23 I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
23 I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty; and at the heavens, and their light was gone.
23 I looked on the earth, and behold, it was without form and void; and to the heavens, and they had no light.
23 I looked at the earth - it was back to pre-Genesis chaos and emptiness. I looked at the skies, and not a star to be seen.
23 I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light.
23 I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless. I looked at the heavens, and there was no light.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:23
Commentary on Jeremiah 4:19-31
(Read Jeremiah 4:19-31)
The prophet had no pleasure in delivering messages of wrath. He is shown in a vision the whole land in confusion. Compared with what it was, every thing is out of order; but the ruin of the Jewish nation would not be final. Every end of our comforts is not a full end. Though the Lord may correct his people very severely, yet he will not cast them off. Ornaments and false colouring would be of no avail. No outward privileges or profession, no contrivances would prevent destruction. How wretched the state of those who are like foolish children in the concerns of their souls! Whatever we are ignorant of, may the Lord make of good understanding in the ways of godliness. As sin will find out the sinner, so sorrow will, sooner or later, find out the secure.