Read & explore together
The Wineskins
Jeremiah 13:12–14 uses a familiar saying about wine containers, then turns it into a sharp word of judgement. What sounds obvious at first becomes a warning from Yahweh about the people of the land.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, Jeremiah is told to speak Yahweh’s message. The people answer the opening saying as something well known. Yahweh then gives his own meaning for it, naming kings, priests, prophets, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem before declaring severe judgement.
Jeremiah 13:12–14Main takeaway
This passage shows that Yahweh takes an ordinary saying and uses it to announce sweeping and serious judgement on his people.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An obvious sayingJeremiah must say, “Every container should be filled with wine.” The hearers reply that of course they know this.
Explanation
Jeremiah must say, “Every container should be filled with wine.” The hearers reply that of course they know this. Verse 12 presents a simple statement and the people’s direct answer. Yahweh then gives that saying a further meaning in the next verse.
02Filled with drunkennessYahweh says he will fill the inhabitants of the land with drunkenness. In this passage, that image belongs to judgement, not joy.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will fill the inhabitants of the land with drunkenness. In this passage, that image belongs to judgement, not joy. The language echoes the opening saying about filled containers, but now the picture is applied to people under Yahweh’s warning.
03No group is outside the warningThe message names “the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem”.
Explanation
The message names “the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem”. This makes the scope plain. Both leaders and the wider population are included, so the warning is not limited to one class of people.
04A severe end to the messageVerse 14 states the outcome in stark terms. Yahweh says, “I will dash them one against another,” including fathers and sons together.
Explanation
Verse 14 states the outcome in stark terms. Yahweh says, “I will dash them one against another,” including fathers and sons together. He also says he will not pity, spare, or have compassion. The passage ends by stressing the severity of this destruction.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do the people respond to the saying about containers and wine?
Notice their exact reply before Yahweh explains the image further.
02Who is specifically named in Yahweh’s warning?
List each group in verse 13 and observe how widely the message reaches.
03Which words in verse 14 make the judgement sound especially severe?
Look for the phrases about dashing, not pitying, not sparing, and destroying.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 13:12–14
12“Therefore you shall speak to them this word: ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “Every container should be filled with wine.” ’ They will tell you, ‘Do we not certainly know that every container should be filled with wine?’
13Then tell them, ‘Yahweh says, “Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
14I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together,” says Yahweh: “I will not pity, spare, or have compassion, that I should not destroy them.” ’ ”