King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 15:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 15:7 in the King James Version says “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, sinc...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 15:7 · KJV

Context

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

9

She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day : she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes comprehensive judgment: '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.' 'Fan with a fan' (zaritim bemizreh) uses winnowing imagery—separating chaff from grain, scattering the worthless. 'In the gates of the land' suggests border locations where enemies enter. 'Bereave of children' (shakkaltim) describes loss of the next generation—the future eliminated. 'They return not from their ways' reiterates the persistent refusal to repent (shuv) that justifies judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Winnowing was agricultural judgment—wind separated valuable grain from worthless chaff. Applied to population, it describes exile's scattering. 'Bereaving of children' occurred through siege conditions, military casualties, and deportation that separated families. The exile would indeed eliminate a generation from the land. 'Not returning from their ways' summarizes the fundamental problem—refusal to repent despite repeated warning.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does winnowing imagery picture judgment's separation of people for different fates?
  2. What makes bereavement of children such a devastating element of judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וָאֶזְרֵ֥ם1 of 11

“And I will fan”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

בְּמִזְרֶ֖ה2 of 11

“them with a fan”

H4214

a winnowing shovel (as scattering the chaff)

בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֣י3 of 11

“in the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָאָ֑רֶץ4 of 11

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שִׁכַּ֤לְתִּי5 of 11

“I will bereave”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

אִבַּ֙דְתִּי֙6 of 11

“them of children I will destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

אֶת7 of 11
H853

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

עַמִּ֔י8 of 11

“my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִדַּרְכֵיהֶ֖ם9 of 11

“not from their ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

לוֹא10 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָֽׁבוּ׃11 of 11

“since they return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

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 15:7 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 15:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 3:12Jeremiah 51:2Jeremiah 5:3Isaiah 9:13Isaiah 41:16Jeremiah 8:4-5

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