King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:4 in the King James Version says “And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Juda... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 15:4 · KJV


Context

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

5

For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest? how: Heb. of thy peace?

6

Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse identifies the cause: '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.' The Hebrew za'avah (זַעֲוָה, horror, trembling object) describes Israel becoming something that horrifies observers. 'Because of Manasseh' names the specific king whose sins sealed Judah's fate. 2 Kings 21:1-18 catalogs Manasseh's abominations: rebuilding high places, Baal altars, Asherah poles, astral worship, child sacrifice in Hinnom Valley, sorcery, and filling Jerusalem with innocent blood. His fifty-five-year reign institutionalized apostasy beyond reversal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Manasseh's reign (697-642 BC) was Judah's longest and most evil. 2 Kings 21:10-15 and 23:26-27 explicitly cite his sins as the reason for Jerusalem's destruction, despite Josiah's subsequent reforms. The theology is clear: generational sin accumulates, and even good kings (Josiah) cannot reverse the consequences of deeply entrenched wickedness. Manasseh's legacy made judgment inevitable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can one king's sins have consequences for subsequent generations?
  2. What does Manasseh's example teach about the long-term effects of institutionalized apostasy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּנְתַתִּ֣ים1 of 15

And I will cause

H5414

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

לְזַֽוֲעָ֔ה2 of 15
H2113

agitation, fear

לְכֹ֖ל3 of 15
H3605

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

מַמְלְכ֣וֹת4 of 15

into all kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

הָאָ֑רֶץ5 of 15

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּ֠גְלַל6 of 15

because

H1558

a circumstance (as rolled around); only used adverbially, on account of

מְנַשֶּׁ֤ה7 of 15

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

בֶן8 of 15

the son

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

יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙9 of 15

of Hezekiah

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ10 of 15

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה11 of 15

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עַ֥ל12 of 15
H5921

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

אֲשֶׁר13 of 15
H834

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

עָשָׂ֖ה14 of 15

for that which he did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃15 of 15

in Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


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 15:4 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 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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