Jeremiah 15:13

Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.

Thy substance {H2428} and thy treasures {H214} will I give {H5414} to the spoil {H957} without price {H4242}, and that for all thy sins {H2403}, even in all thy borders {H1366}.

I will give away your wealth and your treasures as plunder, and you will not be paid for them, because of all your sins throughout your territory;

Your wealth and your treasures I will give up as plunder, without charge for all your sins within all your borders.

Thy substance and thy treasures will I give for a spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.

Jeremiah 15:13 (KJV) delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against the kingdom of Judah. It specifically details the economic devastation that would befall the nation due to its persistent unfaithfulness to God.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah served during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapters 14 and 15 record Jeremiah's fervent intercession on behalf of his people, met by God's unwavering resolve to bring judgment. This verse is part of a broader declaration of various calamities—sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity—that God would unleash. The immediate context shows God's rejection of Judah, even comparing them to a people He would cast away, highlighting the severity of their transgressions. This judgment was a direct consequence of their widespread idolatry and moral corruption, despite repeated warnings through His prophets.

Meaning of the Verse

In this verse, God declares that Judah's "substance and thy treasures" (their wealth, possessions, and accumulated riches) would be "given to the spoil." This means their valuable assets would be plundered and confiscated by an invading enemy, specifically the Babylonians. The phrase "without price" emphasizes the complete and unhindered nature of this taking; it implies that the enemy would seize their goods freely, without resistance or compensation, perhaps even suggesting the worthlessness of these earthly possessions in the face of divine wrath. The crucial phrase "for all thy sins" unequivocally states the reason for this catastrophic loss: it was a direct retribution for the cumulative and widespread sins of the nation, affecting "even in all thy borders," signifying a comprehensive national judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates God's righteous judgment against sin. It underscores that disobedience has severe, tangible consequences, particularly for a covenant people. This aligns with the biblical principle that the wages of sin is death, here manifesting as national ruin.
  • Economic Ruin as Judgment: God often used economic hardship and loss of possessions as a form of discipline or judgment in the Old Testament. This served as a direct consequence of Judah's turning away from the Lord, who was the source of their prosperity.
  • Widespread Devastation: The phrase "in all thy borders" highlights the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment, indicating that no part of the nation would escape the plunder and loss.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase translated "without price" (בְּלֹא מְחִיר - b'lo m'chir) is significant. M'chir typically means "price," "value," or "wages." Thus, "without price" can convey several nuances:

  • It might mean that the plunder would be taken without any payment or compensation to Judah, emphasizing their utter helplessness.
  • Alternatively, it could suggest that the enemy would take it effortlessly, without having to pay a cost (e.g., in battle or negotiation).
  • A deeper theological interpretation suggests that in God's eyes, Judah's immense sin made their material wealth utterly worthless, rendering it fit only for uncompensated seizure.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 15:13 serves as a timeless reminder of the serious consequences of persistent sin and disobedience to God. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the principle of divine justice remains. For believers, it highlights the importance of spiritual fidelity over material accumulation, reminding us that true security is found in God, not in earthly wealth. It encourages introspection, urging us to examine our lives for areas of unfaithfulness and to seek repentance, knowing that God is merciful but also just. The verse ultimately points to the unchanging character of God, who is both loving and righteous, and who calls His people to holiness.

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 17:3

    O my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance [and] all thy treasures to the spoil, [and] thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.

  • Psalms 44:12

    Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase [thy wealth] by their price.

  • Isaiah 52:3

    For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.

  • Jeremiah 20:5

    Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

  • Isaiah 52:5

    Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day [is] blasphemed.

  • Jeremiah 15:8

    Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

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