Jeremiah 13:13

KJV

Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then shalt thou say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will fill {H4390} all the inhabitants {H3427} of this land {H776}, even the kings {H4428} that sit {H3427} upon David's {H1732} throne {H3678}, and the priests {H3548}, and the prophets {H5030}, and all the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, with drunkenness {H7943}.

Complete Jewish Bible

you are to answer them, "This is what ADONAI says: 'I am going to fill all the inhabitants of this land - including the kings sitting on the throne of David, the cohanim, the prophets and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim - with drunkenness.

Berean Standard Bible

then you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land—the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the people of Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:13 delivers a severe prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the kingdom of Judah, announcing God's unequivocal intention to inflict a metaphorical "drunkenness" upon all strata of society. This includes the ruling kings who occupy David's throne, the spiritual leaders (priests and prophets), and the common inhabitants of Jerusalem. This potent imagery vividly conveys a state of spiritual and moral stupor, confusion, and utter helplessness, signifying the nation's profound inability to comprehend or escape the impending divine wrath and the inevitable consequences of their persistent disobedience and widespread corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a series of vivid prophetic warnings and symbolic actions in [Jeremiah 13](/jeremiah/13 "Jeremiah 13 - The Ruined Belt and Drunkenness"). It immediately follows the profound parable of the ruined linen belt in [Jeremiah 13:1-11](/jeremiah/13-1-11 "Jeremiah 13:1-11 - The Parable of the Ruined Belt"), which graphically illustrated Judah's defilement and utter uselessness to God due to their unfaithfulness and pride. The declaration in [Jeremiah 13:13](/jeremiah/13-13 "Jeremiah 13:13 - God's Judgment of Drunkenness") functions as a direct, explicit explanation and amplification of the judgment foreshadowed by the ruined belt, emphasizing the nation's spiritual stupor and their impending inability to resist or avoid their fate. This pronouncement then sets the stage for Jeremiah's continued lament over Judah's stubborn pride and refusal to listen, leading to inevitable sorrow, as expressed in the poignant verses of [Jeremiah 13:15-17](/jeremiah/13-15-17 "Jeremiah 13:15-17 - A Call to Humility and Lament").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a profoundly tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE, leading directly to the devastating Babylonian exile. During this era, Judah found itself precariously positioned between the waning power of Assyria, the ascendant dominance of Babylon, and the lingering influence of Egypt. Spiritually, the nation had largely forsaken its covenant relationship with Yahweh, indulging in widespread idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and deep moral corruption, despite earlier attempts at reform under King Josiah. The "kings that sit upon David's throne" (e.g., Jehoiakim, Zedekiah) frequently pursued self-serving and idolatrous policies, actively resisting Jeremiah's dire prophetic warnings. Priests and prophets, who were divinely appointed to uphold God's law and speak His truth, were often complicit in the nation's apostasy, promoting false worship and misleading messages, a critique extensively developed in [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - False Prophets and True Shepherds"). The "inhabitants of Jerusalem" represented the very heart of the nation, both politically and religiously, and their pervasive sin meant that the impending judgment would spare no one.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 13:13](/jeremiah/13-13 "Jeremiah 13:13 - God's Judgment of Drunkenness") powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it starkly underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God as actively bringing about the just and inevitable consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion and covenant unfaithfulness. This theme is a cornerstone of Jeremiah's prophecy, echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Universal Corruption** that had permeated Judahite society, from the highest echelons of political and spiritual leadership to the common citizen. This pervasive moral and spiritual decay, where no one was exempt from accountability, is a recurring motif, as vividly seen in [Jeremiah 5:1-5](/jeremiah/5-1-5 "Jeremiah 5:1-5 - Searching for a Righteous Person"). Finally, the potent metaphor of "drunkenness" vividly conveys the theme of **Spiritual Stupor and Blindness**, illustrating the nation's profound inability to perceive divine warnings or the stark reality of their impending doom due to their moral insensitivity and self-deception, a condition Jeremiah frequently lamented (e.g., [Jeremiah 8:4-7](/jeremiah/8-4-7 "Jeremiah 8:4-7 - Judah's Stubbornness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From the verb "to be," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." This is the sacred covenant name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing His unchanging, sovereign nature and His absolute authority as the one who declares and executes judgment. The use of this specific name here underscores that the impending "drunkenness" and subsequent judgment are not random occurrences but a deliberate and just act of the covenant-keeping God against a covenant-breaking people.
* **sit (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** A primitive root meaning "to sit down," but by implication, "to dwell, to remain." In the context of "kings that sit upon David's throne," it denotes their established position of authority, their presumed security, and their right to rule. The prophetic irony is that this very "sitting" in power, which should have been a place of righteous governance and stability, would be fundamentally undermined by the divine judgment, leading to their inability to "remain" or "dwell" securely in their positions.
* **drunkenness (Hebrew, _shikkârôwn'_):** From a root meaning "to be intoxicated." It refers to a state of intoxication or stupor. In this profound prophetic context, it functions as a powerful metaphor for spiritual and moral disorientation, confusion, and utter helplessness. It implies a complete loss of control, discernment, and balance, rendering the people utterly vulnerable and unable to resist the overwhelming consequences of God's judgment, ultimately leading to their national collapse and exile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine origin and non-negotiable authority of the message. Jeremiah is merely the obedient messenger; the words are not his own but directly from Yahweh, emphasizing the certainty, solemnity, and absolute sovereignty of God over the destiny of His people and the impending judgment.
* **"Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land,"**: The interjection "Behold" (Hinnēh) serves to draw immediate and urgent attention to a shocking and certain truth. The declaration "I will fill" highlights God's active, intentional, and direct involvement in bringing about this judgment. "All the inhabitants of this land" signifies the comprehensive and universal scope of the coming judgment, indicating that no one, regardless of their social standing or geographical location within Judah, will be exempt from its devastating effects.
* **"even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem,"**: This detailed enumeration meticulously specifies the breadth of the judgment, demonstrating that it will encompass every single stratum of Judahite society. It targets the highest political leadership ("kings that sit upon David's throne," representing the royal line and its presumed authority), the spiritual guides ("priests, and the prophets," who were meant to mediate God's law and speak His word), and finally, the common people residing in the capital city ("all the inhabitants of Jerusalem"). This comprehensive list underscores that corruption and rebellion had permeated all levels, leading to collective accountability.
* **"with drunkenness."**: This is the core metaphorical declaration of judgment. It is not a literal state of intoxication but a profound spiritual and moral stupor, confusion, and utter helplessness. Just as a literally drunk person loses control, discernment, and balance, so too would Judah lose its ability to govern itself, make sound decisions, or resist the consequences of its actions, rendering them utterly vulnerable to the impending invasion, defeat, and exile.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:13 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of impending judgment with striking clarity and profound impact. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, where "drunkenness" is used to represent not literal intoxication but a profound spiritual stupor, moral disorientation, and utter helplessness in the face of divine wrath. This vivid metaphor powerfully portrays the nation's loss of discernment, control, and ability to resist, making them ripe for collapse. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" functions as an **Authoritative Declaration** or **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending immense weight and certainty to the prophecy, emphasizing its divine origin and absolute inevitability. Furthermore, the extensive listing of societal groups—"kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem"—is a form of **Merism** or **Comprehensive Enumeration**, signifying that the judgment will be universal and spare no one, from the highest echelons of power and spiritual authority to the common citizen. This detailed enumeration also serves as a rhetorical device of **Emphasis**, underscoring the pervasive nature of Judah's corruption and the impartial, all-encompassing nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:13 profoundly articulates God's righteous judgment against a deeply rebellious people. It reveals that divine wrath is not arbitrary but a just, inevitable response to persistent disobedience, widespread idolatry, and moral corruption that had permeated every level of Judahite society. The "drunkenness" metaphor highlights a spiritual blindness that prevents the recognition of impending doom, emphasizing that God's judgment can manifest as a removal of clarity, self-control, and the ability to resist, leading to utter vulnerability. This passage affirms God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to upholding His covenant, even through severe discipline. It foreshadows the complete breakdown of societal order and spiritual guidance when a nation collectively rejects its divine foundation, serving as a powerful testament to the consequences of spiritual apostasy.

* [Isaiah 51:17](/isaiah/51-17 "Isaiah 51:17 - The Cup of God's Fury")
* [Psalm 75:8](/psalm/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of Wrath")
* [Revelation 14:10](/revelation/14-10 "Revelation 14:10 - The Wine of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:13 serves as a profoundly sobering reminder of the inevitable consequences of spiritual apathy, pride, and persistent rebellion, applicable both to nations and to individual lives. It challenges us to critically examine our own hearts and the communities we belong to for any signs of "spiritual drunkenness"—a state where our spiritual discernment is dulled, moral boundaries become blurred, and clear warnings from God's Word or faithful voices are ignored or dismissed. This verse calls us to vigilance, urging us not to become complacent in our faith or to assume that our position, privilege, or religious affiliation grants immunity from divine scrutiny. It underscores the critical importance of heeding prophetic warnings, whether directly from Scripture or through the faithful proclamation of truth in our time, and cultivating a sensitive, humble heart that is quick to repent and turn back to God. Ultimately, it encourages a posture of active obedience and sincere humility, recognizing that true security and flourishing lie not in human institutions, self-deception, or worldly power, but in a vibrant, living, and obedient relationship with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might I, or my community, be experiencing a form of "spiritual drunkenness" that dulls our discernment or leads to moral compromise?**
* **How can I actively cultivate spiritual alertness, a sensitive conscience, and responsiveness to God's warnings in my daily life and choices?**
* **Considering the universal accountability highlighted in this verse, what specific areas of my life, or the society I inhabit, need to be brought before God for repentance, confession, and transformative change?**

### FAQ
**Is the "drunkenness" in Jeremiah 13:13 literal?**

Answer: No, the "drunkenness" described in [Jeremiah 13:13](/jeremiah/13-13 "Jeremiah 13:13 - God's Judgment of Drunkenness") is a powerful and vivid metaphor, not a literal physical state of intoxication. It signifies a profound spiritual and moral stupor, confusion, and utter helplessness. Just as a literally drunk person loses control, discernment, and balance, the people of Judah would lose their ability to make sound decisions, recognize divine warnings, or resist the consequences of their actions, rendering them utterly vulnerable to God's impending judgment and the Babylonian invasion. This metaphorical use of drunkenness to describe divine judgment and its disorienting effects is a common motif in prophetic literature, as also seen in passages like [Isaiah 29:9-10](/isaiah/29-9-10 "Isaiah 29:9-10 - Spiritual Stupor Leading to Blindness") and [Psalm 60:3](/psalm/60-3 "Psalm 60:3 - The Wine of Stupefaction").

**Why does God punish everyone, including kings, priests, and prophets?**

Answer: [Jeremiah 13:13](/jeremiah/13-13 "Jeremiah 13:13 - God's Judgment of Drunkenness") highlights the comprehensive nature of Judah's pervasive corruption. The kings, who sat on [David's throne](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - God's Covenant with David"), were meant to rule righteously and uphold God's law. The priests were responsible for mediating between God and the people, teaching the law, and maintaining spiritual purity ([Malachi 2:7](/malachi/2-7 "Malachi 2:7 - The Priest's Role")). The prophets were divinely appointed to speak God's truth to the nation, calling them to repentance and obedience ([Jeremiah 23:28](/jeremiah/23-28 "Jeremiah 23:28 - Speaking God's Word Faithfully")). When all these societal pillars—from the highest leadership to the general populace—had turned away from God, engaged in widespread idolatry, and practiced injustice, God's righteous judgment became universal. This demonstrates that no position, privilege, or religious office exempts individuals or nations from accountability for persistent rebellion against His covenant, a principle seen throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Amos 2:4-6](/amos/2-4-6 "Amos 2:4-6 - Judgment on Judah and Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 13:13 pronounces severe judgment on a rebellious Judah, its underlying message of divine justice and the consequences of spiritual blindness finds its ultimate resolution and redemptive reversal in Jesus Christ. The "drunkenness" of Judah represented their inability to perceive God's truth and their impending doom, a spiritual blindness that pervaded all humanity due to sin. Jesus, however, comes as the true "light of the world," opening the eyes of the spiritually blind and leading them out of darkness ([John 9:5](/john/9-5 "John 9:5 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He is the true and eternal King, not one who sits on a precarious earthly throne like the kings of Judah, but the one whose kingdom is everlasting and unshakeable ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")). He is the ultimate High Priest, offering a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that cleanses from sin, unlike the defiled and ineffective priests of Judah ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")). Furthermore, Jesus is the Prophet par excellence, speaking God's complete and final word, calling humanity not to judgment but to repentance and life ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in Christ")). In Christ, the cup of God's wrath, which causes "drunkenness" and judgment, was fully consumed by Him on the cross ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")), so that those who believe in Him might receive the Spirit of adoption, leading to spiritual clarity and life, rather than confusion and death ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")). Thus, the judgment foreshadowed in Jeremiah finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive reversal in Jesus, who delivers His people from the spiritual stupor of sin into the sober reality of His grace and truth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 63:6

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Psalms 60:3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Isaiah 51:17

¶ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, [and] wrung [them] out.

Psalms 75:8

For in the hand of the LORD [there is] a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring [them] out, [and] drink [them].

Habakkuk 2:16

Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing [shall be] on thy glory.

Jeremiah 25:27

Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.

Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.