King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:16 in the King James Version says “Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, wh...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 13:16 · KJV

Context

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.

17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

18

Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. principalities: or, head tires

Read Jeremiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse urges repentance before darkness: 'Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains.' 'Give glory' (tenu kavod) means acknowledge God's authority, repent, worship properly. 'Before darkness' (beterem yachshikh) indicates approaching but not yet arrived judgment—window remains open. 'Dark mountains' (harei nesheph) picture travelers stumbling in twilight on mountain paths—dangerous, disorienting. 'And, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.' What they hope will be light (relief, rescue) becomes death-shadow (tsalmaveth). Hope will be disappointed; light will become darkness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This urgent call pictures Judah on a mountain path with darkness falling. The smart response is to stop, find shelter, wait for light. But continued stubbornness means pressing on into darkness and stumbling to destruction. The 'shadow of death' (tsalmaveth) appears in Psalm 23:4, Job, and elsewhere—representing mortal danger. Continued expectation of light while walking into darkness describes false hope in false prophets' promises of peace.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'give glory' involve as response to judgment warning?
  2. How does the mountain-darkness imagery picture the urgency of response before judgment falls?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
תְּנוּ֩1 of 18

“Give”

H5414

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

לַיהוָ֨ה2 of 18

“to the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֤ם3 of 18

“your 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

כָּבוֹד֙4 of 18

“glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

בְּטֶ֣רֶם5 of 18
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

יַחְשִׁ֔ךְ6 of 18

“before he cause darkness”

H2821

to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken

וּבְטֶ֛רֶם7 of 18
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

יִֽתְנַגְּפ֥וּ8 of 18

“stumble”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

רַגְלֵיכֶ֖ם9 of 18

“and before your feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

עַל10 of 18
H5921

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

הָ֣רֵי11 of 18

“mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

נָ֑שֶׁף12 of 18

“upon the dark”

H5399

properly, a breeze, i.e., (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze prevails)

וְקִוִּיתֶ֤ם13 of 18

“and while ye look”

H6960

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

לְאוֹר֙14 of 18

“for light”

H216

illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)

וְשָׂמָ֣הּ15 of 18

“he turn”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְצַלְמָ֔וֶת16 of 18

“it into the shadow of death”

H6757

shade of death, i.e., the grave (figuratively, calamity)

יְשִׁ֖ית17 of 18

“and make”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

לַעֲרָפֶֽל׃18 of 18

“it gross darkness”

H6205

gloom (as of a lowering sky)

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 13:16 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 13:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 8:22Isaiah 59:9Proverbs 4:19Isaiah 60:2Joshua 7:19Isaiah 5:30

Test Your Knowledge

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