Jeremiah 15:7

KJV

And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave [them] of children, I will destroy my people, [since] they return not from their ways.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will fan {H2219} them with a fan {H4214} in the gates {H8179} of the land {H776}; I will bereave {H7921} them of children, I will destroy {H6} my people {H5971}, since they return {H7725} not from their ways {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With a winnowing fork I am scattering them to the wind at the gates of the land; I am bereaving them, destroying my people, because they will not return from their ways.

Berean Standard Bible

I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways.

American Standard Version

And I have winnowed them with a fan in the gates of the land; I have bereaved them of children, I have destroyed my people; they returned not from their ways.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 15:7 delivers a severe prophetic word from Yahweh, declaring His impending judgment upon the unrepentant people of Judah. Employing vivid agricultural and familial metaphors, the Lord vows to "fan" and scatter them like chaff, to "bereave" them of children, and to "destroy" them, explicitly stating that these devastating consequences are a direct result of their stubborn refusal to "return" from their wicked ways. This verse encapsulates the tragic culmination of persistent disobedience, highlighting God's righteous indignation and the certainty of His promised discipline when His covenant people reject His repeated calls to repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 15:7 is situated within a series of increasingly dire pronouncements of judgment against Judah, following chapters where Jeremiah has pleaded with the people and even interceded on their behalf. By this point in the book, God has explicitly refused Jeremiah's intercession (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:16](/jeremiah/7-16 "Jeremiah 7:16 - God Forbids Intercession") and [Jeremiah 11:14](/jeremiah/11-14 "Jeremiah 11:14 - Do Not Pray for This People")), signaling that the time for mercy has passed and the full weight of covenant curses is about to fall. The imagery of winnowing and destruction here echoes earlier warnings and sets the stage for the impending Babylonian exile, underscoring the irreversible nature of the judgment due to Judah's deep-seated apostasy and unresponsiveness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 15:7 is delivered during the late seventh and early sixth centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Judah, despite witnessing the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel due to similar sins, continued in widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to religious rituals without genuine heart change. The "gates of the land" (or city gates) were not merely entry points but served as the primary public squares, legal courts, and commercial centers in ancient Israelite cities. To "fan them with a fan in the gates of the land" implies a public, visible, and comprehensive judgment affecting all aspects of their societal life, from justice to family, signifying that their public spaces, once symbols of community and order, would become sites of divine sifting and dispersion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, portraying God as actively involved in the affairs of His people, not as a passive observer but as a righteous judge who executes His word. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Unrepentance**, emphasizing that Judah's persistent refusal to "return from their ways" (a recurring call throughout Jeremiah, such as in [Jeremiah 3:22](/jeremiah/3-22 "Jeremiah 3:22 - Call to Return")) is the direct cause of their impending calamity. This illustrates the principle that prolonged disobedience inevitably leads to severe divine discipline. Thirdly, the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Apostasy** is central, as Judah's judgment is a direct consequence of their breaking the covenant established at Sinai, which promised both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The "bereavement of children" and "destruction of my people" signify the ultimate breakdown of the covenant relationship and the loss of national identity and future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fan (Hebrew, _zârâh'_ / _mizreh'_):** The verb *zârâh* (H2219) means "to toss about, diffuse, winnow, scatter." The noun *mizreh* (H4214) refers to the "winnowing shovel" or "fan" used in this process. Together, they depict an agricultural practice where grain is tossed into the air, allowing the wind to blow away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier grain. In this context, God is the one doing the winnowing, and His people are the grain being sifted. This imagery signifies a violent separation, scattering, and purification, often leading to dispersion and judgment, where the "chaff" (the wicked or unrepentant) are blown away.
* **bereave (Hebrew, _shâkôl'_):** This primitive root (H7921) means "to miscarry, suffer abortion," or by analogy, "to bereave (of children)." It conveys a profound and devastating sense of loss, specifically the loss of offspring. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, childlessness was considered one of the most severe curses and a fundamental threat to a family's or nation's continuity and legacy. God's declaration to "bereave them of children" underscores the depth of the impending national catastrophe, striking at the very future and hope of Judah.
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root (H7725) is highly significant, meaning "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." It is the foundational word for "repentance" in the Old Testament. The phrase "since they return not from their ways" highlights the conditional nature of God's judgment. It is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Judah's persistent refusal to turn back to Him, to change their course of life (*derek*, H1870, "ways"). This emphasizes divine patience that has reached its limit and the people's stubborn unwillingness to heed repeated calls for spiritual transformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land":** This clause introduces the primary metaphor of divine judgment. God, as the divine farmer, will use a "winnowing fan" to sift His people. The "gates of the land" signify public places where this sifting and scattering will occur, indicating that the judgment will be public, widespread, and affect the entire populace, leading to dispersion and separation.
* **"I will bereave [them] of children":** This declaration specifies a particularly grievous form of judgment. The loss of children represents the decimation of the next generation, a direct assault on the nation's future, continuity, and sense of hope. It signifies a profound and deeply personal sorrow that would affect every family.
* **"I will destroy my people":** This stark statement emphasizes the severity and totality of the divine judgment. The use of "my people" is poignant, highlighting the tragic irony that God Himself, who chose and covenanted with Israel, must now bring destruction upon them due to their unfaithfulness. This destruction implies a comprehensive dismantling of their societal and national structure.
* **"[since] they return not from their ways":** This final clause provides the crucial explanation and justification for God's actions. The judgment is not arbitrary but directly conditional upon their persistent unrepentance. Their refusal to "turn back" (repent) from their sinful "ways" (course of life, actions, and idolatry) is the ultimate cause of their impending doom, underscoring God's righteousness in His judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 15:7 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily the agricultural image of winnowing. God is portrayed as a farmer using a "fan" to separate the "grain" (His people) from the "chaff" (the wicked or unrepentant elements). This **Metaphor** vividly conveys a process of violent sifting, purification, and ultimately, dispersion and destruction for those found wanting. The phrase "in the gates of the land" serves as a form of **Synecdoche**, where the gates represent the entire city and its public life, implying that the judgment will be public and pervasive, affecting all aspects of society. The declaration "I will destroy my people" contains a powerful **Paradox** or **Irony**, as it is the very God who formed and sustained His people who now vows to destroy them, highlighting the profound breach of covenant and the severity of their apostasy. Finally, the entire verse functions as a **Conditional Statement**, with the "since they return not from their ways" clause explicitly stating the cause-and-effect relationship between Judah's unrepentance and God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 15:7 profoundly articulates the biblical principle that God, while merciful and patient, is also righteous and just, and He will not indefinitely tolerate persistent rebellion from His covenant people. This verse underscores the gravity of sin, particularly the sin of unrepentance, which hardens the heart against divine appeals and ultimately invites divine discipline. It reveals God's commitment to His covenant, not only in blessing obedience but also in executing the promised curses for disobedience, thereby upholding His holiness and the integrity of His word. The judgment described is not arbitrary but a sorrowful necessity, a consequence of Judah's chosen path of apostasy, demonstrating that true relationship with God requires ongoing faithfulness and a willingness to turn from sin.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Amos 8:1-3](/amos/8-1 "Amos 8:1-3 - The Basket of Summer Fruit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 15:7 serves as a sober reminder that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite, and persistent disobedience ultimately leads to severe consequences. For believers today, this passage underscores the critical importance of genuine repentance and ongoing faithfulness. It challenges us to examine our own lives and communities, asking if we are truly "returning from our ways" that are contrary to God's will, or if we are subtly hardening our hearts to His gentle prompts and warnings. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, the principles of God's holiness, justice, and the seriousness of sin remain unchanged. This verse calls us to humility, vigilance against spiritual complacency, and a proactive commitment to living in alignment with God's Word, understanding that true spiritual flourishing comes through obedience and a responsive heart to His transforming grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly resisting God's call to "return from my ways"?**
* **How does understanding God's justice in Jeremiah 15:7 deepen my appreciation for His mercy and grace in Christ?**
* **What are the "gates of the land" in my own life or community where God might be seeking to bring sifting or purification?**
* **How can I cultivate a more sensitive and responsive heart to God's Word, avoiding the stubbornness that led to Judah's judgment?**

### FAQ
**What does the "fan" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: The "fan" (or winnowing shovel) is a powerful agricultural metaphor. It symbolizes God's active judgment and purification process. Just as a farmer uses a fan to toss grain into the air, allowing the wind to separate the lightweight, worthless chaff from the valuable grain, God uses this method to sift His people. In this context, it signifies a violent dispersion, scattering, and separation, where the unrepentant elements of Judah would be blown away or destroyed, leaving behind a remnant or undergoing severe discipline. This imagery is also used in the New Testament to describe the Messiah's role in judgment, as seen in [Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - John the Baptist on the Messiah's Winnowing Fork").

**Why does God say "I will destroy my people"? Isn't Israel God's chosen people?**

Answer: This statement highlights the profound tragedy and severity of Judah's apostasy. While Israel was indeed God's chosen people, this choice came with a covenant that included both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). God's declaration to "destroy my people" signifies that their persistent rebellion and refusal to "return from their ways" had reached a point where His righteous judgment necessitated severe discipline, even to the extent of national destruction and exile. It underscores that even a covenant relationship does not exempt one from the consequences of unrepentant sin, demonstrating God's holiness and commitment to justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 15:7, with its stark imagery of divine judgment, winnowing, and the consequences of unrepentance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets foretold a physical sifting and destruction for Israel's unfaithfulness, Christ embodies the ultimate "winnowing fan" (as prophesied by John the Baptist in [Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - John the Baptist on the Messiah's Winnowing Fork")). He is the one who separates the wheat from the chaff, not primarily through physical destruction, but through the call to repentance and faith in His atoning work. The "destruction of my people" and "bereavement of children" in Jeremiah speak to the breaking of the Old Covenant relationship due to sin. In Christ, however, God offers a new covenant where true "return from their ways" is made possible through spiritual transformation and regeneration (e.g., [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment, including the "bereavement" and "destruction" that our sin deserved, offering instead reconciliation and eternal life to all who turn to Him. Thus, while Jeremiah's prophecy warned of a judgment that scattered, Christ's work gathers a new people, purified and redeemed, who genuinely "return" to God through Him (cf. [1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")).

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 51:2

And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.

Matthew 3:12

Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Isaiah 41:16

Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 9:13

For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 5:3

O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

Psalms 1:4

¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Hosea 9:12

Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, [that there shall] not [be] a man [left]: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!