Jeremiah 30:13

KJV

[There is] none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is none to plead {H1777} thy cause {H1779}, that thou mayest be bound up {H4205}: thou hast no healing {H8585} medicines {H7499}.

Complete Jewish Bible

no one thinks your wound can be bandaged; you have no medicines that can heal you.

Berean Standard Bible

There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sores, no recovery for you.

American Standard Version

There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 30:13 vividly portrays Judah's dire state under divine judgment, depicting a nation so deeply wounded by its sin and rebellion that it finds itself without any human advocate or earthly remedy. The verse underscores the profound isolation and apparent incurability of their plight, emphasizing that their spiritual and national sickness has progressed beyond any human capacity for healing or intercession, thereby setting the stage for God's sovereign and indispensable intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 30:13 is nestled within the "Book of Comfort" (chapters 30-33), a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy that shifts from pronouncements of judgment to assurances of future restoration for Israel and Judah. While the overarching message of these chapters is one of hope and the eventual return from exile, Jeremiah first meticulously details the severe suffering and disciplinary judgment God's people must endure due to their persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and moral corruption. Verse 13, therefore, serves as a stark depiction of the depth of their affliction and the seemingly insurmountable nature of their national wounds, intensifying the contrast with the subsequent promises of divine healing and restoration found later in the chapter, such as in [Jeremiah 30:17](/jeremiah/30-17 "Jeremiah 30:17 - God's Promise of Healing").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Jeremiah's prophecy, the Kingdom of Judah was on the brink of, or already experiencing, the devastating Babylonian exile. The nation had repeatedly rejected God's warnings and pursued alliances with foreign powers, adopting their idolatrous practices, which led to spiritual and moral decay. Culturally, the idea of a "plea" or "cause" (Hebrew: _dîn_) would evoke a legal or judicial setting, where one would typically seek an advocate or intercessor. The absence of such a figure highlights Judah's utter isolation and condemnation in the divine court. Furthermore, the imagery of "binding up" wounds and "healing medicines" reflects ancient medical practices, where poultices and bandages were applied to injuries. The declaration that Judah has "no healing medicines" signifies a condition beyond human medical intervention, underscoring the severity of their national and spiritual disease, which no human wisdom, political maneuvering, or military strength could cure.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, illustrating the severe and isolating repercussions of Judah's covenant unfaithfulness and rebellion against Yahweh. Their wounds are not accidental but are the direct, painful outcome of their sin, leaving them to bear the full weight of their actions, as prophesied throughout the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Your Own Wickedness Will Correct You")). Secondly, it emphasizes Judah's **Desperate and Incurable State** from a human perspective; the phrases "none to plead thy cause" and "thou hast no healing medicines" convey a profound sense of helplessness and abandonment. The nation's condition is presented as utterly beyond human repair, underscoring that no political alliances, military might, or human wisdom could alleviate their suffering. This desperate state, however, paradoxically sets the stage for the third theme: **God's Exclusive Capacity for Healing and Restoration**. By highlighting human inability, the verse implicitly points to the ultimate necessity of divine intervention, foreshadowing the miraculous restoration God promises to bring about for His people, as seen in the broader "Book of Comfort" (e.g., [Jeremiah 33:6](/jeremiah/33-6 "Jeremiah 33:6 - God's Promise of Healing and Peace")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cause (Hebrew, _dîyn'_):** From H1779, this word refers to a judgment, a suit, justice, a sentence, or a tribunal. By implication, it can also refer to strife. In the context of Jeremiah 30:13, it evokes a legal or judicial scenario where Judah stands accused and condemned. The phrase "none to plead thy cause" signifies that Judah has no advocate or defender to argue on their behalf, no one to present a compelling case for their acquittal or mercy in the divine court. Their case is lost, and their judgment is sealed from a human perspective.
* **bound up (Hebrew, _mâzôwr'_):** From H4205, this term denotes a bandage or a remedy, and by extension, a sore or wound that requires a compress. The KJV's "bound up" captures the sense of needing a dressing or treatment for an injury. The verse implies that Judah's wounds are so severe or numerous that they cannot be effectively "bound up" or treated by any available means. It highlights the depth and pervasiveness of their affliction, suggesting a condition that is not merely painful but also resistant to conventional healing.
* **medicines (Hebrew, _rᵉphuʼâh'_):** From H7499, this feminine passive participle refers to a medicament or healing agent. The declaration "thou hast no healing medicines" underscores the utter lack of any effective remedy for Judah's national and spiritual maladies. This isn't just about physical ailments but speaks to the societal, political, and spiritual wounds that have festered due to their sin. The absence of "medicines" means there is no human solution, no political treaty, no military strategy, and no religious ritual that can genuinely cure the deep-seated sickness plaguing the nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is none to plead thy cause":** This clause immediately establishes a scene of legal or judicial abandonment. Judah stands condemned, not merely by external enemies, but by divine judgment. The phrase signifies a complete lack of an advocate or intercessor who could argue on their behalf, present a defense, or appeal for leniency. It implies that their guilt is so overwhelming, or their alienation so profound, that no one is willing or able to stand up for them in the face of God's righteous verdict. This highlights their utter isolation and the finality of their condemnation from a human standpoint.
* **"that thou mayest be bound up":** This phrase connects directly to the idea of healing and restoration, specifically the act of applying a bandage or dressing to a wound. The preceding clause, "none to plead thy cause," sets up the consequence: because there is no advocate, there is no one to facilitate the healing process. The nation's wounds—spiritual, social, and political—are left untended and festering. This signifies an inability to recover or be mended, emphasizing the severity and untreatable nature of their national affliction without divine intervention.
* **"thou hast no healing medicines":** This final clause reinforces the theme of incurability and hopelessness from a human perspective. It explicitly states the absence of any effective remedy or cure for Judah's profound sickness. This is not merely a physical ailment but a comprehensive spiritual and national disease brought on by their sin. No human wisdom, political alliance, military strength, or even religious ritual performed apart from genuine repentance can provide the necessary "medicines" to heal their condition. The verse thus paints a picture of a nation utterly helpless and beyond self-remedy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 30:13 employs powerful **Metaphor** and **Imagery** to convey Judah's desperate state. The nation is personified as a severely wounded individual ("thy cause," "bound up," "healing medicines"), suffering from an ailment for which no human cure exists. This medical imagery ("bound up," "healing medicines") serves as a **Synecdoche**, where the physical inability to heal represents the deeper spiritual and national brokenness. The legal imagery of "pleading a cause" acts as a **Metaphor** for Judah's standing before God's judgment, emphasizing their lack of an advocate. The absolute statements "none to plead" and "no healing medicines" utilize **Hyperbole** to underscore the extreme nature of their predicament, highlighting the utter human impossibility of resolution and thereby magnifying the necessity and power of God's eventual intervention. The verse's stark language creates a sense of **Pathos**, evoking sympathy for the nation's suffering while simultaneously emphasizing the gravity of their sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 30:13 powerfully articulates the theological truth that sin leads to a state of profound brokenness and helplessness that human efforts alone cannot remedy. It underscores God's righteous judgment against covenant unfaithfulness, demonstrating that the consequences of rebellion are severe and isolating, leaving the transgressor without any natural advocate or cure. This desperate human condition, however, serves as a crucial backdrop for the revelation of God's unparalleled grace and sovereign power to heal and restore. It highlights that true healing—whether for individuals or nations—ultimately flows from divine initiative, not human capacity, setting the stage for God to be revealed as the ultimate Healer and Advocate.

* [Hosea 5:13](/hosea/5-13 "Hosea 5:13 - Ephraim and Judah Seek Help from Assyria")
* [Isaiah 1:5-6](/isaiah/1-5-6 "Isaiah 1:5-6 - The Wounds of Israel")
* [Psalm 60:2](/psalm/60-2 "Psalm 60:2 - God Has Broken the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 30:13 serves as a sobering mirror, reflecting the profound consequences of spiritual rebellion and the limits of human self-sufficiency. In our own lives, and in the life of communities and nations, there are times when we face "wounds" so deep—whether from sin, injustice, or broken relationships—that no amount of human wisdom, effort, or resources seems capable of mending them. This verse reminds us that true healing and advocacy for our deepest spiritual and moral maladies are beyond our grasp. It calls us to a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that when all earthly avenues are exhausted, our only true hope lies in turning to the One who can genuinely plead our cause and provide the only effective "healing medicines." It challenges us to confront our own spiritual conditions, acknowledge our helplessness apart from God, and trust in His unique ability to bring restoration where human solutions fail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wounds" in your life or community feel beyond human repair, echoing the despair of Judah in Jeremiah 30:13?**
* **How does recognizing your own spiritual helplessness or the limitations of human solutions lead you to a deeper reliance on God?**
* **In what ways might we, like Judah, seek "healing medicines" from sources other than God for our deepest needs?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God abandoned Judah completely?**

Answer: Not ultimately. While Jeremiah 30:13 describes Judah's desperate state and the absence of human help, it is crucial to understand this verse within the broader context of Jeremiah's "Book of Comfort" (chapters 30-33). This section, despite detailing severe judgment, is ultimately a message of hope and restoration. The verse highlights Judah's *human* inability to find a remedy or advocate, thereby setting the stage for God to reveal Himself as the *only* one who can heal and restore. Immediately following this period of despair, God promises, "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord" ([Jeremiah 30:17](/jeremiah/30-17 "Jeremiah 30:17 - God's Promise of Healing")). So, while the verse emphasizes a temporary state of abandonment by human means, it ultimately underscores God's unique capacity and unwavering commitment to His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 30:13, with its stark portrayal of a nation without an advocate or healing medicines, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, like Judah, is deeply wounded by sin, alienated from God, and utterly incapable of pleading its own cause or finding a remedy for its spiritual sickness. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the ultimate and perfect **Advocate** (Greek: _parakletos_), who intercedes for us before the Father. As [1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ, the Righteous Advocate") declares, "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." He is the one who steps into the divine courtroom, not merely to plead our cause, but to *be* our cause, bearing the full weight of our condemnation on the cross. Furthermore, Jesus is the divine **Physician** and the ultimate "healing medicine" for humanity's incurable spiritual wounds. His atoning sacrifice on Calvary provides the only true remedy for sin, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life. Just as Judah had no earthly balm, humanity has no self-generated cure for its sin-sick soul; but through Jesus' stripes, we are healed ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed"), quoted in [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - By His Wounds You Have Been Healed")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering the only true "healing medicine" that binds up the brokenhearted and sets the captives free ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission to the Brokenhearted")). Thus, what seemed impossible for Judah in Jeremiah's day—an advocate and healing—is gloriously realized for all who believe in 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

Jeremiah 46:11

Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.

Jeremiah 8:22

[Is there] no balm in Gilead; [is there] no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Jeremiah 33:6

Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

Jeremiah 30:17

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, [saying], This [is] Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Deuteronomy 32:39

¶ See now that I, [even] I, [am] he, and [there is] no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither [is there any] that can deliver out of my hand.

1 John 2:1

¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Isaiah 1:6

From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.