Old Testament
Jeremiah 7:33
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The corpses of this people will become food for the birds of the sky and the wild animals, and no one will be there to scare them away.
Compare translations
And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
What Jeremiah 7:33 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is expressing the dire consequences of the people's disobedience and rejection of Him. The imagery of corpses being left unburied signifies total devastation and abandonment. The dead bodies will attract birds and wild animals, symbolizing a complete lack of respect and care for the deceased. This reflects the severity of judgment that will come upon the people for their sins. The absence of anyone to scare away the scavengers indicates that there will be no one left to mourn or honor the dead, highlighting the extent of destruction and loss. This serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting desolation that follows. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and the serious repercussions of ignoring His commands.
How to apply Jeremiah 7:33 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of staying faithful to God and the dangers of turning away from Him. It encourages us to reflect on our actions and their potential consequences, urging us to seek a relationship with God to avoid spiritual desolation.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth

Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 7:33
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 7:33
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 7:33 mean?
Jeremiah 7:33 conveys the message of severe judgment due to the people's disobedience to God. It illustrates the consequences of their actions by depicting corpses left unburied, attracting scavengers, which symbolizes total devastation and abandonment.
What is the significance of corpses in Jeremiah 7:33?
The corpses in Jeremiah 7:33 represent the ultimate consequence of the people's rejection of God. Their unburied bodies signify a lack of respect and care, highlighting the severity of judgment and the desolation that follows disobedience.
What themes are present in Jeremiah 7:33?
Jeremiah 7:33 includes themes of judgment, destruction, disobedience, and abandonment. It emphasizes the serious repercussions of turning away from God and the resulting desolation that can occur.
How does Jeremiah 7:33 apply to our lives today?
Jeremiah 7:33 serves as a reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God and the potential consequences of turning away from Him. It encourages self-reflection on our actions and the need for a relationship with God to avoid spiritual desolation.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.