King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 13:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 13:23 in the King James Version says “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. accustomed: Heb. taught”

Jeremiah 13:23 · KJV

Context

21

What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail? punish: Heb visit upon

22

And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare. made: or, shall be violently taken away

23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. accustomed: Heb. taught

24

Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

25

This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

Read Jeremiah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse uses powerful imagery for sin's fixedness: 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?' Two rhetorical questions expect negative answer: the Ethiopian (Cushite) cannot change his dark skin; the leopard cannot remove its spots. These are fixed, inherent characteristics. 'Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.' The Hebrew limudei hara (לִמֻּדֵי הָרַע) means 'taught/trained in evil'—habituated to wickedness. Sin has become as fixed as skin color, as inherent as leopard markings. Apart from divine transformation, Israel cannot change their established patterns.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Cush (Ethiopia/Nubia) represented dark-skinned peoples south of Egypt. The observation about unchangeable characteristics was simple fact, not racial judgment. The theological point concerns sin's entrenchment—generations of evil practice created moral inability. This verse anticipates New Covenant theology of heart transformation (31:31-34)—only divine action can change what human effort cannot.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does comparing sin's fixedness to inherent physical characteristics teach about the power of habitual wickedness?
  2. How does acknowledging inability to change open the way for divine transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הֲיַהֲפֹ֤ךְ1 of 11

“change”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

כּוּשִׁי֙2 of 11

“Can the Ethiopian”

H3569

a cushite, or descendant of cush

עוֹר֔וֹ3 of 11

“his skin”

H5785

skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather

וְנָמֵ֖ר4 of 11

“or the leopard”

H5246

a leopard (from its stripes)

חֲבַרְבֻּרֹתָ֑יו5 of 11

“his spots”

H2272

a streak (like a line), as on the tiger

גַּם6 of 11
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַתֶּם֙7 of 11
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תּוּכְל֣וּ8 of 11

“then may”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהֵיטִ֔יב9 of 11

“ye also do good”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לִמֻּדֵ֖י10 of 11

“that are accustomed”

H3928

instructed

הָרֵֽעַ׃11 of 11

“to do evil”

H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

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 13:23 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 13:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 2:22Jeremiah 9:5Matthew 19:24-28Jeremiah 2:30Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 5:3

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