Jeremiah 13:19
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
Original Language Analysis
עָרֵ֥י
The cities
H5892
עָרֵ֥י
The cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
1 of 10
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַנֶּ֛גֶב
of the south
H5045
הַנֶּ֛גֶב
of the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
2 of 10
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
פֹּתֵ֑חַ
and none shall open
H6605
פֹּתֵ֑חַ
and none shall open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
5 of 10
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הָגְלָ֥ת
carried away captive
H1540
הָגְלָ֥ת
carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
6 of 10
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
יְהוּדָ֛ה
them Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֛ה
them Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
7 of 10
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
כֻּלָּ֖הּ
H3605
כֻּלָּ֖הּ
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Jeremiah 52:27And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.Jeremiah 39:9Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.Jeremiah 52:30In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.Deuteronomy 28:52And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.2 Kings 25:21And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against Judah included southern territories. Archaeological surveys confirm destruction and abandonment of Negev settlements during this period. The three deportations (605, 597, 586 BC) progressively emptied the land. The exile was indeed comprehensive—though a remnant remained, the organized society was entirely dismantled.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'cities shut up with none to open' picture about post-judgment desolation?
- How does the emphasis on 'all' and 'wholly' counter any hope of partial escape?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces southern devastation: 'The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.' 'Cities of the south' (arei hanegev) refers to the Negev region, southern Judah's dry zone. 'Shut up' (suggeru) means closed, with no one to open—depopulated, abandoned. 'Judah carried away captive all of it' (galtha Yehuda kulah)—complete deportation. 'Wholly carried away' (galtha shelomim) emphasizes totality—everyone, entirely. The prophetic announcement of comprehensive exile includes even distant southern cities.