Jeremiah 30:13
There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.
Original Language Analysis
דָּ֥ן
There is none to plead
H1777
דָּ֥ן
There is none to plead
Strong's:
H1777
Word #:
2 of 8
to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)
דִּינֵ֖ךְ
thy cause
H1779
דִּינֵ֖ךְ
thy cause
Strong's:
H1779
Word #:
3 of 8
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
לְמָז֑וֹר
that thou mayest be bound up
H4205
לְמָז֑וֹר
that thou mayest be bound up
Strong's:
H4205
Word #:
4 of 8
a bandage, i.e., remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress)
Cross References
Jeremiah 46:11Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.Jeremiah 8:22Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?Jeremiah 33:6Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.Jeremiah 30:17For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Historical Context
Written during the Babylonian siege (588-586 BC), this verse captures Jerusalem's total abandonment by her former political allies (Egypt, surrounding nations) who could not or would not help against Nebuchadnezzar's armies.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you experienced spiritual hopelessness where no human remedy could help?
- How does recognizing Christ as your advocate change how you approach God in times of guilt and shame?
- What 'healing medicines' do people today trust in instead of seeking God's restoration?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
There is none to plead thy cause (אֵין דָּן דִּינֵךְ, 'ein dan dinekh')—Israel stands utterly alone in her distress, with no advocate (דָּן, 'dan', legal defender) to plead her case. The metaphor shifts to medical hopelessness: no healing medicines (רְפֻאוֹת תְּעָלָה, 'refu'ot te'alah', literally 'remedies for new flesh'). This depicts the exile as both judicial condemnation and terminal illness.
Yet this very hopelessness prepares for God's sovereign intervention—when human remedies fail, divine grace alone can heal. Christ becomes our ultimate advocate (παράκλητος, 1 John 2:1) and great physician (Luke 5:31), healing wounds no earthly remedy could touch.