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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 8:17 "For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you," declares the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/24_Jer_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 8:17 - Judah's Sin and Punishment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you, declares the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/8-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/8-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/8-16.htm" title="Jeremiah 8:16">◄</a> Jeremiah 8:17 <a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm" title="Jeremiah 8:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220See, I will send venomous snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will send these enemy troops among you like poisonous snakes you cannot charm. They will bite you, and you will die. I, the LORD, have spoken!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For behold, I am sending among you serpents, adders that cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which <i>will</i> not <i>be</i> charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“For behold, I will send serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, And they shall bite you,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“For behold, I am sending serpents among you, Vipers for which there is no charm; And they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For behold, I am sending serpents against you, Adders, for which there is no charm, And they will bite you,&#8221 declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For behold, I am sending serpents against you, Adders, for which there is no charm, And they will bite you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“For behold, I am sending serpents against you, Vipers, for which there is no charm, And they will bite you,” declares Yahweh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“For behold, I am sending serpents among you, Vipers which cannot be charmed, And they will bite you,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, I am about to send snakes among you, poisonous vipers that cannot be charmed. They will bite you. This is the LORD’s declaration.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, I am about to send snakes among you, poisonous vipers that cannot be charmed. They will bite you. This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For, behold, I will send serpents, adders, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Watch out!" the LORD says. "I'm sending poisonous snakes to attack you, and no one can stop them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For, behold, I will send serpents, basilisks, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I am going to send snakes among you, vipers that can't be charmed. They will bite you," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Watch out!" the LORD says, "I am sending snakes among you, poisonous snakes that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look, I'll send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they'll bite you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,? declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD says, "Yes indeed, I am sending an enemy against you that will be like poisonous snakes which cannot be charmed away. And they will inflict fatal wounds on you." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For, look, I will send serpents, adders, among you, which will not be charmed; and they shall bite you," says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“For, behold, I will send serpents, adders among you, which will not be charmed; and they will bite you,” says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For behold, I am sending serpents among you, "" Vipers that have no charmer, "" And they have bitten you,” "" A declaration of YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For, lo, I am sending among you serpents, Vipers that have no charmer, And they have bitten you, an affirmation of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For behold me sending serpents, vipers among you, which to them no hissing, and they bit you, says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For behold I will send among you serpents, basilisks, against which there is no charm: and they shall bite you, saith the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For behold, I will send among you serpents, king snakes, against which there is no charm, and they will bite you, says the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yes, I will send against you poisonous snakes. Against them no charm will work when they bite you—oracle of the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />See, I am letting snakes loose among you, adders that cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For, behold, I will send ferocious serpents among you, which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you, says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because, behold, I am sending serpents to you, dragons that are not susceptible to charming, and they shall bite you, says LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For, behold, I will send serpents, basilisks, among you, Which will not be charmed; And they shall bite you, saith the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For, behold, I send forth against you deadly serpents, which cannot be charmed, and they shall bite you<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=2676" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Judah's Sin and Punishment</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>The snorting of enemy horses is heard from Dan. At the sound of the neighing of mighty steeds, the whole land quakes. They come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who dwell in it. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“For</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: mə·šal·lê·aḥ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">I will send</a> <a href="/hebrew/5175.htm" title="5175: nə·ḥā·šîm (N-mp) -- A serpent. From nachash; a snake.">snakes</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">among you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6848.htm" title="6848: ṣip̄·‘ō·nîm (N-mp) -- A serpent. From an unused root meaning to extrude; a viper.">vipers</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3908.htm" title="3908: lā·ḥaš (N-ms) -- From lachash; properly, a whisper, i.e. By implication, a private prayer, an incantation; concretely, an amulet.">be charmed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5391.htm" title="5391: wə·niš·šə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to strike with a sting; figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan.">and they will bite</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Numbers 21:6</a></span><br />So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Deuteronomy 32:24</a></span><br />They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-3.htm">Amos 9:3</a></span><br />Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4</a></span><br />Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-19.htm">Revelation 9:19</a></span><br />For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-6.htm">Isaiah 30:6</a></span><br />This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a></span><br />Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Mark 16:18</a></span><br />they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a></span><br />They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3</a></span><br />I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-14.htm">Genesis 3:14-15</a></span><br />So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly will you go, and dust you will eat, all the days of your life. / And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-17.htm">Micah 7:17</a></span><br />They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles slithering on the ground. They will come trembling from their strongholds in the presence of the LORD our God; they will tremble in fear of You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Isaiah 59:5</a></span><br />They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, said the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">I will.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Deuteronomy 32:24</a></b></br> <i>They shall be</i> burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29</a></b></br> Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit <i>shall be</i> a fiery flying serpent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Amos 5:19</a></b></br> As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.</p><p class="hdg">which.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/58-4.htm">Psalm 58:4,5</a></b></br> Their poison <i>is</i> like the poison of a serpent: <i>they are</i> like the deaf adder <i>that</i> stoppeth her ear; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:11</a></b></br> Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Adders</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Basilisks</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Bite</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-30.htm">Charm</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-11.htm">Charmed</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Charmer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-15.htm">Poison-Snakes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Power</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-25.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Venomous</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Vipers</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-3.htm">Wonder-Worker</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-11.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Adders</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-5.htm">Basilisks</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Bite</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-8.htm">Charm</a> <a href="/mark/6-22.htm">Charmed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Charmer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-6.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Poison-Snakes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Power</a> <a href="/jeremiah/16-16.htm">Sending</a> <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Serpents</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Venomous</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Vipers</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Wonder-Worker</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-8.htm">Wounds</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-1.htm">The calamity of the Jews, both dead and alive.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-4.htm">He upbraids their foolish and shameless impenitency.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">He shows their grievous judgment;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm">and bewails their desperate estate.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For behold, I will send snakes among you</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct action from God, emphasizing His sovereignty and control over creation. The imagery of snakes is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing danger, judgment, or evil. In the context of Jeremiah, God is using this metaphor to convey impending judgment upon the people of Judah for their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The sending of snakes can be seen as a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where disobedience leads to various calamities. Historically, the people of Judah were familiar with the threat of snakes in their environment, making this a vivid and relatable warning.<p><b>vipers that cannot be charmed</b><br>Vipers are a specific type of venomous snake, known for their deadly bite. The mention of vipers that cannot be charmed suggests an inescapable and relentless judgment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, snake charming was a known practice, symbolizing control over dangerous creatures. By stating that these vipers cannot be charmed, the text underscores the futility of human efforts to avert divine judgment. This phrase highlights the seriousness of the situation and the inevitability of God's punishment when His people refuse to repent.<p><b>and they will bite you</b><br>The biting of the vipers represents the direct consequences of the people's sin. In biblical symbolism, a snake bite often signifies sudden and unavoidable harm. This imagery is reminiscent of the fiery serpents sent among the Israelites in the wilderness (<a href="/numbers/21-6.htm">Numbers 21:6</a>), where the people's rebellion led to a deadly plague of snakes. The bite serves as a metaphor for the pain and suffering that result from turning away from God. It also points to the need for repentance and reliance on God's mercy for healing and restoration.<p><b>declares the LORD</b><br>This phrase affirms the authority and certainty of the message. When the LORD declares something, it is a divine pronouncement that will surely come to pass. The use of "declares the LORD" throughout the prophetic books serves to remind the audience that the words spoken by the prophet are not his own, but are the very words of God. This underscores the seriousness of the warning and the need for the people to heed the message. It also reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God communicates His will and expectations through His prophets.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet 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 judgment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who is both just and merciful. He is the one declaring the judgment through Jeremiah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/snakes/vipers.htm">Snakes/Vipers</a></b><br>Symbolic of imminent danger and judgment. In the context of Jeremiah, they represent the unavoidable consequences of Judah's sin.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/charming.htm">Charming</a></b><br>Refers to the practice of controlling or pacifying snakes, symbolizing the futility of trying to avoid God's judgment through human means.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_divine_judgment.htm">The Certainty of Divine Judgment</a></b><br>God's warnings through His prophets are not idle threats. The imagery of snakes that cannot be charmed underscores the certainty and inevitability of divine judgment when His people persist in sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_solutions.htm">The Futility of Human Solutions</a></b><br>Just as the vipers cannot be charmed, human efforts to escape or mitigate God's judgment without genuine repentance are futile. True deliverance comes only through turning back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The purpose of God's warnings is to lead His people to repentance. Recognizing the seriousness of sin and its consequences should drive us to seek God's mercy and forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>The LORD's declaration of sending vipers highlights His sovereign control over creation and His just nature. He uses even the natural world to accomplish His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_judgment.htm">Hope Beyond Judgment</a></b><br>While the immediate context is one of judgment, the broader biblical account assures us of God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration for those who turn to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_god_vs._satan.htm">What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_we_imitate_god.htm">What does 'God's Outstretched Arm' symbolize?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_swear_by_himself.htm">If God is omnipotent, why does He need to swear by Himself to carry out judgment (Amos 6:8)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/have_you_remembered_the_lord_today.htm">What did Jesus inscribe in the sand?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Serpents, cockatrices.</span>--There is a sudden change of figure, one new image of terror starting from the history of the fiery serpents of <a href="/numbers/21-6.htm" title="And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.">Numbers 21:6</a>, or, possibly, from the connection of Dan with the "serpent" and "adder" in <a href="/genesis/49-17.htm" title="Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that bites the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.">Genesis 49:17</a>. It is not easy to identify the genus and species of the serpents of the Bible. Here the two words are in apposition. "Cockatrice," however, cannot be right, that name belonging, as an English word, to legendary zoology. The Vulg. gives "basilisk." In <a href="/proverbs/23-32.htm" title="At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder.">Proverbs 23:32</a> it is translated by "adder." In any case it implies a hissing venomous snake (probably the <span class= "ital">cerastes </span>or <span class= "ital">serpens regulus</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>and the symbolism which identified it with the Assyrian or Chaldaean power had already appeared in <a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm" title="Rejoice not you, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote you is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.">Isaiah 14:29</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Which will not be charmed.</span>--The figure is that of <a href="/context/psalms/58-4.htm" title="Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear;">Psalm 58:4-5</a>. The "deaf adder" that "refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer" represents an implacable enemy waging a pitiless war. Serpent-charming, as in the case of the Egyptian sorcerers (<a href="/exodus/7-11.htm" title="Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.">Exodus 7:11</a>), seems to have been from a very early time, as it is now, both in Egypt and India, one of the most prominent features of the natural magic of the East. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - A new image to intensify the impression of dreadfulness. <span class="cmt_word">Serpents, cockatrices</span>; rather, <span class="accented">serpents</span> (<span class="accented">even</span>) <span class="accented">basilisks</span>. The second noun is in apposition to the more general "serpents." "Basilisks" (<span class="accented">Serpentes regulos</span>) are the renderings of Aquila and the Vulgate. Some species of highly venomous serpent is clearly intended; more than this we cannot say. The root probably means "to hiss." Canon Tristram thinks of "a very beautifully marked yellow serpent, and the largest of the vipers found in the Holy Land," called the <span class="accented">Daboia xantheina</span>. He adds that it is one of the most dangerous ('Nat. Hist. of Palestine,' p. 275). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי֩</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנְנִ֨י</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will send</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשַׁלֵּ֜חַ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šal·lê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">snakes among you,</span><br /><span class="heb">נְחָשִׁים֙</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḥā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5175.htm">Strong's 5175: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">poisonous vipers</span><br /><span class="heb">צִפְעֹנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣip̄·‘ō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6848.htm">Strong's 6848: </a> </span><span class="str2">A serpent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵין־</span> <span class="translit">(’ên-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be charmed,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑חַשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḥaš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3908.htm">Strong's 3908: </a> </span><span class="str2">A whisper, a private prayer, an incantation, an amulet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they will bite</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנִשְּׁכ֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·niš·šə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5391.htm">Strong's 5391: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike with a, sting, to oppress with usury</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתְכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻם־</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Jeremiah 8:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 8:17 For behold I will send serpents adders (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 8:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>