Jeremiah 15:14

KJV

And I will make [thee] to pass with thine enemies into a land [which] thou knowest not: for a fire is kindled in mine anger, [which] shall burn upon you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will make thee to pass {H5674} with thine enemies {H341} into a land {H776} which thou knowest {H3045} not: for a fire {H784} is kindled {H6919} in mine anger {H639}, which shall burn {H3344} upon you.

Complete Jewish Bible

and I will make you pass together with your enemies into a land you do not know. For my anger has become a blazing fire, and it will flare up against you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for My anger will kindle a fire that will burn against you.”

American Standard Version

And I will make them to pass with thine enemies into a land which thou knowest not; for a fire is kindled in mine anger, which shall burn upon you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:14 delivers a profound prophetic declaration of God's unyielding judgment against Judah, revealing His sovereign resolve to send His people into an unavoidable exile. This verse emphasizes the forced relocation of Judah, alongside their adversaries, to an unfamiliar land, driven by the intense, consuming fire of divine anger. It underscores the inescapable consequences of persistent disobedience and idolatry, serving as a powerful testament to God's holiness, His commitment to justice, and His ultimate sovereignty over the destinies of nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15:14 is situated within a series of lamentations and pronouncements of judgment from the prophet Jeremiah, forming a crucial part of God's definitive statements regarding Judah's fate. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 15:1-9) detail God's firm decision to bring destruction upon Judah, explicitly rejecting any intercession, even from revered figures like Moses or Samuel, signifying the irreversible nature of the judgment. The severity of this impending divine action is highlighted by the fourfold destruction (sword, famine, captivity, death) and the scattering of the people. Jeremiah 15:10-13 then shifts to Jeremiah's personal anguish and lament over his difficult prophetic calling and the rejection he faces, followed by God's reaffirmation of His protective presence with the prophet. Verse 14, therefore, serves as a direct, unmitigated statement of the judgment itself, reinforcing the inevitability of exile previously alluded to in passages like [Jeremiah 13:19](/jeremiah/13-19 "Jeremiah 13:19 - Judah's Cities Shut Up") and [Jeremiah 15:2](/jeremiah/15-2 "Jeremiah 15:2 - The Fourfold Judgment"). It is a definitive declaration of the means and nature of the punishment, leaving no doubt about its certainty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah 15:14 was delivered during a turbulent and precarious period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th century BCE, as the mighty Babylonian Empire was rapidly rising to prominence and threatening regional stability. Judah had a long and tragic history of covenant unfaithfulness, oscillating between fleeting periods of revival and profound idolatry. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the nation had largely turned away from Yahweh, adopting foreign gods and engaging in widespread social injustice, particularly against the vulnerable. The "land which thou knowest not" directly refers to Babylon, the formidable foreign power that would soon conquer Judah and deport its inhabitants. Exile was a common and brutal form of punishment and control in the ancient Near East, meticulously designed to break the identity and spirit of conquered peoples by severing their ties to their ancestral land, their sacred temple, and their cultural heritage. For ancient Israel, the land was intrinsically linked to their covenant identity and their relationship with God, making exile the ultimate curse for covenant disobedience, as vividly forewarned in [Deuteronomy 28:36](/deuteronomy/28-36 "Deuteronomy 28:36 - Prophecy of Exile and Servitude").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, demonstrating with stark clarity that God's patience has limits and that persistent, unrepentant sin inevitably leads to severe consequences. The "fire" of His anger signifies the intensity, consuming nature, and purifying power of His righteous wrath. Secondly, the verse highlights **Exile and Dispossession**, a central and tragic theme in Jeremiah, as the primary form of God's judgment against Judah. This forced removal from the promised land represents a profound reversal of the covenant blessings and a devastating loss of national identity and security. Thirdly, it reinforces **God's Sovereignty and Unwavering Purpose**. Despite Judah's stubborn resistance and Jeremiah's personal suffering, God's decree remains firm and unalterable ("I will make thee to pass"), revealing His absolute control over historical events and His unwavering commitment to upholding His justice, even through devastating means. This divine resolve is a testament to His holy character, as seen in passages like [Amos 3:2](/amos/3-2 "Amos 3:2 - God's Judgment on Israel for Covenant Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pass (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This verb (H5674) signifies a forceful transition, a crossing over, or being carried away. In this context, it emphasizes the divine agency ("I will make thee to pass"), indicating that Judah's exile is not a random misfortune or a mere political outcome, but a divinely ordained and unavoidable movement. It conveys the idea of being swept across or transported, highlighting the complete lack of control the people will have over their destiny once God's judgment is enacted.
* **Anger (Hebrew, _ʼaph'_):** The term (H639) literally refers to the nose or nostrils, and by extension, to the rapid breathing or snorting associated with intense fury and indignation. This vivid **anthropomorphism** portrays God's deep, passionate displeasure and righteous indignation. It is not a fleeting emotion but a profound, settled wrath against the persistent rebellion and idolatry of His people, indicating a just and holy response to their egregious sin.
* **Kindled (Hebrew, _qâdach'_):** This primitive root (H6919) means to inflame or to kindle. Here, it describes the active initiation of God's wrath, likening it to a fire that has been deliberately ignited. The use of "kindled" emphasizes that God's anger is not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate and righteous response that has reached its boiling point due to Judah's prolonged unfaithfulness, leading to an inevitable conflagration of judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will make [thee] to pass with thine enemies into a land [which] thou knowest not:":** This clause declares the specific nature of the impending judgment: a forced and humiliating exile. The divine "I will make" highlights God's active, sovereign role and unyielding decree in orchestrating this event, demonstrating His absolute control over history. The phrase "with thine enemies" indicates that Judah will be subjected to the humiliation, oppression, and possibly even enslavement by their adversaries, sharing their fate in a foreign land. The "land which thou knowest not" emphasizes the profound disorientation, loss of identity, and deep insecurity that accompanies being uprooted from one's ancestral home, familiar cultural context, and the promised land, a stark contrast to the security of the covenant.
* **"for a fire is kindled in mine anger,":** This clause provides the divine rationale and the intense nature of the judgment. The "fire" is a powerful and terrifying metaphor for God's intense, righteous, and consuming wrath, which has been "kindled" or ignited by Judah's persistent and unrepentant sin. This imagery conveys the destructive, purifying, and all-consuming nature of divine judgment, indicating that God's response is not arbitrary but a just and holy outpouring of His character against unrepentant rebellion.
* **"[which] shall burn upon you.":** This final clause specifies the direct target and inescapable effect of God's fiery anger: it "shall burn upon you," meaning the people of Judah. This emphasizes the personal, direct, and inescapable nature of the judgment. The fire is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, devastating force that will directly impact and consume them, bringing about the prophesied destruction, suffering, and the ultimate reality of exile.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:14 is exceptionally rich in **Imagery**, particularly the vivid and potent portrayal of God's anger as a **fire**. This central **Metaphor** (Hebrew: *esh*) is a common biblical motif, often representing God's holiness, purifying presence, or, as powerfully depicted here, His consuming wrath. The fire is not just a symbol; it conveys the intensity, destructive power, and all-encompassing nature of divine judgment. The phrase "I will make thee to pass" demonstrates profound **Divine Agency** and **Sovereignty**, emphasizing that the impending exile is not an accident of history or a mere consequence of geopolitical shifts, but a direct, intentional, and predetermined act of God. The mention of an "unknown land" creates a powerful sense of **Foreshadowing** and **Pathos**, evoking the deep fear, disorientation, and profound loss associated with forced displacement. The entire verse functions as a potent **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct and unyielding declaration from God through His prophet, leaving no doubt about the certainty and severity of the coming judgment. The use of **Anthropomorphism** ("mine anger") makes God's emotional response relatable and underscores the personal offense caused by Judah's sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:14 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's unwavering justice and the severe, unavoidable consequences of covenant infidelity. It reveals that while God is infinitely merciful and long-suffering, His holiness demands a righteous response to persistent sin. The "fire" of His anger is not capricious or irrational but a just and holy outpouring against a people who have repeatedly rejected His commands, pursued idolatry, and engaged in systemic injustice. This judgment, though devastating in its historical manifestation, serves ultimately to uphold God's character and His covenant promises, even if it means severe discipline and purification for His people. It highlights the profound principle that genuine repentance is necessary to avert divine wrath, and without it, even the most cherished blessings, such as the promised land and national security, can be irrevocably forfeited.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Prophecy of Foreign Invasion and Exile")
* [Lamentations 2:3-4](/lamentations/2-3-4 "God's Fiery Anger in Judgment")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Our God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 15:14 serves as a sobering and urgent reminder that God is not to be trifled with; His holiness and justice are as fundamental to His character as His boundless love and mercy. For us today, this verse calls for a deep and honest introspection into our own lives, our families, and our communities. Are we truly taking God's commands seriously, or are we, like ancient Judah, drifting into complacency, embracing subtle forms of idolatry, or compromising moral integrity for convenience? The "fire" of God's anger, while terrifying in its implications, is ultimately a testament to His absolute purity and His unwavering demand for righteousness from His covenant people. It compels us to consider the profound gravity of sin and the ultimate, inevitable consequences of unrepentant rebellion against a holy God. This passage should cultivate within us a healthy, reverential fear of the Lord—not a paralyzing dread, but a profound awe that inspires deep obedience, sincere humility, and a fervent desire to live in alignment with His revealed will. It urges us to heed the warnings embedded within Scripture and to actively pursue repentance, reconciliation, and faithful living, recognizing that while His judgments are severe, they are always just and ultimately serve His overarching redemptive purposes for His people and His creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be taking God's grace for granted, and potentially inviting His righteous displeasure or discipline?**
* **How does the vivid imagery of God's "fire" and "anger" in this verse shape my understanding of His multifaceted character, and how does this balance with a focus solely on His love?**
* **What are the "unknown lands" or difficult, disorienting consequences in my life that might be a direct or indirect result of unaddressed sin, disobedience, or spiritual apathy?**
* **How can this passage motivate me to a deeper, more consistent commitment to repentance, genuine humility, and walking in courageous obedience to God's commands?**

### FAQ
**Was Judah's exile truly unavoidable, or could they have repented and averted this judgment?**

Answer: While God's judgment is often conditional on human response throughout the prophetic literature, by the time of Jeremiah 15:14, the cumulative sin of Judah had reached a critical threshold where the national judgment, specifically the exile, was declared unavoidable. God explicitly states in [Jeremiah 15:1](/jeremiah/15-1 "God's Refusal to Relent") that even if Moses and Samuel, two of Israel's greatest intercessors, stood before Him, His heart would not turn toward the people to avert the disaster. This indicates that the nation's persistent idolatry, covenant breaking, and unrepentance had crossed a point of no return, making the prophesied exile a settled divine decree. While individual repentance was still possible and could bring personal favor or preservation, the national judgment of exile was set. The "unknown land" of Babylon was a direct, inevitable consequence of generations of turning away from God, fulfilling the dire warnings of the covenant found extensively in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 15:14, with its stark declaration of divine judgment and consuming fire, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "fire... kindled in mine anger" that was destined to "burn upon" unrepentant Judah points forward to the ultimate outpouring of God's righteous wrath against sin. Yet, in the New Covenant, this wrath was not poured out on humanity, but upon God's own Son. On the cross, Jesus became the perfect substitute, bearing the full, unmitigated weight of the divine anger that our sins justly deserved. The "fire" of God's judgment, which threatened to consume humanity in its rebellion, instead consumed Christ, as powerfully foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Christ's Suffering for Our Sins") and [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"). Furthermore, the "passing into a land which thou knowest not" due to enmity with God is spiritually overcome in Christ. Humanity, alienated from God by sin, was in a spiritual "unknown land" of separation, death, and hopelessness. However, through Christ's atoning sacrifice, we are reconciled to God, brought into a new covenant relationship, and given access to the "heavenly country" (as described in [Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "The Heavenly Country") and [Philippians 3:20](/ philippians/3-20 "Our Citizenship in Heaven")). The "enemies" that accompanied Judah into exile—sin, death, and the powers of darkness—are decisively defeated by Christ, who triumphed over principalities and powers on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Thus, the terrifying judgment of Jeremiah 15:14, while a historical reality for Judah, ultimately foreshadows the perfect and complete redemption offered in Christ, where the righteous judgment of God is fully satisfied, and all who believe are delivered from the consuming fire of wrath into the eternal embrace of His glorious love and grace ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Delivered from Wrath Through Christ")).

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 32:22

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

Jeremiah 16:13

Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, [neither] ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.

Deuteronomy 28:36

The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

Jeremiah 17:4

And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, [which] shall burn for ever.

Psalms 21:9

Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

Deuteronomy 28:64

And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, [even] wood and stone.

Amos 5:27

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name [is] The God of hosts.