Jeremiah 24:9
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.
Original Language Analysis
וּנְתַתִּים֙
And I will deliver
H5414
וּנְתַתִּים֙
And I will deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
לְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
into all the kingdoms
H4467
מַמְלְכ֣וֹת
into all the kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
5 of 15
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
וּלְמָשָׁל֙
and a proverb
H4912
וּלְמָשָׁל֙
and a proverb
Strong's:
H4912
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת
in all places
H4725
הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת
in all places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 15:4And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.Jeremiah 29:18And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:Deuteronomy 28:37And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.Jeremiah 34:17Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.1 Kings 9:7Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:Isaiah 65:15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:Jeremiah 29:22And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;Jeremiah 25:18To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day;Jeremiah 26:6Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
Historical Context
This prophecy found fulfillment in multiple stages: Jerusalem's 586 BC destruction, Gedaliah's assassination leading to Egyptian flight (Jeremiah 40-44), and eventual Babylonian campaigns into Egypt (568 BC). Jewish refugees became proverbial examples of divine judgment, their fate warning others about covenant rebellion. This reputation persisted through subsequent exiles under Rome (70 AD, 135 AD).
Questions for Reflection
- How might your disobedience make you a negative example warning others?
- What does it mean to be a 'proverb' or cautionary tale in your community?
- How does God use visible judgment to teach others about covenant consequences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse (וּנְתַתִּים לְזַעֲוָה לְרָעָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ לְחֶרְפָּה וּלְמָשָׁל לִשְׁנִינָה וְלִקְלָלָה, un'tattim l'za'avah l'ra'ah l'khol mamlekhot ha'arets l'cherpah ul'mashal lishnina v'liqlalah). The fourfold designation—reproach (חֶרְפָּה), proverb (מָשָׁל), taunt (שְׁנִינָה), curse (קְלָלָה)—emphasizes comprehensive infamy. They would become object lessons of divine judgment, scattered for their hurt (לְרָעָה, l'ra'ah—'for evil/harm').
This reverses Abrahamic covenant promises. God promised Abraham 'I will make thy name great' (Genesis 12:2) and bless the nations through his seed. Now Judah becomes a byword for cursing among nations. The verb נָתַן (natan, 'deliver/give') indicates active divine agency—God Himself scatters them as warning to others. Their suffering serves pedagogical purposes for surrounding nations, demonstrating covenant curse's reality.