Jeremiah 1:15

For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

For, lo, I will call {H7121} all the families {H4940} of the kingdoms {H4467} of the north {H6828}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; and they shall come {H935}, and they shall set {H5414} every one {H376} his throne {H3678} at the entering {H6607} of the gates {H8179} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and against all the walls {H2346} thereof round about {H5439}, and against all the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}.

because I will summon all the families in the kingdoms of the north," says ADONAI, "and they will come and sit, each one, on his throne at the entrance to the gates of Yerushalayim, opposite its walls, all the way around, and opposite all the cities of Y'hudah.

For I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD. “Their kings will come and set up their thrones at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah.

For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith Jehovah; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.

Jeremiah 1:15 is a powerful declaration of God's impending judgment upon the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. This verse immediately follows the prophet Jeremiah's initial call and the vision of the boiling pot, whose mouth faces away from the north, symbolizing disaster pouring out from that direction.

Context

This prophecy is delivered early in Jeremiah's prophetic calling, likely during the reign of King Josiah or shortly after. At this time, Judah was experiencing a brief spiritual revival under Josiah, but deep-seated idolatry and spiritual rebellion persisted among the people and leaders. The "kingdoms of the north" primarily refer to the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire, which would eventually conquer Assyria and then set its sights on Judah. While seemingly a human geopolitical threat, God declares that He is the one who will "call" them, indicating His divine orchestration of historical events as a means of judgment for Judah's unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew: ne'um YHWH) underscores that this is not merely a political prediction but a direct word from God. He is fully in control, even using pagan nations as His instruments of wrath, a theme seen elsewhere in scripture (e.g., God using Assyria as His rod of judgment in Isaiah).
  • Certainty of Punishment: The declaration "I will call" leaves no doubt about the inevitability of the invasion. The enemy will "come" and "set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem," symbolizing complete conquest and the establishment of foreign authority right where justice and defense were traditionally administered.
  • Widespread Devastation: The prophecy extends beyond Jerusalem's gates and walls to "all the cities of Judah," signifying a comprehensive and overwhelming military campaign that would impact the entire nation, leading to the devastating Babylonian siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of setting a "throne at the entering of the gates" is highly symbolic. In ancient Near Eastern cities, the city gate was not just an entrance but a vital public space where legal proceedings took place, elders sat, and kings or officials held court. For invaders to set their thrones there signified not just military victory, but the complete overthrow of Judah's sovereignty, justice, and self-governance. It was a profound act of humiliation and subjugation, demonstrating that foreign rule would be imposed on every aspect of life.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 1:15 serves as a timeless reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history. It teaches us that:

  1. Warnings Must Be Heeded: God's patience is immense, but His warnings are serious and carry consequences for persistent disobedience.
  2. God Uses Various Means: The Lord can employ unexpected instruments, even seemingly hostile forces, to accomplish His divine purposes, whether for judgment or for ultimate redemption.
  3. Faith Amidst Turmoil: Even when circumstances seem chaotic or threatening, believers can find peace in knowing that God remains on His throne, orchestrating all things according to His perfect will, ultimately working for His glory and the good of His people (Romans 8:28).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 4:16

    Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 25:9

    Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

  • Jeremiah 9:11

    And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

  • Jeremiah 43:10

    And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

  • Jeremiah 39:3

    And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, [even] Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

  • Isaiah 22:7

    And it shall come to pass, [that] thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

  • Jeremiah 10:25

    Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

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