TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 15:10–14. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Jeremiah has now returned from his public work and retired into his closet; what passed between him and his God there we have an account of in these and the following verses, which he published afterwards, to affect the people with the weight and importance of his messages to them. Here is,
I.The complaint which the prophet makes to God of the many discouragements he met with in his work, Jer 15:10.
1.He met with a great deal of contradiction and opposition. He was a man of strife and contention to the whole land (so it might be read, rather than to the whole earth, for his business lay only in that land); both city and country quarrelled with him, and set themselves against him, and said and did all they could to thwart him. He was a peaceable man, gave no provocation to any, nor was apt to resent the provocations given him, and yet a man of strife, not a man striving, but a man striven with; he was for peace, but, when he spoke, they were for war. And, whatever they pretended, that which was the real cause of their quarrels with him was his faithfulness to God and to their souls. He showed them their sins that were working their ruin, and put them into a way to prevent that ruin, which was the greatest kindness he could do them; and yet this was it for which they were incensed against him and looked upon him as their enemy. Even the prince of peace himself was thus a man of strife, a sign spoken against, continually enduring the contradiction of sinners against himself. And the gospel of peace brings division, even to fire and sword, Mat 10:34, Mat 10:35; Luk 12:49, Luk 12:51. Now this made Jeremiah very uneasy, even to a degree of impatience. He cried out, Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me, as if it were his mother's fault that she bore him, and he had better never have been born than be born to such an uncomfortable life; nay, he is angry that she had borne him a man of strife, as if he had been fatally determined to this by the stars that were in the ascendant at his birth. If he had any meaning of this kind, doubtless it was very much his infirmity; we rather hope it was intended for no more than a pathetic lamentation of his own case. Note,
(1.)Even those who are most quiet and peaceable, if they serve God faithfully, are often made men of strife. We can but follow peace; we have the making only of one side of the bargain, and therefore can but, as much as in us lies, live peaceably.
(2.)It is very uncomfortable to those who are of a peaceable disposition to live among those who are continually picking quarrels with them.
(3.)Yet, if we cannot live so peaceably as we desire with our neighbours, we must not be so disturbed at it as thereby to lose the repose of our own minds and put ourselves upon the fret.
2.He met with a great deal of contempt, contumely, and reproach. They every one of them cursed him; they branded him as a turbulent factious man, as an incendiary and a sower of discord and sedition. They ought to have blessed him, and to have blessed God for him; but they had arrived at such a pitch of enmity against God and his word that for his sake they cursed his messenger, spoke ill of him, wished ill to him, did all they could to make him odious. They all did so; he had scarcely one friend in Judah or Jerusalem that would give him a good word. Note, It is often the lot of the best of men to have the worst of characters ascribed to them. So persecuted they the prophets. But one would be apt to suspect that surely Jeremiah had given them some provocation, else he could not have lost himself thus: no, not the least: I have neither lent money nor borrowed money, have been neither creditor nor debtor; for so general is the signification of the words here. (1.) It is implied here that those who deal much in the business of this world are often involved thereby in strife and contention; meum et tuum - mine and thine are the great make-bates; lenders and borrowers sue and are sued, and great dealers often get a great deal of ill-will. (2.) it was an instance of Jeremiah's great prudence, and it is written for our learning, that, being called to be a prophet, he entangled not himself in the affairs of this life, but kept clear from them, that he might apply the more closely to the business of his profession and might not give the least shadow of suspicion that he aimed at secular advantages in it nor any occasion to his neighbours to contend with him. He put out no money, for he was no usurer, nor indeed had he any money to lend: he took up no money, for he was no purchaser, no merchant, no spendthrift. He was perfectly dead to this world and the things of it: a very little served to keep him, and we find (Jer 16:2) that he had neither wife nor children to keep. And yet, (3.) Though he behaved thus discreetly, and so as one would think should have gained him universal esteem, yet he lay under a general odium, through the iniquity of the times. Blessed be God, bad as things are with us, they are not so bad but that there are those with whom virtue has its praise; yet let not those who behave most prudently think it strange if they have not the respect and esteem they deserve. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
II.The answer which God gave to this complaint.
Though there was in it a mixture of passion and infirmity, yet God graciously took cognizance of it, because it was for his sake that the prophet suffered reproach. In this answer,
1.God assures him that he should weather the storm and be made easy at last, Jer 15:11. Though his neighbours quarrelled with him for what he did in the discharge of his office, yet God accepted him and promised to stand by him. It is in the original expressed in the form of an oath: "If I take not care of thee, let me never be counted faithful; verily it shall go well with thy remnant, with the remainder of thy life" (for so the word signifies); "the residue of thy days shall be more comfortable to thee than those hitherto have been." Thy end shall be good; so the Chaldee reads it. Note, It is a great and sufficient support to the people of God that, how troublesome soever their way may be, it shall be well with them in their latter end, Psa 37:37. They have still a remnant, a residue, something behind and left in reserve, which will be sufficient to counterbalance all their grievances, and the hope of it may serve to make them easy. It should seem that Jeremiah, besides the vexation that his people gave him, was uneasy at the apprehension he had of sharing largely in the public judgments which he foresaw coming; and, though he mentioned not this, God replied to his thought of it, as to Moses, Exo 4:19. Jeremiah thought, "If my friends are thus abusive to me, what will my enemies be?" And God had thought fit to awaken in him an expectation of this kind, Jer 12:5. But here he quiets his mind with this promise: "Verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil, when all about thee shall be laid waste." Note, God has all men's hearts in his hand, and can turn those to favour his servants whom they were most afraid of. And the prophets of the Lord have often met with fairer and better treatment among open enemies than among those that call themselves his people. When we see trouble coming, and it looks very threatening, let us not despair, but hope in God, because it may prove better than we expect. This promise was accomplished when Nebuchadnezzar, having taken the city, charged the captain of the guard to be kind to Jeremiah, and let him have every thing he had a mind to, Jer 39:11, Jer 39:12. The following words, Shall iron break the northern iron, and the steel, or brass? (Jer 15:12), being compared with the promise of God made to Jeremiah (Jer 1:18), that he would make him an iron pillar and brazen walls, seem intended for his comfort. They were continually clashing with him, and were rough and hard as iron; but Jeremiah, being armed with power and courage from on high, is as northern iron, which is naturally stronger, and as steel, which is hardened by art; and therefore they shall not prevail against him; compare this with Eze 2:6; Eze 3:8, Eze 3:9. He might the better bear their quarrelling with him when he was sure of the victory.
2.God assures him that his enemies and persecutors should be lost in the storm, should be ruined at last, and that therein the word of God in his mouth should be accomplished and he proved a true prophet, Jer 15:13, Jer 15:14. God here turns his speech from the prophet to the people. To them also Jer 15:12 may be applied: Shall iron break the northern iron, and the steel? Shall their courage and strength, and the most hardly and vigorous of their efforts, be able to contest either with the counsel of God or with the army of the Chaldeans, which are as inflexible, as invincible, as the northern iron and steel. Let them therefore hear their doom: Thy substance and thy treasure will I give to the spoil, and that without price; the spoilers shall have it gratis; it shall be to them a cheap and easy prey. Observe, The prophet was poor; he neither lent nor borrowed; he had nothing to lose, neither substance. nor treasure, and therefore the enemy will treat him well, Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator - The traveller that has no property about him will congratulate himself when accosted by a robber. But the people that had great estates in money and land would be slain for what they had, or the enemy, finding they had much, would use them hardly, to make them confess more. And it is their own iniquity that herein corrects them: It is for all thy sins, even in all thy borders. All parts of the country, even those which lay most remote, had contributed to the national guilt, and all shall now be brought to account. Let not one tribe lay the blame upon another, but each take shame to itself: It is for all thy sins in all thy borders. Thus shall they stay at home till they see their estates ruined, and then they shall be carried into captivity, to spend the sad remains of a miserable life in slavery: "I will make thee to pass with thy enemies, who shall lead thee in triumph into a land that thou knowest not, and therefore canst expect to find no comfort in it." All this is the fruit of God's wrath: "It is a fire kindled in my anger, which shall burn upon you, and, if not extinguished in time, will burn eternally."
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Vers. 12.) Will iron be bound to iron by the North Wind, and bronze? Symmachus, Will iron be harmed by iron by the North Wind, and bronze? LXX and Theodotion, If it recognizes iron and a copper covering? It is clear for the sake of variation: for the word 'Jare' () which is written in this place, depending on the ambiguity of the utterance, it can mean both friendship and malice, but if the letter 'Res' is read as 'Daleth' (which is similar to the letter 'Daleth'), it signifies knowledge and understanding. But what is said must be understood like this: Do not grieve that the people are your enemy; for if you bring them harsh news, those who are harsh cannot love you. Whether it be the Babylonians who come from the North, and are very hard, and resemble unyielding bronze, they will not be able to form a friendship with this more unyielding people. Whether it be that they are as hard as iron, that is, the people of Israel who are unworthy of the knowledge of God, who have reached such great wickedness that they are surrounded by the more unyielding metal of bronze.
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Summary
Jeremiah 15:12 presents a profound rhetorical question that starkly illustrates the futility of resisting an overwhelming, divinely ordained force. Through the vivid and contrasting imagery of "iron" attempting to break "northern iron and steel," the prophet conveys the insurmountable power of the impending Babylonian invasion, which serves as God's unyielding instrument of judgment against a persistently rebellious Judah. This verse encapsulates the absolute nature of divine decree and the utter inability of human strength or strategy to thwart God's sovereign purposes.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 15 is a deeply somber chapter, reflecting the prophet's profound anguish and God's unyielding declaration of judgment upon Judah. Following a divine decree of widespread devastation, famine, the sword, and exile in Jeremiah 15:2-3, and the explicit reason for this judgment being the persistent sins of King Manasseh and the nation in Jeremiah 15:4, Jeremiah expresses his deep personal suffering and lament in Jeremiah 15:10. God responds by reaffirming His protective presence with Jeremiah while simultaneously reiterating the certainty and severity of the judgment. Verse 12, therefore, serves as a powerful metaphorical illustration within this divine-prophetic dialogue, emphasizing the irresistible nature of the coming destruction that Judah will face, despite Jeremiah's intercession and personal distress. It solidifies the divine resolve that no human power can withstand the decreed judgment.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 15:12 is the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the Ancient Near East. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire had fallen, and two new powers, Egypt and Babylon, were fiercely vying for regional dominance. Judah, strategically located between these empires, often made ill-advised alliances or rebelled against the rising power of Babylon. The "northern iron" is a clear and potent reference to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was emerging as the preeminent force and would indeed approach Judah from the north. This region (Mesopotamia, including Babylon) was renowned for its metallurgical advancements, particularly in ironworking, suggesting a superior quality and strength of metal. The cultural understanding of iron as a symbol of strength, warfare, and unyielding power would have resonated deeply with Jeremiah's audience, making the metaphor of an inferior iron attempting to break a superior one profoundly impactful regarding Judah's absolute inability to resist the divinely empowered Babylonian army.
Key Themes
Jeremiah 15:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights Divine Sovereignty and Unwavering Judgment. God is not merely reacting to Judah's sin; He is actively orchestrating the judgment, using nations as His instruments, as seen in the imagery of the "boiling pot" from the north in Jeremiah 1:14. The "northern iron" symbolizes this irresistible divine instrument. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the Futility of Human Resistance against God's determined will. Judah's own strength, even if considerable, is depicted as common iron against hardened steel, utterly incapable of withstanding the superior force God is bringing. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic literature, reminding humanity of its subservience to the Creator's plans, as also seen in God's control over kingdoms and the changing of times in Daniel 2:21. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of Consequences of Rebellion, demonstrating that persistent sin inevitably leads to severe, inescapable divine retribution.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת (birzot), meaning "to cut." This word refers to iron as a metal, often associated with strength, implements, and weaponry. In Jeremiah 15:12, it is used twice: first, to denote common or inferior iron (Judah's strength), and second, to describe the superior "northern iron" (Babylon). The contrast highlights a significant disparity in strength and quality, emphasizing the futility of resistance.
A primitive root meaning "to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces)," or figuratively, "to make (or be) good for nothing." It conveys the idea of causing harm, damage, or destruction, often with a sense of rendering something useless or ineffective. Here, it refers to the act of shattering, overcoming, or rendering powerless, underscoring the impossibility of Judah's success against the divinely appointed force.
From צָפַן (tsaphan), meaning "hidden" or "dark." It refers to the north as a quarter, often associated with gloom, mystery, or, in prophetic contexts, the direction from which judgment or invaders would come. In this context, "northern" specifically points to Babylon, the formidable power located to the north of Judah, signifying its origin and the direction of the impending invasion.
Verse Breakdown
"Shall iron break"
This opening phrase immediately establishes the verse as a rhetorical question, setting up an impossible scenario. The initial "iron" represents Judah's own strength, military might, or any human attempt to resist the impending judgment. The implied answer to "shall it break" is a resounding "No," indicating the utter inadequacy of Judah's power against a superior force.
"the northern iron"
This refers to a superior quality of iron, specifically associated with the north. In the prophetic context, "northern iron" is a clear and powerful metaphor for the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Babylon was known for its military might and, potentially, for superior metallurgical techniques. This phrase emphasizes the formidable, unyielding nature of the divinely appointed instrument of judgment, highlighting its overwhelming strength compared to Judah's.
"and the steel?"
The Hebrew word here is nᵉchôsheth (H5178), which can mean "copper," "bronze," or "brass." However, in conjunction with "iron" and given the context of superior strength and durability, the KJV's translation "steel" (or a very hard, durable metal like hardened bronze) effectively conveys the intended meaning of an exceptionally strong and unbreakable material. This addition further amplifies the metaphor of the irresistible force, making the rhetorical question even more emphatic and underscoring the absolute hopelessness of Judah's resistance.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:12 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of inescapable judgment. Foremost is the Rhetorical Question, "Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?" This question is posed not to elicit an answer, but because the answer is implicitly and overwhelmingly obvious: "No." This device powerfully conveys the utter futility of Judah's resistance and the insurmountable nature of the threat. The verse also employs profound Metaphor, where "iron," "northern iron," and "steel" are not merely literal metals but symbolic representations. "Iron" symbolizes Judah's own strength or any human attempt to resist, while "northern iron and steel" symbolize the superior, divinely empowered force of Babylon. This metaphorical language makes the abstract concept of irresistible judgment tangible and impactful. Furthermore, there is an element of Hyperbole in the description of the "northern iron and steel" as utterly unbreakable by common iron. This exaggeration of strength serves to underscore the overwhelming nature of the threat and impress upon the audience the hopelessness of their situation without divine intervention or repentance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 15:12 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It illustrates that when God determines a course of action, particularly judgment for persistent sin, no human power, military might, or strategic ingenuity can thwart His will. The "northern iron" is not merely a powerful earthly empire but an instrument in the hand of the Almighty, demonstrating that even the most formidable earthly powers are ultimately subservient to divine purposes. This principle extends beyond national judgment to individual lives, reminding us that resistance to God's revealed will or His sovereign orchestrations is ultimately futile and self-defeating. Humility and submission to His plans, even when painful or seemingly harsh, are the only wise and ultimately beneficial responses.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 15:12 profoundly challenges our human tendency to rely on our own strength, resources, or strategic cunning when faced with overwhelming circumstances, especially those that may be divinely appointed. It calls us to a posture of profound humility and submission, recognizing that there are forces and decrees far greater than our own capacity to resist. When we find ourselves in situations that feel insurmountable, whether personal trials, societal challenges, or spiritual battles, this verse prompts us to discern if we are attempting to "break the northern iron" with our own "common iron." True wisdom lies not in futile resistance but in seeking God's will, repenting of any rebellion, and aligning ourselves with His purposes, rather than fighting against them. It encourages us to trust in His ultimate control, even when His methods are severe or His judgments seem harsh, knowing that His ways are always just, righteous, and ultimately for His glory and our good.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "northern iron" in this verse?
The "northern iron" is a powerful and specific metaphor for the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which was the dominant military power of Jeremiah's time and approached Judah from the north. The term "iron" itself signifies strength and durability, but the addition of "northern" and the contrast with common "iron" implies a superior, almost unbreakable quality of metal. This imagery emphasizes the overwhelming and irresistible might of Babylon, which God was raising up as His instrument of judgment against Judah. It highlights that Judah's own strength was utterly inadequate to resist this divinely empowered force, making any attempt at resistance futile and ensuring the certainty of God's decreed judgment.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Jeremiah 15:12 speaks of an earthly judgment executed through a formidable empire, its underlying principle of an irresistible, divinely appointed force finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive reversal in Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is depicted as "common iron" utterly incapable of breaking the "northern iron" of sin, death, and the law's righteous demands. No human effort, good works, or religious striving could ever overcome the overwhelming power of spiritual bondage or satisfy the righteous judgment of God. However, Christ, the true "stronger one" who binds the strong man (Luke 11:21-22), came not to be broken but to decisively break the power of sin and death. He is the ultimate "northern iron" of God's redemptive purpose, against whom the forces of evil and human rebellion are utterly powerless. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus decisively broke the chains of sin and disarmed the spiritual powers that held humanity captive (Colossians 2:15). Thus, what was a message of inescapable judgment for Judah becomes, in Christ, a message of inescapable grace and victory for those who believe, as He alone possessed the divine strength to accomplish what no human "iron" ever could. His triumph is the ultimate demonstration that God's purposes, whether in judgment or salvation, are utterly irresistible and perfectly fulfilled.