King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:6 in the King James Version says “Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and de...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 15:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways. children: or, whatsoever is dear

8

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city. the mother: or, the mother city a young man spoiling, etc, or, the mother and the young men

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse expresses divine exhaustion: '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.' 'Forsaken me' (natash, נָטַשׁ) indicates abandonment; 'gone backward' (achar, אָחוֹר) describes retreat from relationship. God's response: 'stretch out my hand' (natah yad) for destruction. The stunning phrase 'I am weary with repenting' (nil'ethi hinachem, נִלְאֵיתִי הִנָּחֵם) indicates divine exhaustion with relenting from judgment. God has repeatedly held back punishment, but patience has ended. The divine reluctance to judge, expressed throughout prophetic literature, finally yields to exhausted necessity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

God's 'repenting' (nacham) of judgment appears throughout Israel's history—after the golden calf (Exodus 32:14), at Nineveh (Jonah 3:10), with David (2 Samuel 24:16). But Judah's persistent rebellion exhausted divine patience. The anthropomorphic language ('weary with repenting') expresses how human unfaithfulness tests even God's longsuffering. By Jeremiah's time, the accumulated centuries of rebellion exceeded what divine patience would further tolerate.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's 'weariness with repenting' reveal about the limits of divine patience?
  2. How does this verse balance God's reluctance to judge with His determination to act?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אַ֣תְּ1 of 14
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נָטַ֥שְׁתְּ2 of 14

“Thou hast forsaken”

H5203

properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive

אֹתִ֛י3 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נְאֻם4 of 14

“me saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אָח֣וֹר6 of 14

“backward”

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west

תֵּלֵ֑כִי7 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וָאַ֨ט8 of 14

“therefore will I stretch out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֶת9 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָדִ֤י10 of 14

“my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עָלַ֙יִךְ֙11 of 14
H5921

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

וָֽאַשְׁחִיתֵ֔ךְ12 of 14

“against thee and destroy”

H7843

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

נִלְאֵ֖יתִי13 of 14

“thee I am weary”

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

הִנָּחֵֽם׃14 of 14

“with repenting”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

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 15:6 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 15:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 7:24Zephaniah 1:4Isaiah 1:4Zechariah 7:11Hosea 11:7Jeremiah 6:19

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