Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
Original Language Analysis
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְפִרִ֔ים
The young lions
H3715
כְפִרִ֔ים
The young lions
Strong's:
H3715
Word #:
3 of 12
a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)
נָתְנ֖וּ
upon him and yelled
H5414
נָתְנ֖וּ
upon him and yelled
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָרָ֥יו
his cities
H5892
עָרָ֥יו
his cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 12
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
נִצְּת֖הּ
are burned
H3341
נִצְּת֖הּ
are burned
Strong's:
H3341
Word #:
10 of 12
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:7The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.Jeremiah 50:17Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.Isaiah 1:7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.Isaiah 5:29Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.Jeremiah 9:11And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.
Historical Context
This verse from Jeremiah 2 continues God's covenant lawsuit against Judah, delivered during the late 7th century BC as the nation spiraled toward Babylonian exile. The prophetic indictment addresses systematic idolatry, failed political alliances, and spiritual adultery that characterized Judah from Manasseh through Jehoiakim's reigns. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread syncretistic worship practices condemned here.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this accusation against ancient Israel reveal patterns of spiritual unfaithfulness that might appear in different forms today?
- What does God's persistent lawsuit demonstrate about His desire for His people's return versus immediate judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Enemy nations depicted as roaring young lions make Israel's land waste and burn cities. This vivid imagery describes Assyria and Babylon's devastating invasions as consequence of covenant unfaithfulness.