King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:14 in the King James Version says “And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor s...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 13:14 · KJV

Context

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

15

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

16

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Read Jeremiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse intensifies judgment: 'And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD.' The Hebrew naphats (נָפַץ, dash, shatter) applies to pottery broken by smashing against surfaces or each other. Filled vessels dashed together produce mutual destruction. 'Fathers and sons together' (avoth ubanim yachdav) indicates generational destruction without mercy. 'I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.' Three negations (lo, lo, lo) emphasize no reprieve: no pity (chamal), no sparing (chus), no mercy (racham). Complete, pitiless destruction. The verse reveals judgment's comprehensive finality.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) produced exactly this: fathers and sons dying together, families destroyed, comprehensive devastation without mercy. Lamentations describes the horrors: starvation, violence, death across all ages. The warning of pitiless destruction, given decades before fulfillment, emphasizes that judgment wasn't arbitrary but announced in advance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the pottery imagery (dashing vessels together) add to the judgment description?
  2. How do the three negations (no pity, spare, or mercy) intensify the severity of announced judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְנִפַּצְתִּים֩1 of 16

“And I will dash”

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

אִ֨ישׁ2 of 16

“them 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)

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָחִ֜יו4 of 16

“against another”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְהָאָב֧וֹת5 of 16

“even the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְהַבָּנִ֛ים6 of 16

“and the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יַחְדָּ֖ו7 of 16

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

נְאֻם8 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה9 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹֽא10 of 16
H3808

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

אֶחְמ֧וֹל11 of 16

“I will not pity”

H2550

to commiserate; by implication, to spare

וְלֹֽא12 of 16
H3808

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

אָח֛וּס13 of 16

“nor spare”

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

וְלֹ֥א14 of 16
H3808

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

אֲרַחֵ֖ם15 of 16

“nor have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

מֵהַשְׁחִיתָֽם׃16 of 16

“but destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

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 13:14 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 13:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 29:20Psalms 2:9Jeremiah 19:9-11Isaiah 9:20-21Isaiah 27:11Jeremiah 6:21

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 13 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes