Jeremiah 15:2

KJV

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall come to pass, if they say {H559} unto thee, Whither shall we go forth {H3318}? then thou shalt tell {H559} them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Such as are for death {H4194}, to death {H4194}; and such as are for the sword {H2719}, to the sword {H2719}; and such as are for the famine {H7458}, to the famine {H7458}; and such as are for the captivity {H7628}, to the captivity {H7628}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And when they ask you where they should go, tell them that this is what ADONAI says: 'Those destined for death - to death! Those destined for the sword - to the sword! Those destined for famine - to famine! Those destined for captivity - to captivity!'

Berean Standard Bible

If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’

American Standard Version

And it shall come to pass, when they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith Jehovah: Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:2 presents a stark prophetic declaration from the LORD to the people of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah, revealing the inescapable judgments awaiting them due to their persistent and unrepentant rebellion. In response to their unspoken or implied question about where they might find refuge, God unequivocally pronounces a four-fold destiny of destruction: death, the sword, famine, and captivity. This verse powerfully underscores the divine resolve to execute the promised consequences of covenant disobedience, demonstrating God's unyielding justice and His absolute sovereignty over the nation's impending doom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15:2 immediately follows a pivotal moment in the book where Jeremiah's fervent intercession for Judah (as seen in [Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7 "Jeremiah's Prayer for Deliverance") and [Jeremiah 14:19-22](/jeremiah/14-19 "Jeremiah's Plea for Mercy")) is met with an unyielding divine refusal. In [Jeremiah 15:1](/jeremiah/15-1 "God's Unwavering Judgment"), the LORD declares that even the legendary intercessors Moses and Samuel could not sway His determined judgment against Judah. This verse, therefore, marks a grim and irreversible turning point in the narrative, signifying the finality of God's patience and the certainty of His impending wrath. It sets the stage for the escalating pronouncements of judgment that dominate the subsequent chapters of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah"), emphasizing that the divine decree against a stubbornly rebellious people is now absolute and without reprieve.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Jeremiah 15:2 is the turbulent late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of profound geopolitical instability for the Kingdom of Judah. For generations, the nation had systematically forsaken the covenant principles established at Sinai, engaging in widespread idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and deep spiritual apostasy, as extensively documented throughout the prophetic book. Despite numerous divine warnings delivered through prophets like Jeremiah, the people remained hardened in their unrepentance. Geographically, Judah found itself precariously positioned between the ascendant Neo-Babylonian Empire and the declining power of Egypt. The "sword" explicitly refers to the imminent military invasions by the Babylonians, which would inevitably lead to widespread "death" (from battle and disease), severe "famine" during prolonged sieges, and the ultimate "captivity" (exile) of any survivors. These calamities were direct fulfillments of the covenant curses detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") for disobedience. Culturally, the people had superficially maintained religious rituals while their hearts were far from Yahweh, leading to this severe and just divine reckoning.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several central themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, vividly illustrating the severe and unavoidable outcomes of persistent sin and unrepentance. God, in His righteous justice, decrees specific forms of calamity—death, sword, famine, and captivity—as a direct and proportional result of Judah's rebellion against His covenant. This highlights the **Sovereignty of God in Judgment**, portraying the LORD as the ultimate arbiter of destiny, who not only warns but also precisely determines the means of punishment. The people's rhetorical question, "Whither shall we go forth?", is met with an answer that offers no escape, underscoring the **Inevitability of Punishment** once God's decree is set due to prolonged and unyielding disobedience. This passage powerfully reinforces the **Covenant Faithfulness** of God, demonstrating that He upholds His word, even the solemn curses for breaking the covenant, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **say (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, a primitive root meaning "to say" with great latitude, encompassing various forms of speech, declaration, or command. In this context, it first describes the anticipated inquiry from the people of Judah to Jeremiah ("if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth?"), reflecting their desperate search for a way out or a place of refuge. Immediately thereafter, it describes the divine response ("then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD"), emphasizing the authoritative and definitive nature of God's pronouncement. The repetition underscores the direct communication between the people, the prophet, and God.
* **go forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** From H3318, a primitive root meaning "to go out" or "to bring out," used in a wide variety of literal and figurative applications. Here, it captures the people's bewildered and anxious question: "Where shall we go out to?" or "Where shall we escape to?" It conveys a sense of seeking an exit, a way of egress from their dire circumstances, or a place of safety. The divine answer negates any such possibility of escape, indicating that their "going forth" will not be to safety, but directly into various forms of destruction.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, referring to the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" authenticates the message as a direct, unadulterated divine oracle. It underscores that this is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or a human prediction, but the authoritative word of the covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign over life, death, and the destiny of nations. His decree is absolute, unchangeable, and will certainly come to pass.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth?":** This opening clause sets a hypothetical yet anticipated scenario, depicting the people of Judah's desperation and bewilderment. Facing an escalating crisis, they are implicitly or explicitly seeking guidance from Jeremiah, hoping for an escape route or a place of refuge. The question "Whither shall we go forth?" reveals their longing for a new beginning or a way out of their dire predicament, a hope for deliverance that God's subsequent response will utterly extinguish.
* **"then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD;":** This phrase immediately establishes the absolute divine authority and origin of Jeremiah's forthcoming message. It emphasizes that the answer is not the prophet's own counsel, but a direct, unvarnished oracle from Yahweh Himself. The solemn declaration "Thus saith the LORD" serves as an undeniable stamp of divine truth, leaving no room for human argument, negotiation, or appeal against the decreed fate.
* **"Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.":** This is the core of the divine pronouncement, a stark, comprehensive, and unyielding decree of judgment. The repetitive, parallel structure ("Such as are for X, to X") underscores the certainty, inevitability, and precise nature of each fate. It means that God has appointed specific categories of destruction for specific groups of people, or perhaps that all survivors will ultimately face one of these inescapable ends. There is no alternative destination; their "going forth" will be directly into one of these four calamities: pestilence/disease (death), military conquest (sword), starvation (famine), and forced exile (captivity). This comprehensive list covers the full spectrum of suffering that would befall Judah, leaving no means of escape.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:2 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its grim and unyielding message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically manifested as **Anaphora** in the recurring phrase "Such as [are] for..." followed by the specific judgment. This insistent repetition of "death, to death; sword, to sword; famine, to famine; captivity, to captivity" creates a powerful rhetorical rhythm, hammering home the certainty and comprehensive nature of the divine decree. This also functions as a form of **Parallelism**, where each clause mirrors the structure of the others, reinforcing the interconnectedness and inevitability of these various forms of judgment. The verse also features a **Rhetorical Question** ("Whither shall we go forth?"), which is immediately answered by the divine oracle, highlighting the futility of seeking an escape from God's determined judgment. Finally, the stark, unadorned language and direct pronouncements contribute to the solemn and authoritative **Prophetic Oracle** style, conveying the absolute will and unyielding authority of the LORD.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:2 stands as a profound theological statement on the severe consequences of persistent, unrepentant sin and the unwavering justice of God. It reveals that divine patience has limits, and prolonged rebellion against a holy God inevitably leads to severe judgment. This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His authority not only to warn but also to precisely execute judgment through various divinely appointed means. The four categories of destruction—death, sword, famine, and captivity—are not random occurrences but divinely ordained consequences, illustrating that God is actively involved in the history of His people, upholding His covenant, both in blessing and in curse. This serves as a solemn reminder that God's character encompasses both boundless mercy and righteous wrath, and His justice will ultimately prevail, bringing about His perfect will even through calamity.

* [Leviticus 26:25](/leviticus/26-25 "Leviticus 26:25 - God's Judgment on Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Ezekiel 14:21](/ezekiel/14-21 "Ezekiel 14:21 - God's Four Severe Judgments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 15:2 serves as a sobering reminder that choices have profound consequences, and persistent rebellion against God's revealed will ultimately leads to inevitable judgment. While believers now live under the New Covenant, where Christ has fully borne the ultimate judgment for sin, the spiritual principles of sowing and reaping remain eternally true. This passage calls us to a profound humility and a sober assessment of our own lives and the spiritual state of our communities. It challenges us to consider whether we are truly heeding God's warnings and pursuing genuine repentance, or if we are presuming upon His grace and delaying obedience. For the believer, it underscores the immense seriousness of sin and the immeasurable cost of our redemption, prompting a deeper appreciation for the grace that has delivered us from such a dire fate. It also reminds us that God is just and righteous, even when His judgments seem severe, and that His ultimate purpose is always to bring about His perfect will, often through a process of purification and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's gentle warnings, potentially inviting more severe spiritual consequences?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous judgment in Jeremiah 15:2 deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy and grace shown in Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to cultivate a heart of immediate repentance and humble obedience when confronted with God's truth?**

### FAQ
**What does "Such as are for death, to death" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase, repeated for death, sword, famine, and captivity, signifies a divine appointment or designation. It means that God has specifically determined the fate for different segments of the people of Judah, or that all will inevitably face one of these ends. Those appointed "for death" will indeed experience death, whether through pestilence, disease, or other non-military causes. It underscores the certainty and inevitability of the judgment, indicating that there is no escaping the particular form of destruction God has ordained for them. It's a declaration of inescapable destiny for a nation that has persistently rebelled against its covenant God, as seen in [Jeremiah 15:2](/jeremiah/15-2 "Jeremiah 15:2 - The Fourfold Judgment").

**Why did God allow such severe judgments to come upon His people?**

Answer: God allowed these severe judgments not out of arbitrary cruelty, but as a just and necessary consequence for Judah's prolonged and unrepentant rebellion against His covenant. Throughout centuries, God had patiently warned them through prophets, demonstrating His desire for their repentance and restoration (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23-26 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Call to Obedience and Rejection")). However, Judah consistently rejected His commands, pursued widespread idolatry, and engaged in pervasive social injustice. The calamities described in [Jeremiah 15:2](/jeremiah/15-2 "Jeremiah 15:2 - The Fourfold Judgment") were the direct fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Consequences of Disobedience")). These judgments were intended to purify a remnant and ultimately bring them back to Him, demonstrating that God is holy and righteous and cannot tolerate unbridled sin indefinitely.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 15:2 paints a bleak picture of inescapable judgment for a rebellious nation, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound contrast and ultimate deliverance offered through Jesus Christ. The four-fold judgment of death, sword, famine, and captivity represents the comprehensive nature of sin's consequences and the brokenness of a world under the curse. Yet, in Christ, we find the one who perfectly absorbed the full measure of God's righteous wrath, enduring the ultimate "death" on the cross, not for His own sin, but for ours (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the "sword" of divine judgment that hung over humanity (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). For those who believe, He delivers us from spiritual "famine," offering Himself as the Bread of Life (e.g., [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), satisfying our deepest spiritual hunger. Moreover, through His redemptive work, He frees us from the "captivity" of sin and death, bringing us into the glorious freedom of the children of God (e.g., [Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Freedom from Bondage")). Thus, what was an inescapable doom for Judah under the Old Covenant becomes a profound testament to the liberating and life-giving power of Christ's sacrifice, offering an escape from eternal judgment and a path to abundant life for all who turn to Him (e.g., [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

Jeremiah 43:11

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.

Zechariah 11:9

Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.

Ezekiel 5:2

Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are fulfilled: and thou shalt take a third part, [and] smite about it with a knife: and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind; and I will draw out a sword after them.

Revelation 6:3

¶ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

Revelation 6:8

And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 13:10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Jeremiah 14:12

When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.