King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 9:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 9:15 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.”

Jeremiah 9:15 · KJV

Context

13

And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;

14

But have walked after the imagination of their own heart, and after Baalim, which their fathers taught them: imagination: or, stubbornness

15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

16

I will scatter them also among the heathen, whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.

17

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning women, that they may come:

Read Jeremiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse announces specific judgment: 'Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood.' The Hebrew la'anah (לַעֲנָה, wormwood) is a bitter plant, possibly poisonous, representing bitterness and judgment. 'And give them water of gall to drink' (mei-rosh) indicates poisoned water. The imagery suggests forced consumption of bitter, deadly substances—the taste of judgment matching the bitterness of their sin. God as the One 'feeding' them indicates divine agency in judgment. The phrase 'LORD of hosts, the God of Israel' combines military might (hosts) with covenant relationship (Israel)—the covenant God commands armies to execute judgment on His own people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wormwood (Artemisia) grows throughout Palestine; its extreme bitterness made it proverbial for hardship and sorrow. 'Gall' may refer to poisonous hemlock. Both substances appear in judgment contexts throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 29:18, Lamentations 3:15, 19, Amos 5:7, 6:12). The exile's bitter experiences—deportation, slavery, humiliation—fulfilled this prophecy literally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the forced consumption of bitter judgment reflect the principle that we taste the consequences of our choices?
  2. What does God's personal agency in judgment ('I will feed them') reveal about His active involvement in human history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 16
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּֽה2 of 16
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֞ר3 of 16

“Therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙5 of 16

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 16

“the God”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

הִנְנִ֧י8 of 16
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מַאֲכִילָ֛ם9 of 16

“Behold I will feed”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 16
H853

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

הָעָ֥ם11 of 16

“them even this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֖ה12 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לַֽעֲנָ֑ה13 of 16

“with wormwood”

H3939

wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed)

וְהִשְׁקִיתִ֖ים14 of 16

“to drink”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

מֵי15 of 16

“and give them water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

רֹֽאשׁ׃16 of 16

“of gall”

H7219

a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even of serpents)

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 9:15 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 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:14Psalms 80:5Lamentations 3:15Jeremiah 23:15Psalms 60:3Psalms 75:8

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