Jeremiah 15:19
Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
H7725
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
H7725
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְפָנַ֣י
before
H6440
לְפָנַ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
תַּֽעֲמֹ֔ד
and thou shalt stand
H5975
תַּֽעֲמֹ֔ד
and thou shalt stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
9 of 22
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
10 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תּוֹצִ֥יא
me and if thou take forth
H3318
תּוֹצִ֥יא
me and if thou take forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִזּוֹלֵ֖ל
from the vile
H2151
מִזּוֹלֵ֖ל
from the vile
Strong's:
H2151
Word #:
13 of 22
figuratively, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal
כְּפִ֣י
thou shalt be as my mouth
H6310
כְּפִ֣י
thou shalt be as my mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
14 of 22
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
תִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
H7725
תָשׁ֥וּב
If thou return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
16 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Zechariah 3:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.Ezekiel 44:23And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.Leviticus 10:10And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;Luke 21:15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.Ezekiel 22:26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,Hebrews 5:14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.Acts 20:27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.Jeremiah 15:1Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.Exodus 4:12Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Historical Context
Prophets often lived isolated lives due to their unpopular messages and calls to holiness. Jeremiah's celibacy (Jeremiah 16:1-2) and separation from normal social life symbolized coming judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does prophetic loneliness teach about the cost of faithful ministry?
- How do we balance holy separation from sin with evangelistic engagement with sinners?
- What does being 'filled with indignation' over sin look like in contemporary Christian life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah protests his isolation: 'I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.' His separation from 'mockers' was deliberate—faithfulness to God necessitated separation from the ungodly. The phrase 'I sat alone' describes the loneliness of prophetic ministry. The cause: 'thy hand'—God's calling isolated him. Being 'filled with indignation' means carrying God's righteous anger against sin, making fellowship with sin-celebrating people impossible. This illustrates the cost of holiness: separation from worldly companionship. The Reformed tradition values this holy separation while guarding against pharisaical isolation.