Jeremiah 15:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Toward this people I will make you a fortified wall of bronze they will fight against you but not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and rescue you," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD.

American Standard Version:

And I will make thee unto this people a fortified brazen wall; and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith Jehovah.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I will make^{H5414} thee unto this people^{H5971} a fenced^{H1219} brasen^{H5178} wall^{H2346}: and they shall fight^{H3898} against thee, but they shall not prevail^{H3201} against thee: for I am with thee to save^{H3467} thee and to deliver^{H5337} thee, saith^{H5002} the LORD^{H3068}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Jeremiah 15:20

Jeremiah 15:20 is a part of the larger narrative of the Book of Jeremiah, which is set during a tumultuous period in the history of Judah, around the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. This was a time when the kingdom was under threat from the expanding Babylonian Empire, and the religious and political leadership of Judah was deeply corrupt and idolatrous, leading to moral decay and social injustice.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to the prophet Jeremiah, promising divine protection and support. Jeremiah had been called to deliver a difficult and unpopular message to the people and their leaders—a message of impending doom and exile if they did not repent and turn back to God. Not surprisingly, Jeremiah's messages were met with hostility and rejection.

The themes of Jeremiah 15:20 include divine protection, the assurance of God's presence, and the inevitability of conflict when one stands for truth and righteousness. God promises to make Jeremiah like a "fenced brasen wall," an image of strength and impenetrability, suggesting that while Jeremiah will face opposition and attempts to undermine his message ("they shall fight against thee"), he will not be overcome ("they shall not prevail against thee"). This promise is grounded in the assurance of God's saving presence ("for I [am] with thee to save thee and to deliver thee").

This verse reflects the broader motif in the Bible of God's prophets facing persecution and the assurance that God will ultimately vindicate and protect those who are faithful in delivering His messages, even in the face of severe opposition. It also speaks to the enduring nature of God's word and the ultimate triumph of truth over adversity. Jeremiah's experiences prefigure the trials that future prophets and apostles would face, and indeed, the challenges that all faithful followers of God may encounter as they seek to live out their faith in a hostile world.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5971
   There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַם
   Transliteration: ʻam
   Pronunciation: am
   Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1219
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּצַר
   Transliteration: bâtsar
   Pronunciation: baw-tsar'
   Description: a primitive root; to clip off; specifically (as denominative from בָּצִיר); to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification); cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5178
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְחֹשֶׁת
   Transliteration: nᵉchôsheth
   Pronunciation: nekh-o'-sheth
   Description: for נְחוּשָׁה; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver); brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2346
   There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חוֹמָה
   Transliteration: chôwmâh
   Pronunciation: kho-maw'
   Description: feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3898
   There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָחַם
   Transliteration: lâcham
   Pronunciation: law-kham'
   Description: a primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction); devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring).
   
7. Strong's Number: H3201
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכֹל
   Transliteration: yâkôl
   Pronunciation: yaw-kole'
   Description: or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3467
   There are 198 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁע
   Transliteration: yâshaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-shah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor; [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory.
   
9. Strong's Number: H5337
   There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָצַל
   Transliteration: nâtsal
   Pronunciation: naw-tsal'
   Description: a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense; [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5002
    There are 358 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נְאֻם
    Transliteration: nᵉʼum
    Pronunciation: neh-oom'
    Description: from נָאַם; an oracle; (hath) said, saith.
    
11. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.