King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 1:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 1:15 in the King James Version says “For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 1:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. confound: or, break to pieces

Read Jeremiah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God specifies His action in releasing judgment: 'For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come.' The phrase 'I will call' (qore ani, קֹרֵא אֲנִי) reveals divine sovereignty—God summons these nations as His instruments. The 'families of the kingdoms of the north' refers to Babylonian empire and its vassal states—a multi-national coalition under Nebuchadnezzar's command. The description of their military campaign follows: '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.' The imagery of setting thrones at Jerusalem's gates pictures siege and occupation—enemy commanders establishing headquarters at the city's entry points, symbolizing conquest and judgment. 'Against all the walls thereof round about' describes comprehensive siege—complete encirclement cutting off escape and supplies. 'Against all the cities of Judah' indicates nationwide devastation beyond Jerusalem alone. This detailed prediction describes both siege warfare tactics and complete territorial conquest. The theological significance: God Himself orchestrates this invasion, calling foreign armies to execute covenant judgment on His own people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy's fulfillment is documented in both biblical and extra-biblical sources. Second Kings 24-25 describes Babylonian sieges of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 39 and 52 provide detailed accounts of the final siege—Babylonian army surrounding the city, breaching walls, capturing King Zedekiah, burning the temple and palace, demolishing walls, and exiling survivors. The Babylonian Chronicle (cuneiform text) confirms Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against Judah in 605 and 597 BC. Archaeological excavations at Jerusalem's eastern wall revealed Babylonian siege ramp and arrowheads. The Lachish Letters (ostraca found at Tel Lachish) mention the crisis as Babylonian forces conquered Judean cities one by one. Jeremiah 34:7 notes that only Jerusalem, Lachish, and Azekah remained unconquered near the end—exactly matching archaeological evidence of massive destruction at these sites. This correlation between prophetic word, biblical narrative, and archaeological evidence demonstrates Scripture's historical reliability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that God sovereignly 'called' pagan Babylon to judge Judah challenge simplistic views of God blessing His people and judging pagans?
  2. What does God's use of enemy nations as instruments of discipline teach about His control over history and international events?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כִּ֣י׀1 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנְנִ֣י2 of 24
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

קֹרֵ֗א3 of 24

“For lo I will call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְכָֽל4 of 24
H3605

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

מִשְׁפְּח֛וֹת5 of 24

“all the families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

מַמְלְכ֥וֹת6 of 24

“of the kingdoms”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

צָפ֖וֹנָה7 of 24

“of the north”

H6828

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

נְאֻם8 of 24

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה9 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבָ֡אוּ10 of 24

“and they shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְֽנָתְנוּ֩11 of 24

“and they shall set”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אִ֨ישׁ12 of 24

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּסְא֜וֹ13 of 24

“his throne”

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

פֶּ֣תַח׀14 of 24

“at the entering”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַׁעֲרֵ֣י15 of 24

“of the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם16 of 24

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְעַ֤ל17 of 24
H5921

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

כָּל18 of 24
H3605

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

חוֹמֹתֶ֙יהָ֙19 of 24

“and against all the walls”

H2346

a wall of protection

סָבִ֔יב20 of 24

“thereof round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְעַ֖ל21 of 24
H5921

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

כָּל22 of 24
H3605

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

עָרֵ֥י23 of 24

“and against all the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָֽה׃24 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

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 1:15 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 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 25:9Jeremiah 9:11Jeremiah 43:10Jeremiah 4:16Jeremiah 39:3Isaiah 22:7

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 1 →

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