Jeremiah 13:14

KJV

And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will dash {H5310} them one {H376} against another {H251}, even the fathers {H1} and the sons {H1121} together {H3162}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: I will not pity {H2550}, nor spare {H2347}, nor have mercy {H7355}, but destroy {H7843} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I will smash them one against another, even fathers and sons together,' says ADONAI 'I will show neither pity nor compassion, but I will destroy them relentlessly.'"'"

Berean Standard Bible

I will smash them against one another, fathers and sons alike, declares the LORD. I will allow no mercy or pity or compassion to keep Me from destroying them.’”

American Standard Version

And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith Jehovah: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have compassion, that I should not destroy them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:14 delivers a chilling declaration of divine judgment against unrepentant Judah, portraying a complete and merciless destruction. The Lord vows to shatter the nation from within, indiscriminately striking down both old and young, emphasizing that His patience has reached its limit. This verse underscores the irreversible consequences of persistent rebellion and idolatry, revealing a God who, while merciful, is also just and unwavering in executing judgment when His covenant people refuse to heed His warnings and turn from their sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:14 concludes a series of vivid prophetic metaphors and pronouncements of judgment in Jeremiah 13. The chapter begins with the symbolic act of the linen belt, which Jeremiah was commanded to wear and then bury, only for it to become ruined (Jeremiah 13:1-11). This act symbolized Judah's pride and spiritual corruption, which had rendered them useless to God, despite their once close relationship. Following this, the prophet uses the parable of wine jars, stating that every jar would be filled with wine, leading to drunkenness and internal strife, symbolizing the judgment that would fill every inhabitant of Judah, from king to commoner (Jeremiah 13:12-13). Verse 14 then directly follows, explicitly stating the Lord's intention to "dash them one against another," a direct consequence of the spiritual intoxication and moral decay described earlier in the chapter. This verse serves as a climactic declaration of the inevitable and severe nature of the impending Babylonian invasion and exile, which would be God's direct instrument of punishment for their unfaithfulness, as seen throughout [the book of Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Prophecies of Jeremiah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the people of Judah, including their kings and priests, largely continued in their idolatrous practices, covenant unfaithfulness, and social injustice. They had embraced the worship of foreign gods, particularly Baal and Asherah, and engaged in practices condemned by the Mosaic Law. The phrase "fathers and sons together" highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting all generations and social strata, a common theme in covenant curses for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The imagery of dashing people against each other evokes the brutal realities of ancient warfare and conquest, where cities were sacked, and populations were subjected to violence and forced displacement. This was not merely a human conflict but God's righteous judgment being executed through a foreign power, as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - God's Instrument of Judgment").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 13:14 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, demonstrating God's active role in punishing sin when His covenant people remain unrepentant. This is not arbitrary anger but a righteous response to persistent rebellion against His holiness and covenant demands. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Persistent Rebellion and Covenant Infidelity**. Judah's repeated turning away from the Lord, despite His persistent calls to repentance, led to an irreversible point of no return, where divine patience gave way to punitive justice. Thirdly, the phrase "fathers and sons together" emphasizes the **Comprehensive and Universal Nature of the Coming Destruction**, indicating that no one would be exempt from the impending catastrophe, reflecting the widespread corruption within the society. Finally, the stark declaration, "I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy," reveals the **Finality and Severity of God's Decree** once His long-suffering has been exhausted, a solemn reminder that divine mercy, though vast, is not infinite in the face of hardened hearts, as also warned in [Lamentations 2:17](/lamentations/2-17 "Lamentations 2:17 - God's Unrelenting Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dash (Hebrew, _nâphats'_):** From H5310, meaning "to dash to pieces, or scatter; be beaten in sunder, break (in pieces), broken, dash (in pieces), cause to be discharged, dispersed, be overspread, scatter." This word conveys extreme violence and fragmentation. It suggests a complete shattering, not merely a collision, implying that the societal fabric of Judah would be utterly broken and dispersed, both internally and externally through exile.
* **Pity (Hebrew, _châmal'_):** From H2550, meaning "to commiserate; by implication, to spare; have compassion, (have) pity, spare." This term denotes a deep emotional response of compassion or clemency. Its negation in the verse, "I will not pity," signifies God's deliberate withholding of the very compassion He is known for, underscoring the severity and finality of His judgment.
* **Destroy (Hebrew, _shâchath'_):** From H7843, meaning "to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively); batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r)." This word emphasizes utter ruin and devastation. It points to a comprehensive undoing, not just punishment but a complete obliteration of the existing order, leaving behind desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will dash them one against another":** This phrase vividly depicts an internal, self-destructive chaos orchestrated by God. It implies societal breakdown, civil strife, and a violent unraveling of relationships, where people turn on each other, exacerbated by divine decree. The "dashing" suggests a forceful, shattering impact.
* **"even the fathers and the sons together":** This specifies the comprehensive nature of the judgment. It signifies that no age group, no family unit, and no social stratum will be exempt from the impending catastrophe. The destruction will be universal, affecting the entire population without distinction or partiality.
* **"saith the LORD":** This is a prophetic formula, a divine imprimatur, authenticating the declaration as a direct word from Yahweh (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068). It removes any doubt that this is a human prediction; rather, it is a sovereign decree from the ultimate authority, ensuring its certainty and inevitability.
* **"I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them":** This is a powerful and emphatic declaration of God's resolve. The triple negation ("not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy") serves as a Hebrew idiom for absolute certainty and finality. It conveys that God's long-suffering has been exhausted, and the time for clemency is over. His intention is not merely to punish but to utterly ruin and bring to an end the rebellious nation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:14 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message of severe judgment. The most striking is **Imagery**, specifically the vivid and violent image of God "dashing them one against another." This evokes the chaotic and brutal reality of societal collapse and the relentless force of divine wrath, perhaps akin to smashing pottery or colliding objects. This is further intensified by **Hyperbole**, as the literal act of God physically dashing people together emphasizes the overwhelming and inescapable nature of the judgment, even if the actual means are through human agents (like the Babylonians). The phrase "fathers and sons together" functions as a form of **Merism**, representing the totality of the population by naming two extreme or representative parts, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of the impending destruction. Finally, the repeated negation, "I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy," is a powerful example of **Repetition** and **Triple Negation**, a rhetorical device used in Hebrew to convey absolute certainty and finality. It leaves no room for ambiguity regarding God's unwavering determination to execute judgment, highlighting the complete absence of clemency in this particular decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:14 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the ultimate consequences of unrepentant sin. It reveals that while God is infinitely merciful and slow to anger, His patience is not limitless. When a people consistently rejects His covenant, spurns His warnings, and hardens their hearts against Him, a point of no return can be reached where His righteous judgment is fully enacted. This verse underscores the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate perpetual wickedness, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The comprehensive nature of the destruction ("fathers and sons together") highlights that sin affects all levels of society and that collective rebellion can lead to collective ruin. This serves as a sober reminder that God's character encompasses both boundless love and uncompromising justice.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Invasion") – Foreshadows the nature of the invaders God would send against a disobedient Israel, including their mercilessness.
* [Lamentations 2:21](/lamentations/2-21 "Lamentations 2:21 - The Sword's Indiscriminate Devastation") – Describes the fulfillment of such prophecies, where "youth and old man lie on the ground in the streets" during Jerusalem's destruction.
* [Hosea 13:7-8](/hosea/13-7 "Hosea 13:7-8 - God's Fierce Judgment") – Illustrates God's transformation into a fierce predator when His people reject Him, emphasizing His destructive power.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:14, though a stark declaration of judgment against ancient Judah, offers timeless and sobering lessons for all generations. It compels us to confront the profound gravity of sin and the ultimate consequences of persistent rebellion against a holy God. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, the principle remains: God is just, and He will not be mocked. This verse serves as a powerful call to humility and genuine repentance, reminding us that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite. It challenges us to examine our own lives and societies for areas of spiritual apathy, idolatry, or unrepentance, urging us to turn back to the Lord with sincerity before a point of no return is reached. Understanding the severity of God's judgment in the Old Testament deepens our appreciation for the boundless mercy offered through Christ, who bore the full weight of God's wrath on our behalf.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in Jeremiah 13:14 deepen your understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might individuals or societies today be "dashing themselves one against another" through internal strife or moral decay?**
* **What specific areas in your own life might require a deeper level of repentance and a renewed commitment to God's ways?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's past judgments inform your appreciation for His present mercy and grace?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God is without mercy?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean God is inherently without mercy. Rather, it signifies a specific moment in redemptive history where God's long-suffering patience with Judah's persistent rebellion and idolatry had been exhausted. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly demonstrates His mercy, compassion, and willingness to forgive those who repent (e.g., [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion")). However, Jeremiah 13:14 highlights that divine mercy is not infinite in the face of hardened hearts and unrepentant sin. For Judah, at this particular juncture, the time for clemency had passed, and the consequences of their choices were unavoidable. It speaks to the finality of a specific judgment, not a permanent attribute of God's character.

**How can a loving God command such destruction?**

Answer: This is a challenging but crucial question. The Bible presents God as both loving and just. His love is demonstrated through His covenant relationship with Israel, His persistent warnings, and His desire for their repentance. However, His justice demands that sin be punished. The destruction described in Jeremiah 13:14 is not arbitrary cruelty but a righteous response to centuries of covenant unfaithfulness, idolatry, and social injustice that had deeply corrupted Judah. From a biblical perspective, God's judgment is often a form of divine discipline, a consequence of rejecting His life-giving commands, and ultimately, a demonstration of His holiness. It also serves as a warning for future generations of the seriousness of sin and the importance of living in obedience to Him. The severity of the judgment underscores the gravity of their rebellion against the One who had faithfully chosen and sustained them, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 13:14 speaks of God's fierce judgment upon unrepentant Judah, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how God's righteous wrath against sin was fully satisfied in Jesus Christ. The "dashing" and "destroying" described here, which fell upon Judah, foreshadows the ultimate judgment due to all humanity for its rebellion against God. However, instead of dashing us "one against another," God, in His infinite mercy, allowed His Son, Jesus, to be "dashed" and broken for us. On the cross, Jesus became the recipient of the divine wrath that humanity deserved, experiencing the full weight of God's "not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy" against sin, so that those who believe might never face it themselves (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")). Through Christ's sacrifice, the comprehensive destruction threatened by the Old Covenant's curses is averted for believers, and a new covenant of grace and mercy is established (e.g., [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "A Superior Covenant")). The very mercy that was withheld from unrepentant Judah in Jeremiah 13:14 is now lavishly poured out through the atoning work of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), demonstrating that God's ultimate character is indeed merciful and gracious, but only through the perfect satisfaction of His justice in His Son (e.g., [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Faith")).

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

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Jeremiah 21:7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Jeremiah 6:21

Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

Isaiah 9:20

And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

Isaiah 9:21

Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: [and] they together [shall be] against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.