Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the LORD, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks." — This verse reveals a subtle but powerful progression: first, God sends "fishers" to capture people from their settlements like fish in a net, and then, after this initial capture, He sends "hunters…
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