King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 5:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 5:15 in the King James Version says “Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Jeremiah 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

14

Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

16

Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.

17

And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Detailed theological analysis of Jeremiah 5:15 with Hebrew word studies, doctrinal significance, and connections to broader biblical themes. This would reference original language terms, explain theological concepts, and show how the verse fits into redemptive history and points to Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical and cultural context for Jeremiah 5:15, including the time period during Jeremiah's ministry (627-586 BC), the political situation with Babylon's rise to power, and how this verse relates to Judah's covenant unfaithfulness and coming judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jeremiah 5:15 challenge your understanding of God's character and His dealings with His people?
  2. What practical application can you draw from Jeremiah 5:15 for your walk with Christ today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 23
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִיא֩2 of 23

Lo I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֲלֵיכֶ֨ם3 of 23
H5921

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

גּ֚וֹי4 of 23

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מִמֶּרְחָ֛ק5 of 23

upon you from far

H4801

remoteness, i.e., (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar

בֵּ֥ית6 of 23

O house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל7 of 23

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

נְאֻם8 of 23

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֹ֑ה9 of 23

the LORD

H3068

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

גּ֚וֹי10 of 23

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֵיתָ֣ן11 of 23

it is a mighty

H386

permanence; hence (concrete) permanent; specifically a chieftain

ה֗וּא12 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

גּ֚וֹי13 of 23

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מֵעוֹלָם֙14 of 23

it is an ancient

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

ה֔וּא15 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

גּ֚וֹי16 of 23

a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

לֹא17 of 23
H3808

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

תֵדַ֣ע18 of 23

thou knowest

H3045

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

לְשֹׁנ֔וֹ19 of 23

whose language

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

וְלֹ֥א20 of 23
H3808

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

תִשְׁמַ֖ע21 of 23

not neither understandest

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מַה22 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יְדַבֵּֽר׃23 of 23

what they say

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue


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 5:15 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 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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