Jeremiah 5:15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Lo, I will bring {H935} a nation {H1471} upon you from far {H4801}, O house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: it is a mighty {H386} nation {H1471}, it is an ancient {H5769} nation {H1471}, a nation {H1471} whose language {H3956} thou knowest {H3045} not, neither understandest {H8085} what they say {H1696}.

I will bring on you, house of Isra'el, a distant nation," says ADONAI, "an enduring nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know - you will not understand what they are saying.

Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Commentary

Jeremiah 5:15 is a stark declaration of impending judgment upon the kingdom of Judah (referred to here as the "house of Israel"), delivered by the prophet Jeremiah on behalf of the LORD. It specifically identifies the instrument of this divine punishment: a powerful, ancient, and culturally foreign nation from a distant land.

Context

This verse is situated within a section of Jeremiah (chapters 4-6) where the prophet details the reasons for God's wrath against Judah and warns of the devastating consequences. Jeremiah had been preaching repentance and warning of invasion for years, but the people, from the highest officials to the common folk, had largely ignored his message, persisting in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual adultery. God had patiently called them back, but their refusal to return led to this pronouncement of unavoidable judgment, to be executed by a foreign power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse emphasizes that the coming invasion is not merely a political or military event but a direct act initiated by God ("saith the LORD"), a consequence of Judah's sin.
  • The Instrument of Judgment: God reveals He will use a specific foreign nation as His tool for punishment. This highlights God's sovereignty over all nations, even those who do not acknowledge Him.
  • Characteristics of the Invader: The description "mighty nation," "ancient nation," and one with an unfamiliar language underscores the formidable and alien nature of the threat, designed to instill terror and emphasize the completeness of the disruption to Judah's life.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse serves as a severe warning about the results of ignoring God's commands and prophetic warnings, leading to national catastrophe.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ancient nation" (KJV) uses a Hebrew word that can denote a long-established or enduring people. While Jeremiah doesn't explicitly name the nation here, historical context strongly points to the Babylonians (Chaldeans), a powerful empire with deep roots in Mesopotamia. The emphasis on their language being unknown ("language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say") highlights the cultural shock and the complete lack of communication or understanding between the invaders and the people of Judah, adding to the terror and helplessness they would experience.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy aligns with other warnings and descriptions of the coming judgment. The description of a distant nation whose language is strange echoes the prophetic warnings found earlier in the law, such as in Deuteronomy 28:49, which describes the curses for disobedience. Jeremiah himself mentions God summoning kingdoms from the north in Jeremiah 1:15. The identity of this nation as the Babylonians (Chaldeans) is made clearer in other prophetic books, such as Habakkuk 1:6, where God explicitly states He is raising up the Chaldeans to punish the wicked.

Reflection

Jeremiah 5:15 reminds us that God is sovereign over history and can use any nation or circumstance to accomplish His purposes, including judgment upon those who persistently rebel against Him. While the immediate context is the Babylonian exile of Judah, the principle remains: there are consequences for sin and disobedience. It calls believers today to heed God's warnings, live in obedience, and remember that God's plans, though sometimes involving hardship, are ultimately part of His larger work in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:49 (8 votes)

    The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

  • Jeremiah 4:16 (6 votes)

    Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, [that] watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.

  • Isaiah 5:26 (5 votes)

    And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:

  • Isaiah 28:11 (5 votes)

    For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

  • Isaiah 33:19 (5 votes)

    Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, [that thou canst] not understand.

  • Jeremiah 25:9 (4 votes)

    Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

  • Jeremiah 1:15 (3 votes)

    For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.