King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:12 in the King James Version says “Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with win... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?

Jeremiah 13:12 · KJV


Context

10

This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. imagination: or, stubbornness

11

For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

12

Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?

13

Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

14

And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them. one: Heb. a man against his brother but: Heb. from destroying them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse begins a new oracle: 'Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine.' The Hebrew nevel (נֶבֶל) is a pottery vessel, a wineskin or jug. The statement 'every bottle filled with wine' sounds positive—abundance! 'And they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?' The people will respond dismissively—of course we know this! It's obvious! They miss the ominous meaning, thinking only of normal wine production. The oracle sets up their misunderstanding for sharp correction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Wine vessels being filled was normal expectation in agrarian society—harvest filled vessels for storage and use. The people would hear this statement as truism, perhaps sarcastic (telling them the obvious). Their dismissive response reveals complacency—they assume normal life continues, missing the warning hidden in apparent banality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the apparently innocent statement about wine vessels set up the audience?
  2. What does the dismissive response reveal about spiritual complacency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְאָמְר֣וּ1 of 24

Therefore thou shalt speak

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת3 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֣ר4 of 24

unto them this word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֗ה5 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כֹּֽה6 of 24
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

וְאָמְר֣וּ7 of 24

Therefore thou shalt speak

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙8 of 24

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י9 of 24

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 24

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כָּל11 of 24
H3605

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

נֵ֖בֶל12 of 24

Every bottle

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

יִמָּ֥לֵא13 of 24

shall be filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יָֽיִן׃14 of 24

with wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְאָמְר֣וּ15 of 24

Therefore thou shalt speak

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ16 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נֵדַ֔ע17 of 24

know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לֹ֣א18 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֵדַ֔ע19 of 24

know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֥י20 of 24
H3588

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

כָל21 of 24
H3605

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

נֵ֖בֶל22 of 24

Every bottle

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

יִמָּ֥לֵא23 of 24

shall be filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יָֽיִן׃24 of 24

with wine

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication


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 13:12 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 13:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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