Jeremiah 15:14
And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתִּי֙
And I will make thee to pass
H5674
וְהַֽעֲבַרְתִּי֙
And I will make thee to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
1 of 12
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑עְתָּ
which thou knowest
H3045
יָדָ֑עְתָּ
which thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 12
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְאַפִּ֖י
in mine anger
H639
בְאַפִּ֖י
in mine anger
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
Cross References
Jeremiah 16:13Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.Deuteronomy 32:22For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.Psalms 21:9Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.Jeremiah 17:4And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.Deuteronomy 28:36The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
Historical Context
The Babylonian exile forcibly relocated Judeans to Mesopotamia, a foreign land with different language, culture, and climate. This dislocation fulfilled the covenant curse of exile (Deuteronomy 28:36-37, 64-68).
Questions for Reflection
- How does exile to unknown lands represent loss of identity and security?
- What does the fire metaphor teach about the nature and intensity of God's wrath?
- How should understanding God's wrath as 'kindled' against sin affect our view of its seriousness?
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Analysis & Commentary
The consequence continues: 'And I will make thee to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.' Exile to unknown lands is threatened. The phrase 'pass with thine enemies' depicts deportation as captives. The destination—'a land which thou knowest not'—emphasizes the disorientation and trauma of forced relocation. The cause: 'a fire is kindled in mine anger.' God's wrath is active, burning against them. This anthropomorphic language ('kindled,' 'burn') emphasizes divine judgment's intensity. The Reformed doctrine of God's wrath sees it as His settled, righteous opposition to sin—not emotional instability but holy hatred of evil.