Jeremiah 13:21

Authorized King James Version

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What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

Original Language Analysis

מַה H4100
מַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 1 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תֹּֽאמְרִי֙ What wilt thou say H559
תֹּֽאמְרִי֙ What wilt thou say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 3 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִפְקֹ֣ד when he shall punish H6485
יִפְקֹ֣ד when he shall punish
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 4 of 17
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עָלַ֔יִךְ H5921
עָלַ֔יִךְ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְ֠אַתְּ H859
וְ֠אַתְּ
Strong's: H859
Word #: 6 of 17
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
לִמַּ֨דְתְּ thee for thou hast taught H3925
לִמַּ֨דְתְּ thee for thou hast taught
Strong's: H3925
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
אֹתָ֥ם H853
אֹתָ֥ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָלַ֛יִךְ H5921
עָלַ֛יִךְ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַלֻּפִ֖ים them to be captains H441
אַלֻּפִ֖ים them to be captains
Strong's: H441
Word #: 10 of 17
familiar; a friend, also gentle; and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle)
לְרֹ֑אשׁ and as chief H7218
לְרֹ֑אשׁ and as chief
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 11 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הֲל֤וֹא H3808
הֲל֤וֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
חֲבָלִים֙ over thee shall not sorrows H2256
חֲבָלִים֙ over thee shall not sorrows
Strong's: H2256
Word #: 13 of 17
ruin
יֹאחֱז֔וּךְ take H270
יֹאחֱז֔וּךְ take
Strong's: H270
Word #: 14 of 17
to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
כְּמ֖וֹ H3644
כְּמ֖וֹ
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 15 of 17
as, thus, so
אֵ֥שֶׁת thee as a woman H802
אֵ֥שֶׁת thee as a woman
Strong's: H802
Word #: 16 of 17
a woman
לֵדָֽה׃ in travail H3205
לֵדָֽה׃ in travail
Strong's: H3205
Word #: 17 of 17
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

Analysis & Commentary

This verse announces unexpected reversal: 'What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captain, and as chief over thee.' When punishment comes, what excuse will remain? 'Thou hast taught them' (limmadt otham)—Jerusalem trained her own destroyers! Those she cultivated as 'captain' (alluf, chief, leader) and 'chief' (rosh, head) now rule over her as conquerors. The nations she courted as allies become oppressors. 'Shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?' Birth pangs (chavalim) picture sudden, inescapable, intensifying pain. Judgment arrives like labor—unavoidable once begun.

Historical Context

Judah's alliance politics—courting Egypt, then Babylon—created the relationships that destroyed her. Nebuchadnezzar, once Judah's suzerain whom they acknowledged, became the instrument of destruction when they rebelled. The nations they trained themselves to trust betrayed that trust. Political maneuvering produced the very enemies who destroyed them.

Questions for Reflection

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