JérémieChapitre 15

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Then the LORD said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me, my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them away from my presence—let them go!

And when they ask you, "Where shall we go?" tell them: This is what the LORD says: Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for famine, to famine; those for captivity, to captivity.

I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.

Who will have pity on you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve for you? Who will turn aside to ask how you are?

You have rejected me, declares the LORD; you keep going backward. So I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you; I am weary of relenting.

I winnowed them with a fork at the gates of the land; I bereaved them, I destroyed my people, for they would not turn from their ways.

Their widows became more numerous before me than the sand of the seas. At midday I brought a destroyer against the mothers of young men; suddenly I brought down on them anguish and terror.

The mother of seven grew faint; she gasped out her life. Her sun set while it was still day; she was disgraced and humiliated. And those of them who are left I will hand over to the sword before their enemies, declares the LORD.

Woe to me, my mother, that you gave me birth—a man of strife and contention to the whole land! I have not lent, nor have I borrowed, yet everyone curses me.

The LORD said: Surely I will set you free for a good purpose; surely I will make the enemy plead with you in a time of disaster, in a time of distress.

Can iron be broken—iron from the north—or bronze?

Your wealth and your treasures I will give away as plunder, without price, because of all your sins throughout your territory.

I will make you serve your enemies in a land you do not know, for my anger has kindled a fire that will burn against you.

You know, LORD—remember me and care for me; take vengeance for me on those who persecute me. In your patience, do not take me away; know that I bear reproach for your sake.

When your words came, I ate them; your word became my joy and the delight of my heart, for I bear your name, LORD God of hosts.

I never sat in the company of revelers to make merry. I sat alone because your hand was on me, for you had filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain unending and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have become to me like a deceptive brook, like waters that cannot be trusted.

Therefore this is what the LORD says: If you turn back, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you separate the precious from the worthless, you shall be as my mouth. Let them turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

To this people I will make you a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.

I will rescue you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

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Résumé2

Chapitre 15

Main Theme: God’s irrevocable judgment against Judah and Jeremiah’s struggle between suffering and calling.

Content: God declares that even intercession by Moses or Samuel could not avert the judgment upon the people. Four fates await them: death, sword, famine, and captivity—all because of King Manasseh’s sins. Jeremiah laments his loneliness and suffering as a prophet, yet also confesses that God’s word became his joy. God responds by confirming Jeremiah’s calling and promising protection if he remains faithful.

Key Words/Images:

Moses and Samuel (v.1): Even the greatest intercessors in Israel’s history could not change God’s decision to bring judgment.
Four Devastations (v.2–3): Death, sword, famine, and captivity represent complete judgment.
God’s Word as Food (v.16): Jeremiah "ate" God’s word, and it became his joy—an image of receiving and living by God’s message.
Bronze Wall (v.20): God promises to make Jeremiah an impregnable fortress against his opponents.

Contexte historique

Historical and Cultural Context for Jeremiah 15

People

Moses and Samuel (v. 1) are mentioned as the foremost intercessors in Israel’s history. Moses interceded for the people after the golden calf incident (Exod 32:11–14) and on several other occasions, while Samuel prayed for Israel throughout his entire ministry (1 Sam 7:5–9; 12:19–23). The fact that even these two mighty intercessors could not avert judgment underscores the seriousness of Judah’s situation. This was a radical message for a people who trusted in the power of intercession.

King Manasseh (v. 4) reigned over Judah for 55 years (approximately 697–643 B.C.) and is described in 2 Kings 21 as the worst of Judah’s kings. He reintroduced idolatry, built altars to Baal, practiced child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom, and filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Although Josiah later carried out reforms, Manasseh’s sins were so severe that, according to biblical tradition, they made judgment over Judah unavoidable (2 Kgs 24:3–4).

Events and Customs

The four punishments (vv. 2–3)—death, sword, famine, and captivity—form a formulaic listing of the consequences of war well known in the ancient Near East. The further description involving sword, dogs, birds, and wild animals refers to ultimate disgrace: remaining unburied. For Israelites, proper burial was essential, and being eaten by animals was considered the worst fate imaginable (cf. Deut 28:26).

"The sun goes down while it is still day" (v. 9) is a poetic image of a mother who has borne seven children (a symbol of completeness and blessing) yet experiences losing them all. This completely overturns the cultural expectation that many children guaranteed security in old age.

Key Terms

*To be winnowed with a winnowing fork (מִזְרֶה, mizreh, v. 7)*—The winnowing fork was a tool used to separate grain from chaff by tossing the mixture into the air so that the wind could blow away the chaff. The image of being "thrown" at "the gates of the land" describes exile and scattering—the people will be scattered like chaff in the wind.

"Iron from the north and bronze" (v. 12) is a difficult verse. It may refer to Babylon’s invincible military strength, or it could be a rhetorical question asking whether Judah’s kingdom can break the iron-hard power of the enemy from the north. "From the north" was the traditional invasion route into Palestine, and iron and bronze symbolized unstoppable military might.

"To eat the words" (v. 16) expresses complete internalization of God’s message. This image is also found in Ezekiel (3:1–3). For Jeremiah, God’s word was both a source of deep joy and a burden that led to suffering and isolation.

Personnages5

Judas (Judah, son of Jacob, patriarch of the tribe of Judah)1 Samuel1 Moses1 Hezekiah1 Manasse (Joseph's son)1

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Mots-clés10

Jeremiah — A prophet in the Old Testament who received God's message and delivered it to the people of Israel.
Lord — Another name for God, the almighty Creator.
Judgment — God's righteous punishment or consequences for human actions, especially their disobedience toward him.
Repentance — The feeling of regret over past actions, often linked with recognizing sin and a desire to change.
Enemies — Individuals, nations, or forces that oppose God's people and his will.
Exile — The state of being forced away from one's homeland, often as a result of war or God's judgment.
Babylon — An ancient city and empire in Mesopotamia that conquered Jerusalem and led the Jews into exile.
Grace — God's unmerited favor and mercy toward people, despite their sin and disobedience.
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