King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 1:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 1:14 in the King James Version says “Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. shall: Heb....” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. shall: Heb. shall be opened”

Jeremiah 1:14 · KJV

Context

12

Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

13

And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. toward: Heb. from the face of the north

14

Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. shall: Heb. shall be opened

15

For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

16

And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God interprets the vision: 'Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.' The phrase 'out of the north' (mitsaphon, מִצָּפוֹן) confirms the directional significance—judgment comes from the northern route. The word 'evil' (ra'ah, רָעָה) means calamity, disaster, or adversity—not moral evil but catastrophic judgment. The verb 'break forth' (tippateach, תִּפָּתֵחַ, from pathach, פָּתַח) means to be opened, let loose, or poured out—like the boiling pot tilting to release its contents. This language emphasizes both suddenness and inevitability—when God releases judgment, it cannot be contained. The phrase 'upon all the inhabitants of the land' (al-kol-yoshevei ha'arets, עַל־כָּל־יֹשְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ) indicates comprehensive scope—no region or class will escape. This isn't limited military action but national catastrophe affecting everyone from king to peasant. The verse establishes what becomes Jeremiah's consistent message: the 'foe from the north' (Babylon) will devastate Judah as divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. This interpretation transforms a simple vision into clear prophetic warning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy's fulfillment came in stages over two decades. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces invaded in 605 BC (taking Daniel and others), besieged Jerusalem in 597 BC (exiling King Jehoiachin and 10,000 including Ezekiel), and finally destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC (killing many, exiling most survivors). Archaeological evidence confirms widespread destruction throughout Judah during this period—burned cities (Lachish, Azekah), disrupted settlement patterns, and population collapse. Jeremiah's consistency in identifying the northern threat prepared some for what seemed unthinkable—Jerusalem's fall. Yet most refused to believe until it happened. The specificity of this early prophecy (during Josiah's reign, decades before fulfillment) and its exact fulfillment validate Jeremiah's prophetic credentials according to Deuteronomy 18:21-22's test: if the prophet's prediction comes true, he speaks for God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing that divine judgment often comes through historical means (nations, armies, natural events) rather than supernatural intervention affect our understanding of God's providence?
  2. What does the comprehensive scope of judgment ('all the inhabitants') teach about corporate responsibility and the consequences of national covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 10

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 10

“Then the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָ֑י3 of 10
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִצָּפוֹן֙4 of 10

“unto me Out of the north”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

תִּפָּתַ֣ח5 of 10

“shall break forth”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

הָרָעָ֔ה6 of 10

“an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עַ֥ל7 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל8 of 10
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֹשְׁבֵ֖י9 of 10

“upon all the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָֽרֶץ׃10 of 10

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 1:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 6:1Jeremiah 10:22Jeremiah 4:6Isaiah 41:25Ezekiel 1:4Jeremiah 31:8

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