Read & explore together
Captivity Threatened
Jeremiah 13:15–27 is a prophetic warning that calls people to listen, turn from pride, and face the seriousness of forgetting Yahweh. The passage speaks about captivity, grief, shame, and stubborn evil.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage addresses Judah, its rulers, and Jerusalem. It begins with a call to hear and give glory to Yahweh, then speaks of tears over captivity, humbled leaders, people coming from the north, and judgement explained by iniquity, forgotten loyalty to Yahweh, and trust in falsehood.
Jeremiah 13:15–27Main takeaway
This passage teaches that pride, persistent evil, and forgetting Yahweh bring shame, loss, and captivity.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Hear before darkness comesThe passage opens with a strong appeal to listen and not be proud, because Yahweh has spoken.
Explanation
The passage opens with a strong appeal to listen and not be proud, because Yahweh has spoken. Giving glory to Yahweh is urged before darkness comes, before feet stumble, and before hoped-for light becomes deep darkness. The warning shows that pride stands against hearing and responding rightly to Yahweh’s word.
02Grief and fallen crownsIf the people refuse to hear, the speaker says he will weep in secret because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive.
Explanation
If the people refuse to hear, the speaker says he will weep in secret because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive. The king and the queen mother are told to humble themselves and sit down, for their crowns have come down. The cities are shut up, and Judah is wholly carried away captive.
03The flock lost and trouble approachingThe people are told to lift up their eyes and see those coming from the north. A question asks where their beautiful flock is.
Explanation
The people are told to lift up their eyes and see those coming from the north. A question asks where their beautiful flock is. Another asks what they will say when others are set over them, including those once treated as friends. The image of labour pains shows trouble taking hold of them.
04Why these things comeThe passage answers the question of why this judgement comes. It points to the greatness of iniquity and says the people are accustomed to doing evil.
Explanation
The passage answers the question of why this judgement comes. It points to the greatness of iniquity and says the people are accustomed to doing evil. Therefore Yahweh will scatter them like stubble in the wilderness wind. This measured portion comes because they have forgotten Yahweh and trusted in falsehood.
05Shame exposed and uncleanness namedThe final verses use public shame imagery to describe judgement. Yahweh says he has seen Jerusalem’s abominations, adulteries, lewdness, and prostitution on the hills in the field.
Explanation
The final verses use public shame imagery to describe judgement. Yahweh says he has seen Jerusalem’s abominations, adulteries, lewdness, and prostitution on the hills in the field. The passage ends with a woe to Jerusalem and the words, “You will not be made clean. How long will it yet be?”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What commands are given before the picture of darkness and stumbling appears?
Notice the call to hear, give ear, and give glory to Yahweh before light turns to deep darkness.
02How does the passage show that both rulers and the wider people are affected by captivity?
Look at the king and queen mother being humbled, and at Judah and Yahweh’s flock being carried away captive.
03According to these verses, what reasons are given for shame and scattering?
The passage points to iniquity, being accustomed to evil, forgetting Yahweh, and trusting in falsehood.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 13:15–27
15Hear, and give ear. Don’t be proud, for Yahweh has spoken.
16Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death, and makes it deep darkness.
17But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eye will weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock has been taken captive.
18Say to the king and to the queen mother, “Humble yourselves. Sit down, for your crowns have come down, even the crown of your glory.
19The cities of the South are shut up, and there is no one to open them. Judah is carried away captive: all of them. They are wholly carried away captive.
20Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you, your beautiful flock?
21What will you say when he sets over you as head those whom you have yourself taught to be friends to you? Won’t sorrows take hold of you, as of a woman in travail?
22If you say in your heart, “Why have these things come on me?” Your skirts are uncovered because of the greatness of your iniquity, and your heels suffer violence.
23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.
24“Therefore I will scatter them as the stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness.
25This is your lot, the portion measured to you from me,” says Yahweh, “because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.”
26Therefore I will also uncover your skirts on your face, and your shame will appear.
27I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries and your neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, Jerusalem! You will not be made clean. How long will it yet be?”