In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
It was useless for me to punish your people; they learned nothing from it. You have killed your own prophets with the sword, like a fierce lion devouring its prey.
God is expressing frustration that despite His discipline, the people haven't changed, and they've even turned violent against the prophets He sent to help them.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Jeremiah's early ministry (around 627-586 BC) when he was calling Judah to repent before the Babylonian exile. The people of Judah had repeatedly ignored God's warnings and had a history of persecuting or killing the prophets God sent to them, including previous prophets like Zechariah and others who called them back to faithfulness.
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