Jeremiah 9:15

KJV

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, [even] this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Behold, I will feed {H398} them, even this people {H5971}, with wormwood {H3939}, and give them water {H4325} of gall {H7219} to drink {H8248}.

Complete Jewish Bible

therefore," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el: "I will feed this people bitter wormwood and give them poisonous water to drink.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink.

American Standard Version

therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:15 declares a severe divine judgment upon the unfaithful people of Judah, revealing the Lord's righteous indignation against their persistent disobedience and idolatry. Using vivid, sensory metaphors, the verse portrays the impending, bitter consequences of their rebellion, where God Himself will administer a diet of "wormwood" and "water of gall," symbolizing profound suffering, sorrow, and the deadly fruit of their sin. This pronouncement underscores God's unwavering justice and the inevitable outcome of forsaking His covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 9:15 is situated within a lengthy section of Jeremiah's prophecies (chapters 7-10) that deliver a stark indictment against Judah for their idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of God's covenant. The preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 9:13-14](/jeremiah/9-13 "Jeremiah 9:13-14 - Abandonment of God's Law"), explicitly state that the people have forsaken the Lord's law, refused to obey His voice, and stubbornly followed their own hearts and the worship of foreign gods, especially Baal. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct consequence and a solemn declaration of the divine retribution that will be meted out as a result of their covenant infidelity, leading into further laments and warnings about the desolation of the land.

* **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 and early 6th centuries BCE). The nation had largely abandoned the monotheistic worship of Yahweh for syncretistic practices, incorporating Canaanite fertility cults and Baal worship, often even within the temple precincts in Jerusalem. Social injustice, deceit, and moral decay were rampant, as highlighted throughout Jeremiah's book (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:5-6](/jeremiah/7-5 "Jeremiah 7:5-6 - Requirements for True Worship")). The imagery of "wormwood" and "gall" would have been immediately understood by the ancient Israelite audience as symbols of extreme bitterness, poison, and suffering, often associated with divine curses or the consequences of sin, as seen in the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 29:18](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18 - A Root Bearing Gall and Wormwood").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. It emphasizes **Divine Judgment** as a just and inevitable response to persistent sin and covenant breaking, illustrating that God's patience has limits and His holiness demands accountability. It also highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, portraying sin not as a harmless deviation but as a destructive path leading to bitter and poisonous outcomes, symbolized by the wormwood and gall. Furthermore, the opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel," reinforces the theme of **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Authority**, asserting that the judgment comes from the one true God who holds His people and all nations accountable, contrasting sharply with the impotence of the idols they had chosen to worship (cf. [Jeremiah 10:10-16](/jeremiah/10-10 "Jeremiah 10:10-16 - The True God vs. Idols")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Yᵉhôvâh (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From the root meaning "to be," this is the covenant name of God, often translated as "LORD." It signifies the self-existent, eternal God who is faithful to His covenant promises and threats. In this context, the use of "LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" emphasizes His supreme authority over all creation and His specific covenant relationship with Israel, making their rebellion an act of profound betrayal against their own God.
* **laʻănâh (Hebrew, _laʻănâh'_):** Translated as "wormwood," this term refers to a plant known for its extreme bitterness. Biblically, it symbolizes deep sorrow, calamity, and the bitter fruit of idolatry, injustice, and disobedience. It is often used metaphorically to describe the painful consequences of sin, indicating a severe and unpleasant experience that is difficult to endure.
* **rôʼsh (Hebrew, _rôʼsh'_):** Translated as "gall," this word denotes a poisonous or extremely bitter plant, possibly the poppy, or even the venom of serpents. It intensifies the imagery of wormwood, suggesting something not merely bitter but profoundly harmful, even deadly. Together with wormwood, it represents the most grievous and painful experiences imaginable, highlighting the toxic nature of Judah's rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;":** This authoritative prophetic formula establishes the divine origin and absolute certainty of the message. It underscores that the impending judgment is not a human prediction but a direct decree from Yahweh, the sovereign God who commands all heavenly and earthly armies and is uniquely bound in covenant with Israel.
* **"Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood,":** The phrase "I will feed them" indicates God's direct agency in administering the judgment. The imagery of "feeding" suggests an inescapable, sustained experience, implying that the bitter consequences will be a staple of their existence. "Wormwood" symbolizes the profound sorrow, calamity, and bitter suffering that will be their portion due to their idolatry and disobedience.
* **"and give them water of gall to drink.":** This parallel clause intensifies the previous image. "Water of gall" signifies a poisonous, deadly draught, emphasizing the extreme and toxic nature of the judgment. The act of "giving them to drink" further stresses the unavoidable and comprehensive nature of their suffering, implying that their very sustenance will be bitter and harmful.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:15 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Symbolism**. The "wormwood" and "water of gall" are not literal food and drink but powerful metaphors for the bitter and poisonous consequences of Judah's sin. They symbolize the deep sorrow, suffering, and destruction that will befall the nation as a direct result of their rebellion against God. The use of these sensory images creates a visceral understanding of the severity of divine judgment. The phrase "I will feed them" and "give them... to drink" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human actions (feeding, giving drink) to God, emphasizing His active role in bringing about judgment. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Parallelism**, where the two clauses ("feed them... with wormwood" and "give them water of gall to drink") express similar ideas in different but reinforcing terms, amplifying the message of pervasive bitterness and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the principle of divine retribution, where God's justice is meted out as a direct consequence of sustained rebellion. It reveals that God is not indifferent to sin; rather, His holy character demands a response to unfaithfulness, particularly from a people with whom He has covenanted. The "wormwood" and "gall" serve as a stark reminder that while sin may offer temporary allure, its ultimate fruit is bitter and destructive, leading to spiritual and physical desolation. This passage underscores the seriousness of covenant infidelity and the unwavering nature of God's righteous judgment, serving as a warning against spiritual complacency and idolatry.

* [Deuteronomy 29:18](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18 - A Root Bearing Gall and Wormwood")
* [Lamentations 3:19](/lamentations/3-19 "Lamentations 3:19 - Remembering Affliction and Wormwood")
* [Amos 5:7](/amos/5-7 "Amos 5:7 - Turning Justice into Wormwood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:15 stands as a timeless and sobering reminder that our choices have profound spiritual consequences. It challenges us to honestly examine our own lives and communities for any areas where we might be stubbornly rejecting God's commands or pursuing idols, whether they be material possessions, personal ambitions, or even self-righteousness. The "wormwood" and "gall" imagery compels us to recognize the true, bitter nature of sin, which, though often disguised as appealing or harmless, ultimately leads to pain, brokenness, and separation from God. This verse calls us not to fear God's judgment in a way that paralyzes us, but to cultivate a healthy reverence for His holiness and justice, prompting genuine repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in obedience. It reminds us that turning back to God, even in the face of deserved consequences, is always met with His mercy and willingness to restore, offering a path away from the bitterness of sin towards the sweetness of His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "wormwood" or "gall" might I be experiencing in my life that could be a consequence of choices or patterns of disobedience?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and His love?**
* **In what ways might my community or society be "feeding" on spiritual wormwood and gall by rejecting God's ways?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "wormwood" and "gall" in this verse?**

Answer: "Wormwood" (Hebrew: *laʻănâh*) refers to a plant known for its extreme bitterness, often symbolizing sorrow, calamity, and the bitter fruit of idolatry and injustice. "Gall" (Hebrew: *rôʼsh*) signifies a poisonous or extremely bitter herb, intensifying the imagery to suggest something not merely bitter but profoundly harmful or deadly. Together, they are powerful metaphors for the severe, painful, and destructive consequences that Judah will experience as a direct result of their persistent disobedience and rejection of God's covenant. This imagery is consistent with other biblical warnings about the bitter end of sin, such as in [Proverbs 5:4](/proverbs/5-4 "Proverbs 5:4 - The Bitter End of Adultery").

**Does this verse mean God actively desires to punish His people?**

Answer: This verse highlights God's righteous judgment, which is a necessary response to persistent sin and covenant breaking, not an arbitrary desire to inflict pain. God's character includes both profound love and perfect justice. When His people repeatedly turn away from Him, despite His warnings and patience, His justice demands accountability. The judgment described here is a consequence of their choices, intended to bring them to repentance and recognition of their sin, ultimately aiming for their restoration, as seen in God's promises of a new covenant in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). It demonstrates God's commitment to His holiness and the seriousness of sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 9:15 speaks of the bitter judgment on Israel for their sin, it also foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's rebellion found in Christ. The "wormwood" and "gall" represent the bitter cup of God's wrath against sin, a cup that humanity justly deserves to drink. However, in the New Testament, we see Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly drinking this cup of divine wrath on behalf of humanity. On the cross, He experienced the ultimate bitterness of separation from God (cf. [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), taking upon Himself the poison of our sin so that we might be reconciled to God. Through His sacrifice, the bitter consequences of sin are transformed into the sweet reality of grace and forgiveness for all who believe (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, while Jeremiah warns of the bitter fruit of disobedience, Christ offers the life-giving water that quenches the thirst for righteousness and removes the sting of sin (cf. [John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")).

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 8:14

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Psalms 80:5

Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.

Lamentations 3:15

He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

Jeremiah 23:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

Isaiah 2:17

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Revelation 8:11

And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Isaiah 2:22

Cease ye from man, whose breath [is] in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?