Jeremiah 13:25

KJV

This [is] thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

KJV (with Strong's)

This is thy lot {H1486}, the portion {H4490} of thy measures {H4055} from me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; because thou hast forgotten {H7911} me, and trusted {H982} in falsehood {H8267}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is what you get," says ADONAI, "the portion I measure out to you, because you have forgotten me and trusted in the lie.

Berean Standard Bible

This is your lot, the portion I have measured to you,” declares the LORD, “because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood.

American Standard Version

This is thy lot, the portion measured unto thee from me, saith Jehovah; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:25 serves as a solemn divine declaration to the kingdom of Judah, articulating the direct and inescapable consequences of their profound spiritual apostasy. The verse reveals that the nation's impending "lot" or destiny of judgment is not arbitrary misfortune but a just measure from the LORD, directly attributable to their covenantal forgetfulness of Him and their misplaced trust in deceptive, empty alternatives. It encapsulates the principle that spiritual rebellion inevitably leads to divinely ordained and severe repercussions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13 is a chapter rich in symbolic actions and prophetic pronouncements, setting a somber tone for Judah's impending doom. The chapter opens with the metaphor of a soiled linen girdle ([Jeremiah 13:1](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1 - The Linen Girdle")), which God commands Jeremiah to wear and then bury, symbolizing Judah's once-close relationship with God now defiled by pride and idolatry, destined for ruin. This is followed by the illustration of `wine jars filled with wine` ([Jeremiah 13:12](/jeremiah/13-12 "Jeremiah 13:12 - The Wine Jars")), which, despite appearing full, are destined to be shattered, representing the nation's drunkenness on their own sin and their inevitable fragmentation. Verse 25 acts as a climactic summary statement, explicitly stating the divine rationale behind these vivid warnings: Judah's abandonment of the LORD and reliance on falsehoods. It directly precedes Jeremiah's lament over their pride and refusal to repent ([Jeremiah 13:15](/jeremiah/13-15 "Jeremiah 13:15 - A Call to Humility")), reinforcing the direct link between their actions and their decreed fate.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. This was a time of significant political instability, with Judah caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining influence of Egypt and Assyria. Culturally, despite periods of reform, idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah, was deeply entrenched, often intertwined with political alliances and social practices. The people frequently sought security in treaties with foreign nations ([Jeremiah 2:18](/jeremiah/2-18 "Jeremiah 2:18 - Trusting in Egypt and Assyria")) or in their own military strength, rather than relying on the covenant God. The concept of "lot" (gôwrâl) was culturally significant, often used to determine inheritance or divine will, emphasizing that Judah's grim future was a divinely apportioned destiny, not mere chance. Their "forgetfulness" was not amnesia but a deliberate turning away from the Mosaic covenant ([Deuteronomy 4:23](/deuteronomy/4-23 "Deuteronomy 4:23 - Do Not Forget the Covenant")) and its stipulations, which included exclusive loyalty to Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, asserting that the impending disaster is not random misfortune but a direct, divinely ordained outcome of Judah's choices. God, in His justice, assigns their destiny based on their spiritual state, emphasizing His sovereignty over history. Secondly, the theme of **Spiritual Apostasy and Forgetfulness** is central. The charge "because thou hast forgotten me" highlights a profound covenantal amnesia, a deliberate neglect and abandonment of their unique relationship with Yahweh. This forgetfulness manifested in a disregard for His laws, His warnings, and His very presence in their lives, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Warning Against Forgetting God"). Finally, the theme of **False Trust and Idolatry** is prominent. "Trusted in falsehood" refers primarily to Judah's reliance on idols, false gods, deceptive political alliances, or human wisdom rather than the one true God. These "falsehoods" offered empty promises and proved powerless to save them from the impending Babylonian invasion, echoing warnings against false prophets and deceptive practices throughout the book ([Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lot (Hebrew, _gôwrâl'_):** From an unused root meaning to be rough (as stone); properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot). This word emphasizes that Judah's future is a divinely assigned portion, a predetermined outcome directly from the LORD, reflecting the ancient practice of casting lots to determine fate or share.
* **forgotten (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** A primitive root; to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention; [idiom] at all, (cause to) forget. This signifies more than mere intellectual forgetfulness; it implies a deliberate cessation of care for, an abandonment of, or a disregard for a relationship, especially the covenantal one with God. It denotes a profound spiritual amnesia that results in a turning away from divine commands and presence.
* **falsehood (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** From shâqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial); without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. This term broadly encompasses lies, deceit, and particularly the emptiness and futility of idols, false gods, and deceptive human strategies, which are inherently powerless and misleading. It highlights the deceptive nature of anything chosen over the truth of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This [is] thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD;":** This opening clause is a direct, authoritative declaration from God. "Thy lot" and "the portion of thy measures" are parallel phrases, underscoring that Judah's impending fate is not random but a precise, divinely apportioned destiny. The phrase "from me, saith the LORD" emphasizes the divine origin and unchangeable nature of this judgment, asserting God's sovereignty and justice as the ultimate dispenser of consequences. It signifies that their future is a direct result of their own actions, measured out by God.
* **"because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.":** This second clause provides the explicit divine rationale for the declared judgment. The conjunction "because" establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship. "Thou hast forgotten me" points to Judah's profound spiritual amnesia and abandonment of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, characterized by a neglect of His commands and a disregard for His presence. This spiritual forgetfulness is compounded by "trusted in falsehood," which refers to their reliance on idols, deceptive political alliances, or any human construct that offered a false sense of security apart from God. These two actions—forgetting God and trusting in alternatives—are presented as the twin pillars of their apostasy, directly leading to their decreed "lot."

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Divine Declaration**, where the phrase "saith the LORD" ([Jeremiah 13:25](/jeremiah/13-25 "Jeremiah 13:25 - Saith the LORD")) functions as an authoritative pronouncement, lending absolute weight and inevitability to the judgment. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in the phrases "thy lot" and "the portion of thy measures," which are synonymous expressions reinforcing the idea of a divinely assigned destiny. This parallelism emphasizes the precision and intentionality of God's judgment. Furthermore, the verse functions as a concise **Cause and Effect** statement, clearly linking Judah's actions ("forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood") to their divinely ordained consequence ("This [is] thy lot"). The concept of "lot" itself can be seen as a **Metaphor** for destiny or an assigned portion, drawing on the cultural practice of casting lots to determine outcomes, thereby implying that Judah's future is a fixed, inescapable reality determined by God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:25 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of divine justice and the covenantal consequences of apostasy. It underscores that God is not an indifferent observer but an active participant in history, holding His people accountable for their faithfulness. The "lot" or portion Judah receives is a direct reflection of their spiritual state—a consequence of their deliberate turning away from the living God. This serves as a timeless theological warning: forgetting God and trusting in anything other than Him inevitably leads to spiritual barrenness and judgment. It highlights the absolute necessity of remembering God's covenant and placing exclusive trust in Him, for true security and blessing are found only in Him.

* [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Warning Against Forgetting God")
* [Psalm 16:5](/psalms/16-5 "Psalm 16:5 - The LORD is My Portion")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:25 stands as a sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine the foundations of our own trust and the depth of our remembrance of God. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, it is alarmingly easy to subtly "forget" the LORD—not through outright denial, but through neglect: neglecting His Word, prayer, fellowship, and the daily acknowledgment of His sovereignty. When we forget God, we inevitably begin to "trust in falsehood"—whether it be the deceptive promises of materialism, the fleeting security of human systems, the allure of self-sufficiency, or the empty narratives of cultural idols. This verse challenges us to recognize that our "lot" or destiny, both individually and corporately, is profoundly shaped by these choices. It calls for a radical reorientation, a conscious and consistent effort to remember God in all our ways, to cultivate a vibrant covenant relationship with Him, and to place our unwavering trust solely in His truth and faithfulness, thereby ensuring our portion is found in Him, not in the barrenness of falsehood.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle ways might I be "forgetting" the LORD in my daily life or neglecting my covenant relationship with Him?**
* **What "falsehoods" or deceptive sources of security do I tend to trust in more than God, whether consciously or unconsciously?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent remembrance of God and His Word to guard against spiritual amnesia?**
* **What practical steps can I take to shift my trust from worldly illusions to the unwavering truth of God?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that Judah "forgotten" God?**

Answer: When Jeremiah states that Judah "forgotten" God, it signifies much more than a simple lapse of memory. In biblical terms, "forgetting" God (Hebrew: *shâkach*) implies a deliberate abandonment of the covenant relationship, a disregard for His commands, and a turning away from His presence and authority. It's a profound spiritual amnesia that manifests in disobedience, idolatry, and a failure to acknowledge God's rightful place in their lives. This forgetfulness led them to cease caring for the covenant, effectively breaking their sacred bond with the LORD, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 8:11](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11 - Warning Against Forgetting God").

**What kind of "falsehood" did Judah trust in?**

Answer: The "falsehood" (Hebrew: *sheqer*) Judah trusted in refers broadly to anything that offered a deceptive alternative to the one true God. This primarily included idolatry—worshipping Baal, Asherah, and other foreign deities—which were inherently empty and powerless ([Jeremiah 2:11](/jeremiah/2-11 "Jeremiah 2:11 - Has a Nation Changed Its Gods?")). It also encompassed reliance on deceptive political alliances with nations like Egypt or Assyria, believing these human strategies would provide security instead of divine protection ([Jeremiah 2:36](/jeremiah/2-36 "Jeremiah 2:36 - Why Go About So Much?")). Furthermore, it could include trust in false prophets who spoke lies in the LORD's name ([Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies")) or a general reliance on human wisdom and strength rather than God's truth and power. All these were "falsehoods" because they offered empty promises and ultimately led to destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 13:25, with its stark declaration of judgment for forgetting God and trusting in falsehood, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity's "lot" due to sin was one of separation from God and spiritual death, a consequence of our collective forgetting of our Creator and our universal trust in the "falsehood" of sin and self-reliance. However, Jesus, the perfect Son, never forgot the Father and never trusted in falsehood. He perfectly embodied faithfulness and truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He came to bear the "lot" of humanity's judgment, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), so that through faith in Him, we might receive a new "lot"—an inheritance of eternal life and reconciliation with God ([Colossians 1:12](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12 - Sharing in the Inheritance of the Saints")). He is the ultimate truth who exposes all falsehood, and in Him, the new covenant is established, where God promises to put His law in our minds and write it on our hearts, so that we will "remember" Him and never again forget Him ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")). Thus, our "lot" is transformed from one of deserved judgment to one of undeserved grace and eternal communion, all because of Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice.

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

Job 20:29

This [is] the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

Psalms 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.

Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jeremiah 2:32

Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Deuteronomy 32:16

They provoked him to jealousy with strange [gods], with abominations provoked they him to anger.

Deuteronomy 32:18

Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.