Verses 19-20 are substantially the same as 30.23-24. Some scholars believe the verses are out of place here, while others are convinced they do not fit in the context of chapter 30. But here verse 18 leads naturally into verses 19-20, which suggest that a prophet who had truly stood in the LORD’s council would know that his message at the present time was one of judgment rather than peace.

For Behold see 1.6.

Storm and tempest describe the LORD’s Wrath, referred to in verse 20 as his “anger.” This is the basis for Good News Translation “His anger is a storm, a furious wind…, 20 and it….” In Hebrew storm (so also in 30.23) and tempest (so also in 25.32; 30.23; Jonah 1.4, 12) both come from the same root and may be understood as having the same meaning.

Wrath (see 4.4) and “anger” in the next verse (see 2.35), though not from the same root, must also be considered as meaning the same thing.

Good News Translation is an excellent model for translators here. However, some have found that a simile is better than a metaphor; for example:

• The LORD’s anger is like a storm. It rushes forth like an uncontrolled tempest, blowing down on the heads of the wicked.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .