ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 15
“Then Yahweh said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people. Cast them out of my sight, and let them go out!”
Jeremiah 15:1
Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about His rejection of the people, declaring that even the intercession of 'Moses and Samuel' will not change His mind, initiating their judgment.
What Jeremiah 15 is about
Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah, stating that even if Moses and Samuel interceded, He would not have compassion for the people. Yahweh instructs Jeremiah to tell the people that judgment is coming: those destined for death will die, and others will face famine or captivity (vv. 1-2). The consequences of disobedience include destruction by various means, as Yahweh mentions the four types of calamity that will come (vv. 3-4). Jeremiah laments the fate of Jerusalem, questioning who will show pity for the city due to its rejection of Yahweh (vv. 5-6). He expresses grief over the widespread suffering among the people, with many mourning losses (vv. 7-9). Jeremiah feels alone and struggles with his calling, feeling like a man of strife (vv. 10-12). Yahweh reveals that the people's loss is due to their sins, and destruction is coming for them (vv. 13-14). Yet, Yahweh assures Jeremiah of His protection and will save him from his enemies (vv. 15-21).
Yahweh promises to deliver Jeremiah and protect him amid the coming judgment on the people.
Jeremiah 15 at a glance
- Jeremiah 15:1–2Divine Judgment Declared
- Jeremiah 15:3–4Consequences of Disobedience
- Jeremiah 15:5–6Lament Over Jerusalem
- Jeremiah 15:7–9Grief and Mourning
- Jeremiah 15:10–12Jeremiah's Personal Struggle
- Jeremiah 15:13–14Judgment and Loss
- Jeremiah 15:15–21God's Assurance and Protection
Key verse: Jeremiah 15:1
One thing to notice
Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about the fate of the people in verses 1-2. He declares that even if Moses and Samuel were to intercede, He would not turn back from His decision. The command is clear: 'Cast them out of my sight,' revealing the harsh reality of judgment.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Jeremiah 15 (WEB)
Divine Judgment Declared Jeremiah 15:1–2
1Verse 1. Then Yahweh said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people. Cast them out of my sight, and let them go out! 2Verse 2. It will happen, when they tell you, ‘Where shall we go out?’ Then you shall tell them, ‘Yahweh says: “Such as are for death, to death; such as are for the sword, to the sword; such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.”’
Consequences of Disobedience Jeremiah 15:3–4
3Verse 3. “I will appoint over them four kinds,” says Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy. 4Verse 4. I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
Lament Over Jerusalem Jeremiah 15:5–6
5Verse 5. For who will have pity on you, Jerusalem?Who will mourn you?Who will come to ask of your welfare?6Verse 6. You have rejected me,” says Yahweh.“You have gone backward.Therefore I have stretched out my hand against you,and destroyed you.I am weary of showing compassion.
Grief and Mourning Jeremiah 15:7–9
7Verse 7. I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land.I have bereaved them of children.I have destroyed my people.They didn’t return from their ways.8Verse 8. Their widows are increased more than the sand of the seas;I have brought on them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday.I have caused anguish and terrors to fall on her suddenly.9Verse 9. She who has borne seven languishes.She has given up the spirit.Her sun has gone down while it was yet day.She has been disappointed and confounded.I will deliver their residue to the sword before their enemies,” says Yahweh.
Jeremiah's Personal Struggle Jeremiah 15:10–12
10Verse 10. Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife,and a man of contention to the whole earth!I have not lent, neither have men lent to me;yet every one of them curses me.11Verse 11. Yahweh said,“Most certainly I will strengthen you for good.Most certainly I will cause the enemy to make supplication to you in the time of eviland in the time of affliction.12Verse 12. Can one break iron,even iron from the north, and brass?
Judgment and Loss Jeremiah 15:13–14
13Verse 13. I will give your substance and your treasures for a plunder without price,and that for all your sins,even in all your borders.14Verse 14. I will make them to pass with your enemies into a land which you don’t know;for a fire is kindled in my anger,which will burn on you.”
God's Assurance and Protection Jeremiah 15:15–21
15Verse 15. Yahweh, you know.Remember me, visit me,and avenge me of my persecutors.You are patient, so don’t take me away.Know that for your sake I have suffered reproach.16Verse 16. Your words were found,and I ate them.Your words were to me a joy and the rejoicing of my heart,for I am called by your name, Yahweh, God of Armies.17Verse 17. I didn’t sit in the assembly of those who make merry and rejoice.I sat alone because of your hand,for you have filled me with indignation.18Verse 18. Why is my pain perpetual,and my wound incurable,which refuses to be healed?Will you indeed be to me as a deceitful brook,like waters that fail?19Verse 19. Therefore Yahweh says,“If you return, then I will bring you again,that you may stand before me;and if you take out the precious from the vile,you will be as my mouth.They will return to you,but you will not return to them.20Verse 20. I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall.They will fight against you,but they will not prevail against you;for I am with you to save youand to deliver you,” says Yahweh.21Verse 21. “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.”
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Jeremiah 15
Judgment
Yahweh pronounces judgment against the people of Jerusalem in this chapter. In verses 1-2, He declares that even if Moses and Samuel were present, He would not show mercy, specifying that the people would face various fates: 'to death', 'to the sword', and 'to captivity'. The chapter progresses with a clear statement of the consequences that follow disobedience, conveying the seriousness of God's impending judgment.
Intercession
Jeremiah's role as an intercessor is evident in his plea to Yahweh in verse 15, where he states, 'Yahweh, you know. Remember me, visit me, and avenge me of my persecutors'. This plea demonstrates Jeremiah's deep longing for God's presence and justice amidst his suffering. The chapter portrays the complexity of intercession, as it intertwines God's judgment with Jeremiah's desire for mercy.
Isolation
Isolation is depicted through Jeremiah's personal lament in verses 10-11, where he describes himself as 'a man of strife, and a man of contention to the whole earth'. His sense of separation is intensified by his divine calling, which leads to social alienation. He expresses his solitude further by avoiding the 'assembly of those who make merry', revealing the burden that accompanies his prophetic mission.
Divine Protection
Divine protection is assured to Jeremiah in vv. 20-21, where Yahweh promises, 'I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall'. Despite opposition, 'they will fight against you', God assures Jeremiah of His presence, stating, 'for I am with you to save you and to deliver you'. This assurance is a source of strength for Jeremiah, emphasizing that even in the face of dire circumstances, God's protection remains steadfast.
Chapter outline
How Jeremiah 15 unfolds
Jeremiah 15:1–2 Divine Judgment Declared
Yahweh communicates that even if Moses and Samuel intercede, He will not favor this people, instructing that they will face judgment and the consequences of their actions (vv. 1-2).
Jeremiah 15:3–4 Consequences of Disobedience
Yahweh declares that there will be four kinds of destruction for the people, specifically named as the sword, wild animals, and exile, linked to the sins of Manasseh (vv. 3-4).
Jeremiah 15:5–6 Lament Over Jerusalem
A mournful question arises regarding who will care for Jerusalem, emphasizing the city’s desolation and Yahweh's rejection of the people due to their backwardness (vv. 5-6).
Jeremiah 15:7–9 Grief and Mourning
Yahweh describes the anguish of the people through vivid imagery, illustrating the severity of their loss and devastation, culminating in the fate of a grieving mother (vv. 7-9).
Jeremiah 15:10–12 Jeremiah's Personal Struggle
Jeremiah expresses deep personal lament over his role as a prophet, feeling isolated and cursed by the very people he serves, and he questions the durability of his suffering (vv. 10-12).
Jeremiah 15:13–14 Judgment and Loss
God declares that He will give the people's 'substance and your treasures' as plunder due to their sins, and they will be taken into a land they do not know, as His anger burns against them (vv. 13-14).
Jeremiah 15:15–21 God's Assurance and Protection
Yahweh addresses Jeremiah's suffering directly, promising protection, presence, and eventual deliverance from his enemies, confirming that he will stand firm amidst opposition (vv. 15-21).
Key verses
Jeremiah 15:1Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah about His rejection of the people, declaring that even the intercession of 'Moses and Samuel' will not change His mind, initiating their judgment.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Jeremiah 15
- observeIn v1, what does Yahweh say about Moses and Samuel's intercession?
- observeWhat does Yahweh mean by ‘the sword to kill, the dogs to tear’ in v3?
- interpretIn v10, why does Jeremiah call himself 'a man of strife' and 'a man of contention'?
- interpretIn v18, why does Jeremiah question whether Yahweh will be like 'a deceitful brook'?
- applyWhen have you felt isolated like Jeremiah in v17 due to your beliefs?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Jeremiah 15
- Psalm 119Jeremiah 15:16 and Psalm 119:101Both keep the word: Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them," while Psalm 119:101 states, "I have kept my feet from every evil way."
- Revelation 10Jeremiah 15:16 and Revelation 10:9Both eat the word: Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them," while Revelation 10:9 states, "Take it, and eat it up."
- Ezekiel 3Jeremiah 15:16 and Ezekiel 3:1Both consume the word: Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them," while Ezekiel 3:1 states, "Eat what you find."
- Job 23Jeremiah 15:16 and Job 23:12Both treasure the word: Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them," while Job 23:12 states, "I have treasured up the words of his mouth."
- Psalm 19Jeremiah 15:16 and Psalm 19:10Both desire the word: Jeremiah 15:16 says, "Your words were found, and I ate them," while Psalm 19:10 states, "More to be desired are they than gold."
- Psalm 1Jeremiah 15:17 and Psalm 1:1Both avoid the wicked: Jeremiah 15:17 says, "I sat alone because of your hand," while Psalm 1:1 states, "Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked."
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Jeremiah 15
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Jeremiah: the whole bookJeremiah ministered longer through darker days than any other prophet: called as a young man around 627 BC in…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 238Day 238 of 365: Jeremiah 15–17.
- RepentanceWhat the Bible says about repentance, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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