Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as just a general threat of destruction, but notice how God specifies "man and beast, and the trees of the field, and the fruit of the ground." This isn't just about punishing people; God's judgment will fall on the whole creation because it's so intimately tied to humanity's sin and will ultimately share in its redemption. It shows how deeply sin corrupts everything, even the natural world.
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah has just been commanded by God not to pray for this people because their destruction is certain. Now, the prophet is explaining why this judgment is unavoidable: the people's persistent sin and idolatry have provoked God's intense anger. This divine fury will utterly consume Jerusalem, its inhabitants, and even the land and its produce, symbolizing a complete and unquenchable devastation.
Why does God's judgment extend to animals and trees, not just people? This verse reveals a profound connection between humanity and the rest of creation.
Jeremiah 7:20 declares that God's anger will be poured out 'upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground.' This isn't just about human sin causing trouble for pets or houseplants. The ancient worldview, reflected here and in passages like Romans 8, understood creation as deeply intertwined with humanity. When humanity, made in God's image and given dominion, falls into sin, it impacts the entire created order.
Think of it like this: when the foundational pillar of a house cracks, the whole structure suffers. In a similar way, humanity's sin 'corrupted its way upon the earth,' affecting the natural world that was meant to thrive under our care. God's judgment, therefore, extends to all creation to demonstrate the full, devastating scope of human rebellion and to show how deeply displeasing sin is to Him. It's a cosmic tragedy, not just a human one.
What does it mean for God's anger to be 'poured out' and 'not be quenched'? This imagery speaks to the terrifying reality and thoroughness of divine judgment.
The prophecy states that God's anger and fury 'shall burn and not be quenched.' This isn't a fleeting irritation; it's a consuming, persistent judgment. The imagery of pouring out, like a devastating flood or fiery downpour, signifies its overwhelming abundance and inescapable nature. It’s meant to convey that this judgment won't be turned away by prayers, rituals, or human efforts.
'Not be quenched' means it cannot be extinguished. This speaks to the severity and finality of the judgment God is bringing upon this place and its people. It’s a potent reminder that sin has real consequences, and God’s justice, while often patient, is also powerful and, when fully unleashed, unstoppable until its purpose is fulfilled. This unquenchable wrath serves as a stark warning against continued disobedience.
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Understand the original words
aph · Hebrew Noun
God's settled, righteous opposition to sin and rebellion; it is the holy reaction of a perfect God against all that opposes His will and character.
chemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, active expression of divine judgment; it is often compared to fire that consumes what is unholy or deserving of destruction.
This verse speaks of God's judgment being poured out on Jerusalem, a judgment so complete that all of creation—man, beast, trees, and fruit—suffers. This imagery reflects the devastating Babylonian conquest and destruction of the city in 586 BC, highlighting how human sin affects the entire created order.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This serves as a stark warning of God's judgment on unfaithfulness.
626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah, delivering messages of impending doom due to their sin and idolatry.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms and Discovery of Law
King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law, leading to a religious reformation. However, the reforms are superficial for many, and true repentance is lacking.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and carries away notable citizens and treasures, including members of the royal family. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's population and King Jehoiachin to Babylon. Jeremiah continues to warn against false hopes.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Southern Kingdom of Judah and exiling most of its remaining population. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecies of judgment.
This passage describes God pouring out fire and sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah, directly paralleling the 'pouring out' of God's anger and fury that 'shall burn and not be quenched' in Jeremiah.
Romans 8:20Paul echoes the idea that creation itself groans under the weight of human sin and corruption, showing how the destruction of nature mentioned in Jeremiah is a consequence that extends beyond humanity.
Isaiah 42:25This verse describes God's 'burning anger' being poured out and consuming the land, a powerful image that directly connects to the unstoppable, fiery wrath described in Jeremiah's prophecy.
2 Chronicles 34:21This passage mentions Josiah hearing the words of the Law and the wrath of God against those who had not obeyed, directly linking the hearing of divine judgment with the 'anger and fury' spoken of by Jeremiah.
Luke 12:49Jesus speaks of the 'fire' he came to cast upon the earth, a different kind of fire than judgment, but it highlights the powerful, consuming nature of divine action that can be unleashed.
barnesJeremiah 7:20: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched."
Upon man, and upon beast - All creation in some mysterious way shares in man's fall and restoration Romans 8:19-22 .
pulpitJeremiah 7:20: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched."
Verse 20. - Upon man, and upon beast. That all creation shares in the curse of man is repeatedly affirmed in the Old Testament as well as the New. Inferentially, this doctrine appears from the narrative of the Fall, and still more clearly f…
It's easy to read this as just a general threat of destruction, but notice how God specifies "man and beast, and the trees of the field, and the fruit of the ground." This isn't just about punishing people; God's judgment will fall on the whole creation because it's so intimately tied to humanity's sin and will ultimately share in its redemption. It shows how deeply sin corrupts everything, even the natural world.
Jeremiah has just been commanded by God not to pray for this people because their destruction is certain. Now, the prophet is explaining why this judgment is unavoidable: the people's persistent sin and idolatry have provoked God's intense anger. This divine fury will utterly consume Jerusalem, its inhabitants, and even the land and its produce, symbolizing a complete and unquenchable devastation.
Jeremiah has just been commanded by God not to pray for this people because their destruction is certain. Now, the prophet is explaining why this judgment is unavoidable: the people's persistent sin and idolatry have provoked God's intense anger. This divine fury will utterly consume Jerusalem, its inhabitants, and even the land and its produce, symbolizing a complete and unquenchable devastation.
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, upon man and beast, upon the trees of the field and the fruit of the ground; it will burn and not be quenched.”" — It's easy to read this as just a general threat of destruction, but notice how God specifies "man and beast, and the trees of the field, and the fruit of the ground." This isn't just about puni…
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Last reviewed October 2026