King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:2 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the L...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.”

Jeremiah 15:2 · KJV

Context

1

Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

2

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.

3

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. kinds: Heb. families

4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. cause: Heb. give them for a removing

Read Jeremiah 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse specifies judgment's forms: 'And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.' Four destinies await: death (by disease), sword (military violence), famine (siege starvation), and captivity (exile). The rhetorical question 'where shall we go?' receives devastating answer—every direction leads to judgment. The repetitive structure emphasizes inevitability: those destined for each fate will receive it. No escape exists.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This fourfold judgment appears throughout Jeremiah (14:12, 21:7-9, 24:10, 27:8, 13, 29:17-18, 32:24, 36, 34:17, 38:2, 42:17, 22, 44:13). The Babylonian siege produced exactly these conditions: disease from crowded, unsanitary conditions; death in combat; starvation during the siege; and exile for survivors. Archaeological and ancient Near Eastern records confirm these as standard siege warfare outcomes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the comprehensive listing of judgment forms (death, sword, famine, captivity) indicate about escape possibilities?
  2. How does this verse's certainty contrast with false prophets' promises of peace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָיָ֛ה1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּֽי2 of 23
H3588

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

אָמַ֣ר3 of 23

“And it shall come to pass if they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֖יךָ4 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָ֣נָה5 of 23
H575

where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither

נֵצֵ֑א6 of 23

“unto thee Whither shall we go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אָמַ֣ר7 of 23

“And it shall come to pass if they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם8 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּֽה9 of 23
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר10 of 23

“And it shall come to pass if they say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה11 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר12 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַמָּ֙וֶת֙13 of 23

“Such as are for death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

לַמָּ֙וֶת֙14 of 23

“Such as are for death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר15 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַחֶ֔רֶב16 of 23

“and such as are for the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לַחֶ֔רֶב17 of 23

“and such as are for the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר18 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לָֽרָעָ֔ב19 of 23

“and such as are for the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

לָֽרָעָ֔ב20 of 23

“and such as are for the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַשֶּֽׁבִי׃22 of 23

“and such as are for the captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

לַשֶּֽׁבִי׃23 of 23

“and such as are for the captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

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 15:2 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 15:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 43:11Zechariah 11:9Revelation 6:3-8Revelation 13:10Ezekiel 5:2Ezekiel 5:12

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