King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:13 in the King James Version says “Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.

Jeremiah 16:13 · KJV


Context

11

Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;

12

And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: imagination: or, stubbornness

13

Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.

14

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;

15

But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sentence pronounced: 'Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; for I will not shew you favour.' The punishment fits the crime: they chose other gods, so they'll be exiled to serve them exclusively. The ironic justice: in the foreign land they'll serve pagan gods 'day and night' without Yahweh's interference. The land 'ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers' emphasizes total disorientation. The final phrase 'I will not shew you favour' indicates withdrawal of covenant mercy. This judgment demonstrates that persistent idol pursuit results in abandonment to idols.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In Babylonian exile, Jews were surrounded by pagan worship and tempted to assimilate. The ironic judgment gave them what they'd chosen—life dominated by other gods without Yahweh's protective presence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment often involve giving people over to what they've chosen?
  2. What does exile to unknown lands represent about the disorientation of life apart from God?
  3. What is the significance of God withdrawing favor as part of judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְהֵטַלְתִּ֣י1 of 24

Therefore will I cast

H2904

to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out

אֶתְכֶ֗ם2 of 24
H853

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

מֵעַל֙3 of 24
H5921

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

הָאָ֕רֶץ4 of 24

into a land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֔את5 of 24
H2063

this (often used adverb)

עַל6 of 24
H5921

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

הָאָ֕רֶץ7 of 24

into a land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר֙8 of 24
H834

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

לֹ֣א9 of 24
H3808

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

יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם10 of 24

that ye know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אַתֶּ֖ם11 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם12 of 24

not neither ye nor your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַעֲבַדְתֶּם13 of 24

and there shall ye serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

שָׁ֞ם14 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת15 of 24
H853

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

אֱלֹהִ֤ים16 of 24

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִים֙17 of 24

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

יוֹמָ֣ם18 of 24

day

H3119

daily

וָלַ֔יְלָה19 of 24

and night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

אֲשֶׁ֛ר20 of 24
H834

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

לֹֽא21 of 24
H3808

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

אֶתֵּ֥ן22 of 24

where I will not shew

H5414

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

לָכֶ֖ם23 of 24
H0
חֲנִינָֽה׃24 of 24

you favour

H2594

graciousness


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 16:13 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 16:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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