7:7a–d

This verse consists of two sets of parallel lines. In the first set, 7:7b gives the expected result of the people’s angry desire in 7:7a. In the second set, 7:7d gives the unexpected result of the deaths of their kings in 7:7c.

7a All of them are hot as an oven,

7b and they devour their rulers.

7c All their kings fall;

7d not one of them calls upon Me.

Notice that 7:7b and 7:7c are similar to each other in meaning. However, 7:7b describes the murders primarily from the standpoint of those who committed the murders. Verse 7:7c describes the murders from the standpoint of the kings who were murdered.

7:7a

All of them are hot as an oven: This statement repeats the simile of the oven from 7:4 and 7:6. The word “hearts” is not made explicit here as it was in 7:6a, but the function of the simile is the same. It compares the people’s angry desire to do harm to the heat of an oven. Their intense emotions lead them to commit the specific acts of murder described in 7:7b–c.

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

Their anger/emotion is like a hot oven.
-or-
In the heat of their anger (Good News Translation)

All of them: This phrase may refer specifically to the people who are involved in the plot to murder the leaders of Israel. It may also refer more generally to the people of Israel. If possible, translate this phrase so that it can refer to either group.

All: This word refers here to the group as a whole, not necessarily to every individual in the group. Notice that the Good News Translation (quoted above) does not make the word All explicit. You should use a natural way in your language to emphasize that the whole group was burning with anger.

7:7b

they devour their rulers: In Hebrew, the word devour often refers literally to eating food. It also refers figuratively to a fire that “consumes” what it burns or a sword that “devours” those that it kills (see Leviticus 6:10, 10:2; Deuteronomy 32:42). In this context, it probably continues the figurative idea of the blazing flames and hot oven. A fire destroys what it burns or consumes. Similarly, the people referred to in 7:7a destroy or kill their rulers.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Use a figure of speech. For example:

They consume their judges [like a fire]. (God’s Word)

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

they murdered their rulers (Good News Translation)

their rulers: In Hebrew, the word rulers is literally judges. It can refer to any leader who governs or rules a group of people and is responsible for carrying out justice. In this context, the phrase their rulers is a poetic parallel with their kings. It probably describes the same leaders.

7:7c

All their kings fall: This expression is similar in meaning to the previous clause. It means that the kings of Israel are murdered.

All: In this context the word All is a figure of speech (hyperbole). This figure of speech emphasizes that people kill many of the kings. It does not refer literally to every king of Israel.

In some languages, a literal translation of this hyperbole may not be understood correctly.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

Their kings have been assassinated one after another (Good News Translation)
-or-
They kill their kings one after another (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
So many of their kings have died!

7:7d

and: The phrase “none of them” contrasts with the phrases “all of them” in 7:7a and “All their kings” in 7:7c. Verse 7:7d also gives the unexpected result of the series of murders described in 7:7b–c. Hebrew the Berean Standard Bible and some other versions do not use a conjunction here. Some other versions use the word and or “but.” Use a natural way in your language to indicate that 7:7d is an unexpected result.

not one of them: This phrase may refer in a general way to none of the people of Israel. It may also refer specifically to none of the kings or government officials. If possible, translate this phrase so that it can refer to either group.

calls upon Me: This phrase means to pray to God.

Here are some other ways to translate 7:7d:

but no one prays to me for help (Good News Translation)
-or-
and no one cries out to me for help (New Living Translation (2004))

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