Jeremiah 15:4

KJV

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will cause {H5414} them to be removed {H2189}{H2113} into all kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776}, because {H1558} of Manasseh {H4519} the son {H1121} of Hezekiah {H3169} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, for that which he did {H6213} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of M'nasheh the son of Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah, because of what he did in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

And I will cause them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:4 presents a solemn divine decree, announcing God's resolute judgment against the kingdom of Judah. This pronouncement details their impending, comprehensive scattering and forceful removal into all nations, explicitly attributing this severe consequence to the profound and pervasive wickedness of King Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, and the abominable acts he perpetrated in Jerusalem. The verse profoundly underscores the long-lasting, devastating ripple effects of unrepentant sin, particularly from leadership, on an entire nation, highlighting the cumulative nature of corporate apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15 marks a critical juncture in the prophet's ministry and God's interaction with Judah, following a series of increasingly severe prophetic pronouncements and laments. Chapters 14-15 vividly portray Jeremiah's deepening despair and God's unyielding resolve for judgment. Despite Jeremiah's persistent intercession on behalf of the people, as seen in his heartfelt pleas in [Jeremiah 14:7-9](/jeremiah/14-7 "Jeremiah's Plea for Judah") and his continued supplication in [Jeremiah 14:19-22](/jeremiah/14-19 "Jeremiah's Continued Intercession"), God unequivocally declares His refusal to relent or show compassion, signaling an irreversible judgment. [Jeremiah 15:1-3](/jeremiah/15-1 "God's Unwavering Judgment and Instruments of Judgment") outlines the four instruments of divine judgment—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—that will devastate Judah. Verse 4 then provides the specific historical and theological justification for this severe and comprehensive punishment, directly linking it to the egregious sins of a past king, thereby emphasizing the cumulative and intergenerational nature of Judah's apostasy that had reached a tipping point.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, a period spanning from the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC) through the reigns of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, culminating in the catastrophic Babylonian exile (586 BC). While King Josiah initiated a significant, albeit temporary, religious revival, the spiritual corruption deeply embedded by his grandfather, King Manasseh (reigned 697-642 BC), proved to be indelible. Manasseh's astonishing 55-year reign was characterized by an unprecedented return to pagan idolatry, including child sacrifice, widespread divination, and the shedding of much innocent blood, as extensively documented in [2 Kings 21:1-18](/2_kings/21 "Manasseh's Wicked Reign") and [2 Chronicles 33:1-20](/2_chronicles/33 "Manasseh's Abominations and Repentance"). Although [2 Chronicles 33:10-17](/2_chronicles/33-10-17 "Manasseh's Repentance and Restoration") records Manasseh's personal repentance late in his life, the profound and widespread spiritual damage he inflicted on the nation set Judah on an irreversible trajectory toward divine judgment, fulfilling the dire curses outlined in the [Mosaic Covenant](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to upholding His covenant and bringing judgment upon persistent, egregious sin, particularly when it involves widespread apostasy and the shedding of innocent blood. Secondly, it underscores the **Intergenerational Impact of Sin**, illustrating how the corrupting influence of a leader's actions can have profound and devastating consequences that affect future generations, even if individuals within those generations might attempt reform. This is evident in the lingering effects of Manasseh's reign, which even Josiah's reforms could not fully reverse (cf. [2 Kings 23:26-27](/2_kings/23-26-27 "God's Unwavering Judgment on Judah")). Thirdly, the phrase "I will cause them to be removed" emphasizes **God's Sovereignty** over historical events and the destinies of nations, affirming that He is the ultimate orchestrator of judgment, executing His righteous will despite human rebellion. Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Irreversible Judgment**, signaling that Judah's spiritual decline had reached a critical point where divine patience had been exhausted, and the decreed punishment would inevitably come to pass, as reiterated in [Jeremiah 15:6](/jeremiah/15-6 "God's Weariness of Relenting").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **removed (Hebrew, _zᵉvâʻâh_ / _zaʻăvâh'_):** This word (H2113 / H2189), derived from a root meaning "agitation" or "fear," conveys a sense of being an object of dread, vexation, or maltreatment. Thus, "removed" implies not merely a simple relocation but a violent, unsettling expulsion that would cause the exiles to be seen with aversion or trouble by the nations among whom they were scattered. It suggests a state of being abhorred and cast out, reflecting the severity and contempt inherent in God's judgment.
* **because (Hebrew, _gâlâl'_):** This term (H1558) is used adverbially and means "on account of" or "for the sake of." Its presence here is crucial, as it explicitly establishes a direct causal link between Manasseh's actions and the impending national catastrophe. It underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just and proportionate response to specific, accumulated wickedness that had permeated the nation.
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) is broad in its application, meaning "to do or make" in the widest sense. In this context, it refers to Manasseh's comprehensive actions, encompassing his rebuilding of high places, erection of altars to Baal, worship of celestial bodies, child sacrifice, sorcery, and the systematic shedding of innocent blood, as meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 21:2-9](/2_kings/21-2-9 "Manasseh's Abominable Practices"). The use of this general term highlights the pervasive and comprehensive nature of his wickedness, which permeated every aspect of his reign and deeply corrupted the nation's spiritual and moral fabric.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth":** This clause declares God's active and sovereign role in the impending judgment. The phrase "I will cause them" (using the verb H5414, _nâthan_, "to give, put, make") emphasizes divine agency and absolute control over historical events. The "removal" (H2189/H2113, _zaʻăvâh_ / _zᵉvâʻâh_) signifies a violent, abhorrent expulsion, not merely a voluntary migration, implying a state of being detested and cast out. The destination, "all kingdoms of the earth," underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of this dispersion, indicating a widespread and thorough scattering of the Judahites among foreign nations, fulfilling the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28:25](/deuteronomy/28-25 "Deuteronomy 28:25 - Scattering Among Nations").
* **"because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah":** This segment provides the explicit reason and historical justification for the severe judgment. "Because of" (H1558, _gâlâl_) directly links the current generation's suffering to the actions of a specific past king, Manasseh (H4519), the son (H1121, _bên_) of the otherwise righteous King Hezekiah (H3169). This highlights the profound and lasting impact of leadership, particularly when it leads a nation into deep and prolonged apostasy. Manasseh's exceptionally long and wicked reign had such a corrupting influence that its effects persisted for decades, sealing the nation's fate despite later attempts at reform.
* **"for that which he did in Jerusalem":** This final clause specifies the precise location and nature of Manasseh's egregious sins. "That which he did" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) refers to the abominable idolatry, child sacrifice, and innocent bloodshed that Manasseh perpetrated, transforming Jerusalem (H3389), the holy city and seat of God's temple, into a center of pagan worship and moral depravity. This desecration of the very heart of Judah's spiritual life, the place where God had chosen to put His name, was an ultimate offense against divine holiness, making the judgment upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants inevitable and just.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment with dramatic force. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat/Pronouncement**, where God directly declares His intention ("I will cause them to be removed"), emphasizing His absolute authority and the certainty of the coming judgment. This is reinforced by a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship, explicitly linking the nation's suffering to Manasseh's past actions ("because of Manasseh... for that which he did"), thereby establishing the justice and rationale behind the impending doom. The phrase "into all kingdoms of the earth" serves as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, underscoring the widespread, comprehensive, and inescapable nature of the impending exile, conveying a sense of total dispersion rather than a literal scattering to every single nation on the planet. Finally, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, pointing prophetically to the historical reality of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent broader dispersion of the Jewish people across the globe, a reality that would tragically unfold in the years following Jeremiah's prophecy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:4 profoundly illustrates the interconnectedness of sin, judgment, and divine justice within the biblical narrative. It reveals that God's holiness and righteousness demand a response to sustained and egregious sin, especially when it involves the perversion of true worship, the shedding of innocent blood, and the systemic corruption of a nation. While God is patient and merciful, there comes a point when His forbearance reaches its limit, and judgment becomes an unavoidable consequence of persistent rebellion. This verse challenges simplistic notions of individual responsibility by demonstrating how the corporate sin of a nation, particularly influenced by its leadership, can accumulate and lead to national catastrophe. It underscores that the consequences of sin are not always immediate but can have long-term, intergenerational ramifications, highlighting the immense gravity of moral and spiritual choices made by those in authority and the collective responsibility of a people who perpetuate such wickedness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Scattering Among Nations")
* [2 Kings 24:3-4](/2_kings/24-3-4 "2 Kings 24:3-4 - Manasseh's Sins Leading to Exile")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah in Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 15:4 serves as a sobering and timeless reminder of the profound and far-reaching consequences of sin, not only for individuals but for communities and nations. It compels us to recognize the immense responsibility that comes with leadership, whether in a family, church, or society, as the choices made by those in authority can profoundly shape the spiritual and moral trajectory of those under their influence. This passage calls us to a deep introspection: are we, individually and corporately, allowing patterns of sin to fester, or are we actively pursuing righteousness and repentance? It reminds us that God's justice is unwavering, and while His mercy is vast, it does not negate the reality of consequences for unrepentant rebellion. For believers today, this verse should inspire a fervent commitment to personal holiness, a diligent pursuit of justice and righteousness in our spheres of influence, and a humble recognition that our actions have ripple effects that extend beyond ourselves. It urges us to pray for and support righteous leadership, and to be vigilant against the insidious creep of idolatry, moral decay, and the shedding of innocent blood in our own lives and communities, remembering that God sees and will ultimately judge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do the actions of leaders today, both secular and spiritual, impact the moral and spiritual health of our communities or nations?**
* **In what ways might the "sins of the fathers" (or past generations) still be impacting society or even our personal lives today, and how can we respond redemptively as followers of Christ?**
* **What specific "abominations" in our contemporary culture might be provoking God's displeasure, and how are we called to stand against them with prophetic courage and compassionate action?**
* **How does understanding God's unwavering justice, as revealed in this verse, deepen your appreciation for His boundless mercy and grace found in Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why was Manasseh's sin singled out as the cause for Judah's exile, even decades after his death?**

Answer: Manasseh's reign (697-642 BC) was exceptionally long (55 years) and marked by an unprecedented level of apostasy, as meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 21](/2_kings/21 "2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's Wicked Reign"). He systematically undid the reforms of his righteous father, Hezekiah, by rebuilding pagan altars, introducing child sacrifice, practicing divination, and shedding much innocent blood in Jerusalem. While [2 Chronicles 33](/2_chronicles/33 "2 Chronicles 33 - Manasseh's Reign and Repentance") records his personal repentance later in life, the spiritual corruption he embedded in the national fabric was so deep and pervasive that it became irreversible. His actions effectively sealed Judah's fate, creating a spiritual climate that subsequent, more righteous kings like Josiah could not fully eradicate. God's judgment was not simply for the sins of the current generation, but for the cumulative wickedness that had reached a tipping point, largely initiated and solidified by Manasseh's profound apostasy. The people of Jeremiah's day were suffering the consequences of a national trajectory set by Manasseh, which they themselves continued to follow.

**Does Jeremiah 15:4 imply that God punishes later generations for the sins of their ancestors, contradicting the idea of individual responsibility?**

Answer: This verse does not contradict the principle of individual responsibility, as articulated in passages like [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - The Soul Who Sins Shall Die"), which states that "the soul who sins shall die." Instead, it highlights the corporate and generational consequences of sin, particularly when leadership leads a nation into systemic idolatry and rebellion. While individuals are held accountable for their own choices, the actions of previous generations, especially those in positions of authority, can create a spiritual and moral environment that makes it incredibly difficult for subsequent generations to choose righteousness. Manasseh's sins were not merely personal but national, deeply corrupting the religious and social structures of Judah. The people of Jeremiah's day were suffering not just for Manasseh's past sins, but because they largely continued in the patterns of apostasy he established, demonstrating their own lack of repentance. Thus, it's a consequence of both inherited spiritual decay and continued personal rebellion that led to the nation's downfall.

**What does "removed into all kingdoms of the earth" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "removed into all kingdoms of the earth" signifies a comprehensive and inescapable scattering of the people of Judah as a direct act of divine judgment. It refers primarily to the impending Babylonian exile (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")), where a significant portion of the population would be forcibly deported from their homeland. Beyond this initial exile, it also foreshadows the broader dispersion of the Jewish people throughout history, fulfilling the curses of the [Mosaic Covenant](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Scattering Among Nations"). This "removal" is not a gentle relocation but a violent, unsettling expulsion, implying that they would become objects of vexation and trouble among the nations, losing their national identity and security as a consequence of their persistent rebellion against God. It emphasizes the totality of the judgment and the loss of their promised land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 15:4, with its stark declaration of judgment and the irreversible consequences of sin, points profoundly to the necessity of Christ. The verse reveals humanity's desperate need for a solution to the problem of sin—both individual and corporate—that goes beyond human repentance or reform. The cumulative weight of Manasseh's sin, leading to national exile, highlights the utter inability of the old covenant system to fully cleanse and sustain a righteous people. It demonstrates that the law, though holy and just, could not impart life or fully address the deep-seated corruption of the human heart (cf. [Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - The Law Weakened by the Flesh")). The judgment pronounced upon Judah underscores the severity of God's justice against sin, a justice that demands perfect righteousness or a perfect sacrifice.

Christ, however, stands as the ultimate fulfillment and resolution to this dilemma. He is the true King who, unlike Manasseh, perfectly obeyed God, offering Himself as the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His atoning sacrifice on the cross bore the full weight of humanity's sin, including the kind of deep-seated rebellion exemplified by Manasseh and Judah, thereby satisfying divine justice (cf. [Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Christ")). Through faith in Him, believers are not "removed into all kingdoms of the earth" in judgment, but are instead gathered into the new covenant community, the church, and given a new spiritual homeland in Christ (cf. [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). He breaks the curse of sin and its intergenerational effects, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life (cf. [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness of Sins")). Thus, Jeremiah 15:4, while a testament to God's severe justice, ultimately magnifies the glorious grace found in Jesus Christ, who provides the ultimate escape from the judgment due to sin and establishes a kingdom that will never be removed (cf. [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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

2 Kings 24:3

Surely at the commandment of the LORD came [this] upon Judah, to remove [them] out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;

2 Kings 24:4

And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

Jeremiah 24:9

And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

Jeremiah 29:18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

2 Kings 21:11

Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, [and] hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which [were] before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:

2 Kings 21:13

And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

2 Kings 21:16

Moreover Manasseh shed innocent blood very much, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another; beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, in doing [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.