Jeremiah 15:6

KJV

Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast forsaken {H5203} me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, thou art gone {H3212} backward {H268}: therefore will I stretch out {H5186} my hand {H3027} against thee, and destroy {H7843} thee; I am weary {H3811} with repenting {H5162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have rejected me," says ADONAI. "You are heading backward. So I am stretching out my hand against you; tired of sparing you, I am destroying you.

Berean Standard Bible

You have forsaken Me, declares the LORD. You have turned your back. So I will stretch out My hand against you and I will destroy you; I am weary of showing compassion.

American Standard Version

Thou hast rejected me, saith Jehovah, thou art gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against thee, and destroyed thee; I am weary with repenting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:6 presents a solemn and definitive declaration from the LORD to Judah, marking a pivotal moment where divine patience with persistent rebellion reaches its limit. This verse encapsulates God's profound disappointment with His covenant people, who have repeatedly abandoned Him and regressed spiritually, leading to an irreversible decree of judgment. It underscores the severe consequences of chronic unfaithfulness and the ultimate culmination of God's long-suffering mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15:6 is situated within a deeply somber section of the book (Jeremiah 15:1-9), immediately following God's resolute declaration that He will not relent from the judgment decreed upon Judah, even if Moses and Samuel were to intercede (Jeremiah 15:1). This indicates a point of no return, where divine patience has been exhausted. The preceding chapters detail Judah's pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and covenant breaking, despite Jeremiah's fervent pleas for repentance. The verses immediately following Jeremiah 15:6 elaborate on the specific forms of judgment—death, sword, famine, and captivity—that will befall Judah, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the impending destruction and the irreversible decree of God. This verse serves as the theological linchpin for the severe pronouncements that follow, explaining *why* such drastic measures are necessary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last kings before the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Judah, the southern kingdom, had witnessed the fall of its northern counterpart, Israel, to Assyria due to similar spiritual apostasy. Despite this cautionary tale, Judah continued its descent into idolatry, adopting foreign religious practices and neglecting the covenant laws of Yahweh. Social injustice, corruption, and a superficial adherence to religious rituals characterized the nation. The phrase "gone backward" reflects a deliberate turning away from the Mosaic covenant and the spiritual heritage bestowed upon them. God's "weariness with repenting" must be understood against the backdrop of centuries of His patient dealings with Israel, repeatedly sending prophets, delivering them from enemies, and offering opportunities for repentance, only to be met with renewed rebellion, as seen in passages like [Judges 2:11-19](/judges/2-11-19 "Judges 2:11-19 - Cycle of Apostasy and Deliverance") and [Nehemiah 9:26-30](/nehemiah/9-26-30 "Nehemiah 9:26-30 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Patience").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 15:6 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **exhaustion of divine patience**. While God is infinitely patient and slow to anger, there is a limit to His forbearance when His people persistently refuse to repent and return to Him. This is not a change in God's nature but a necessary response to unyielding sin, signifying the end of a period of grace and the commencement of judgment. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **apostasy and backsliding**. Judah's "forsaking" God and "going backward" represent a deliberate and profound rejection of their covenant relationship, choosing paths of disobedience and idolatry over faithfulness. This spiritual regression is a recurring lament in Jeremiah, as seen in Judah's spiritual adultery in [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Judah's Unfaithfulness"). Finally, the verse proclaims the **inevitability of divine judgment**. The declaration "therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee" signals that the time for warnings and deferred punishment has passed. God's righteous character demands justice for unrepentant sin, leading to the execution of His divine decree, a theme consistently present when Israel broke covenant, as in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forsaken (Hebrew, _nâṭash'_):** H5203, meaning "to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusively, reject, let alone, permit, remit, etc.); cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer." In this context, it denotes a deliberate and profound act of abandonment by Judah. They have "cast off" or "let fall" their relationship with the LORD, severing the covenant bond through their idolatry and disobedience. This is an active rejection, not merely a passive drifting away.
* **backward (Hebrew, _ʼâchôwr'_):** H268, meaning "the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without." Coupled with the verb "gone" (H3212, _yâlak'_ - to walk), "gone backward" signifies a regressive spiritual journey. Instead of progressing in faithfulness and obedience, Judah has deliberately turned its back on God's ways, moving away from Him and His commands. This implies a conscious reversal of their covenant walk, retreating into apostasy.
* **weary (Hebrew, _lâʼâh'_):** H3811, meaning "to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted; faint, grieve, lothe, (be, make) weary (selves)." This word, combined with "repenting" (H5162, _nâcham'_), is profoundly anthropomorphic. It conveys God's profound emotional state, not of physical exhaustion, but of being "disgusted" or "faint" from the repeated cycle of Judah's sin and His own acts of relenting from judgment. It expresses a divine exasperation and a finality to His patience, indicating that the constant need to defer judgment due to their superficial or non-existent repentance has become unbearable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the core accusation against Judah. The LORD, identified by His covenant name (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), directly confronts Judah with their act of abandonment. "Forsaken" implies a betrayal of the covenant relationship, a deliberate turning away from the one true God in favor of idols and unrighteous living. This is not merely a lapse but a fundamental rejection of their divine allegiance.
* **"thou art gone backward:"**: This phrase further elaborates on the nature of Judah's forsaking. It describes a spiritual regression, a movement away from the path of righteousness and obedience that God had laid out for them. Instead of advancing in their walk with God, they have actively retreated into deeper sin and rebellion, illustrating a persistent and unyielding pattern of disobedience that has characterized their history.
* **"therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee;"**: This clause presents the direct and inevitable consequence of Judah's apostasy. The "therefore" signifies a logical and just outcome. God's "stretching out His hand" is a powerful idiom for the exercise of divine power, here specifically for judgment and destruction. It indicates a decisive and forceful intervention, signaling the end of His forbearance and the beginning of the decreed punishment, which will be comprehensive and devastating.
* **"I am weary with repenting."**: This climactic statement reveals the depth of God's resolve and the reason for the irreversible judgment. The word "repenting" (H5162, _nâcham'_) here means to "relent" or "have sorrow." It does not imply God repents of His own sin (which is impossible), but rather that He is tired of relenting from the judgments He has threatened, or of showing pity and compassion when His people consistently fail to respond with genuine, lasting repentance. It signifies that His long-suffering patience has reached its absolute limit, and the cycle of threatened judgment, deferred punishment, and renewed rebellion must now cease with the execution of justice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, particularly in the phrase "I am weary with repenting." While God is immutable and transcendent, this human-like expression of weariness conveys the depth of His emotional response to Judah's persistent sin and His profound exasperation with their unyielding rebellion. It allows human readers to grasp the gravity of God's patience being pushed to its absolute limit. The imagery of God saying "Thou hast forsaken me" and "thou art gone backward" uses **Personification** to describe Judah's collective actions as a deliberate, personal affront to God, emphasizing the relational breach. Furthermore, the declaration "therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "hand" represents God's power and active intervention, specifically for judgment. The entire verse functions as a **Divine Judgment Oracle**, a common prophetic form where God Himself speaks directly to declare His verdict and the impending consequences. The stark contrast between God's past patience and His present resolve also highlights a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as Judah's continued sin has led them to the very destruction God sought to avert.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:6 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the consequences of unrepentant rebellion. It reveals that while God is indeed "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" ([Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion and Steadfast Love")), His patience is not infinite in the face of deliberate and prolonged rejection of His covenant. The divine "weariness with repenting" does not imply a change in God's character but rather a righteous resolve to uphold His justice when mercy has been consistently spurned. It underscores the principle that divine forbearance is intended to lead to repentance ([Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "Romans 2:4 - God's Forbearance Leading to Repentance")), and when that purpose is thwarted by hardened hearts, judgment becomes a necessary and just outcome. This verse serves as a stark reminder that a covenant relationship with God demands faithfulness and a responsive heart, and persistent backsliding inevitably leads to severe divine discipline.

* [Hosea 11:8](/hosea/11-8 "Hosea 11:8 - God's Reluctance to Give Up Ephraim")
* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 15:6 delivers a sobering message that transcends its historical context, offering timeless truths for individuals and communities of faith today. It compels us to confront the seriousness of our own spiritual walk and the profound implications of our choices. The "weariness with repenting" of the LORD serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency, presuming upon God's grace, or repeatedly turning away from His revealed will. It reminds us that while God's love and mercy are boundless, His justice is equally foundational to His character. We are called to examine our hearts for any areas where we might be "forsaking" Him or "going backward" in our faith, whether through neglect of His Word, pursuit of idols (materialism, self-reliance, worldly approval), or persistent unconfessed sin. This verse underscores the urgency of genuine, heartfelt repentance, not merely a superficial acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but a turning away from sin and a turning back to God with sincere devotion. It challenges us to live in active, obedient relationship with the LORD, recognizing that His patience, though vast, is not an invitation to spiritual negligence but a gracious opportunity for transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "forsaking" the LORD or "going backward" in my spiritual journey?**
* **How does the concept of God's "weariness with repenting" impact my understanding of divine patience and justice?**
* **Am I taking God's grace for granted, or am I actively responding to His call for genuine repentance and obedience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my walk with God is characterized by progression and faithfulness, rather than regression?**

### FAQ
**Does God actually get "weary" or "repent" in the human sense?**

Answer: No, God does not experience weariness or repentance in the human sense of physical exhaustion or regret over His own actions or character. The phrase "I am weary with repenting" (H3811, _lâʼâh'_ for weary; H5162, _nâcham'_ for repenting/relenting) is an **anthropomorphism**, a literary device where human characteristics are attributed to God to help us understand His divine emotions and actions. In this context, "weary" expresses God's profound exasperation and disgust with Judah's persistent rebellion and their failure to respond to His repeated acts of relenting from judgment. "Repenting" or "relenting" here refers to God's repeated decisions to withhold or defer the deserved punishment, or to change His mind about bringing calamity, in response to a people who consistently failed to offer genuine, lasting repentance. It signifies that God's long-suffering patience has reached its limit, not that He is literally tired or regretting His divine nature. This is consistent with God's unchanging character as revealed in [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God Does Not Change") and [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie or Change His Mind").

**What does it mean for God to "stretch out His hand" in judgment?**

Answer: The imagery of God "stretching out His hand" is a powerful biblical idiom that consistently signifies the active and forceful exercise of divine power. While often used to describe acts of deliverance and miraculous intervention (as seen in the exodus from Egypt, [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "Exodus 7:5 - God's Outstretched Arm in Egypt")), in Jeremiah 15:6, it is explicitly for judgment and destruction. It means that God is actively and decisively intervening to bring about the decreed consequences for Judah's unfaithfulness. This is not a passive withdrawal but a direct, powerful, and intentional act of divine retribution, demonstrating God's sovereign authority and His commitment to upholding justice when His covenant has been repeatedly violated.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 15:6, with its stark declaration of God's "weariness with repenting" and His decree of judgment, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, like ancient Judah, has consistently "forsaken" God and "gone backward" into sin, incurring the righteous wrath of a holy God. The curse of the law and the inevitability of divine judgment for sin are universal realities ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, God's "weariness with repenting" for a rebellious people in the Old Testament gives way to His ultimate act of mercy and justice in the New. Instead of stretching out His hand to destroy all humanity, God, in His infinite love, stretched out His hand to offer salvation through His Son. Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment on the cross, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, the divine wrath that humanity deserved was fully satisfied, and the cycle of threatened judgment and deferred punishment was broken for those who believe. Now, God's patience is extended through the gospel, inviting all to come to Christ and find true rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")), where genuine repentance is made possible by the indwelling Spirit, leading to a new covenant of grace and an eternal relationship with God.

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 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Zephaniah 1:4

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, [and] the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

Zechariah 7:11

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

Hosea 11:7

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

Isaiah 1:4

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Jeremiah 6:19

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.