Jeremiah 2:15
Jeremiah 2:15 in Multiple Translations
The young lions have roared at him; they have growled with a loud voice. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant.
The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
The young lions have made an outcry against him with a loud voice: they have made his land waste; his towns are burned up, with no one living in them.
The young lions roared at you; they growled loudly. They have devastated your country; your towns lie in ruins. No one lives there.
The lions roared vpon him and yelled, and they haue made his land waste: his cities are burnt without an inhabitant.
Against him roar do young lions, They have given forth their voice, And make his land become a desolation, His cities have been burnt without inhabitant.
The young lions have roared at him and raised their voices. They have made his land waste. His cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.
The lions have roared upon him, and have made a noise, they have made his land a wilderness: his cities are burnt down and there is none to dwell in them.
Your enemies [MET] roared like lions, and they destroyed your land. Now your towns have been burned, and no one lives in them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 2:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 2:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עָלָי/ו֙
יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ
כְפִרִ֔ים
נָתְנ֖וּ
קוֹלָ֑/ם
וַ/יָּשִׁ֤יתוּ
אַרְצ/וֹ֙
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
עָרָ֥י/ו
נצתה
נִצְּת֖וּ
מִ/בְּלִ֥י
יֹשֵֽׁב
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ
shâʼag
H7580
to roar
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כְפִרִ֔ים
kᵉphîyr
H3715
lion
N-mp
נָתְנ֖וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
קוֹלָ֑/ם
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
וַ/יָּשִׁ֤יתוּ
shîyth
H7896
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אַרְצ/וֹ֙
ʼerets
H776
land
N-cs | Suff
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
shammâh
H8047
horror
Prep | N-fs
עָרָ֥י/ו
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
N-fp | Suff
נצתה
yâtsath
H3341
to kindle
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
נִצְּת֖וּ
yâtsath
H3341
to kindle
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
מִ/בְּלִ֥י
bᵉlîy
H1097
without
Prep | N-ms
יֹשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 2:15
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִשְׁאֲג֣וּ
shâʼag
H7580
"to roar"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to roar, like a lion or a conqueror, and is also used to describe God's powerful voice. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of intense power or distress. In Psalm 104:21, it describes the roar of a lion.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to roar 1a) of lion, conqueror, Jehovah, cry of distress
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] mightily, roar. See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 25:30; Psalms 22:14.
כְפִרִ֔ים
kᵉphîyr
H3715
"lion"
N-mp
This word can mean either a village or a young lion. It is used in the Bible to describe a place or an animal, like a lion with a mane. The KJV translates it as lion or village.
Definition: young lion
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: (young) lion, village. Compare H3723 (כָּפָר). See also: Judges 14:5; Jeremiah 2:15; Psalms 17:12.
נָתְנ֖וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
קוֹלָ֑/ם
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
וַ/יָּשִׁ֤יתוּ
shîyth
H7896
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to place or set something, and it's used in many different ways, like appointing someone to a job or setting your mind to do something. It appears in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to lay hands on someone or make something happen.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, lay (hand upon) 1a2) to set, station, appoint, fix, set mind to 1a3) to constitute, make (one something), make like, perform 1a4) to take one's stand 1a5) to lay waste 1b) (Hophal) to be imposed, be set upon
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, [idiom] look, make, mark, put (on), [phrase] regard, set, shew, be stayed, [idiom] take. See also: Genesis 3:15; Psalms 21:7; Psalms 3:7.
אַרְצ/וֹ֙
ʼerets
H776
"land"
N-cs | Suff
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
לְ/שַׁמָּ֔ה
shammâh
H8047
"horror"
Prep | N-fs
Shammâh refers to a state of horror or ruin, often describing a waste or desolate land. It can also mean consternation or appalment, and is used in the Bible to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.
Definition: : destroyed/waste 1) waste, horror, appalment 1a) a waste (of land, city, etc) 1b) appalment, horror Also means: sham.mah (שַׁמָּה ": appalled" H8047H)
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: astonishment, desolate(-ion), waste, wonderful thing. See also: Deuteronomy 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18; Psalms 46:9.
עָרָ֥י/ו
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
נצתה
yâtsath
H3341
"to kindle"
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
To kindle means to start a fire or burn something, and can also mean to leave something desolate. It appears in various forms, including being kindled or setting something on fire.
Definition: 1) to kindle, burn, set on fire 1a) (Qal) to kindle 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be kindled 1b2) to be left desolate 1c) (Hiphil) to set on fire, kindle
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: burn (up), be desolate, set (on) fire (fire), kindle. See also: Joshua 8:8; Jeremiah 11:16; Isaiah 9:17.
נִצְּת֖וּ
yâtsath
H3341
"to kindle"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To kindle means to start a fire or burn something, and can also mean to leave something desolate. It appears in various forms, including being kindled or setting something on fire.
Definition: 1) to kindle, burn, set on fire 1a) (Qal) to kindle 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be kindled 1b2) to be left desolate 1c) (Hiphil) to set on fire, kindle
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: burn (up), be desolate, set (on) fire (fire), kindle. See also: Joshua 8:8; Jeremiah 11:16; Isaiah 9:17.
מִ/בְּלִ֥י
bᵉlîy
H1097
"without"
Prep | N-ms
This word means without or nothing, often used for negation. It appears in various forms, such as without or not yet, in the Old Testament.
Definition: subst 1) wearing out adv of negation 2) without, no, not
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: corruption, ig(norantly), for lack of, where no...is, so that no, none, not, un(awares), without. See also: Genesis 31:20; Job 38:41; Psalms 19:4.
יֹשֵֽׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 2:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 2:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:15
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
- Sermons on Jeremiah 2:15
Context — The Consequence of Israel’s Sin
13“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns— broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
14Is Israel a slave? Was he born into slavery? Why then has he become prey?
15The young lions have roared at him; they have sounded their voices. They have laid waste his land; his cities lie in ruins, without inhabitant.
16The men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head. 17Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 4:7 | A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 50:17 | Israel is a scattered flock, chased away by lions. The first to devour him was the king of Assyria; the last to crush his bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” |
| 3 | Jeremiah 9:11 | “And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” |
| 4 | Isaiah 1:7 | Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you— a desolation demolished by strangers. |
| 5 | Isaiah 5:29 | Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away from deliverance. |
| 6 | Hosea 11:10 | They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west. |
| 7 | Zephaniah 1:18 | Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth. |
| 8 | Isaiah 6:11 | Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, |
| 9 | Judges 14:5 | Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Suddenly a young lion came roaring at him, |
| 10 | Nahum 2:11 | Where is the lions’ lair or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled with their cubs, with nothing to frighten them away? |
Jeremiah 2:15 Summary
[This verse, Jeremiah 2:15, is saying that when we reject God and His ways, we open ourselves up to attack and destruction, just like a lion attacking its prey (1 Peter 5:8). The 'young lions' in this verse represent the enemies of God's people, and the 'land' and 'cities' that are laid waste represent the destruction that comes from sin and rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:7). Just like the Israelites in this verse, we can bring destruction upon ourselves when we forsake God and His ways, but God is always ready to forgive and restore us when we turn back to Him (1 John 1:9 and Jeremiah 31:3)]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the young lions in Jeremiah 2:15?
The young lions in Jeremiah 2:15 are likely a metaphor for the nations that have attacked and oppressed Israel, such as the Egyptians and the Assyrians, as seen in Jeremiah 4:7 and Ezekiel 32:2.
Why are the cities of Israel in ruins?
The cities of Israel are in ruins because of the judgment of God, as stated in Jeremiah 2:15, due to the people's forsaking of the Lord and their disobedience, as seen in Jeremiah 2:13 and Deuteronomy 28:15-20.
Is this verse talking about a specific historical event?
While Jeremiah 2:15 may be referring to a specific historical event, such as the invasion of the Assyrians or the Babylonians, its message of judgment and consequences for sin is timeless and applies to all nations and people who reject God, as seen in Romans 11:21 and 1 Peter 4:17.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Jeremiah?
Jeremiah 2:15 fits into the overall message of the book of Jeremiah, which is a call to repentance and a warning of judgment for the people of Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 18:11 and Jeremiah 25:4-7, and ultimately points to the need for a Savior, as seen in Jeremiah 23:5-6 and Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Reflection Questions
- What are the spiritual 'lions' that are roaring at me, and how can I find refuge in God?
- How have I contributed to the 'ruin' of my own life or the lives of those around me through my choices and actions?
- What are the 'cities' in my life that need to be rebuilt or restored, and how can I seek God's help in that process?
- In what ways have I forsaken the 'fountain of living water' and tried to find satisfaction in other things, as mentioned in Jeremiah 2:13?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions roared upon him, and yelled,.... Or, "gave out their voice" (e); meaning the kings of the nations, as the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi explain it; and are to be understood of the kings
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. Lions - the Babylonian princes (Jeremiah 4:7; cf. Amos 3:4).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
The young lions; understand the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, &c., called lions from their fierceness, and young from their strength. See this 50:17. Roared upon him, and yelled; noting the terrible voice that the lion puts forth, either in the seizing the prey, some say in sport, ; or the devouring it, . A metaphor, noting the cruelty of the enemy, . Burned without inhabitant, i.e. so consumed and wasted that they are uninhabitable, or shortly shall so consume and waste them. See .
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
Jeremiah 2:15 The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.Ver. 15. The young lions roared upon him, and yelled,] i.e., The King of Babylon and his forces, more fierce and fell than young lions. Would any take the Church’ s picture? saith Luther; then let him paint a silly, poor maid, sitting in a wood or wilderness, compassed about with hungry lions, wolves, boars, and bears; for this is her condition in the world. And they made his land waste,] i.e., They shall shortly so make it. Loc. com. tit. de persecut. verae Ecclesia.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
(15) The young lions roared . . .—The real answer to the question, that Israel had forsaken its true master, is given in Jeremiah 2:17. Here it is implied in the description of what the runaway slave had suffered. Lions had attacked him; not figuratively only, as symbolising invaders, but in the most literal sense, they had made his land waste (2 Kings 17:25). Are burned.—Better, levelled with the ground.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
Verse 15. The young lions roared upon him] The Assyrians, who have sacked and destroyed the kingdom of Israel, with a fierceness like that of pouncing upon their prey.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 2:15
15. The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled] referring to the frequent Assyrian invasions. The lion was the symbol of Assyria (Nahum 2:12 f.). Cp. Isaiah 5:29 (of an attacking host). burned up] Many prefer to render, slightly altering MT., are laid waste, desolated, as in Jeremiah 4:7.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 2:15
Upon him - Rather, against him. Israel has run away from his master’s house, but only to find himself exposed to the beasts of prey in the wilderness.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 2:15
15. Lions roared upon him — “Lions” stand for enemies thirsting for plunder. Micah 5:8; Isaiah 5:29, etc.
Sermons on Jeremiah 2:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
With or Without God by Matthew Little | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the devotion and departure of Israel. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a genuine and passionate relationship with God, rather tha |
|
(Through the Bible) Lamentations by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of being double-minded and unstable in one's ways, as mentioned in the book of James. He emphasizes that God does not speak both |
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The Rise and Fall of Babylon by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord delves into the early history of Babylon as mentioned in the Bible, tracing its origins from the time of Nimrod to its eventual rise as a center of religious signi |
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Contrasting Picture of Life and Death by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges and struggles of life, comparing them to footmen in a race. He emphasizes that everyone will face disappointments, sickness, s |
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Bible Survey - Hosea by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the Book of Hosea, highlighting God's steadfast love for His people despite their unfaithfulness, depicted through Hosea's marital experience with Gomer. |
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Isaiah’s Apocalypse by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophecy in Isaiah 24, which describes the destruction and chaos that will come upon the earth. The speaker emphasizes that everyone will |
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Some Comments on Netanyahu’s Election in Israel: A Prelude to Coming Disaster? by Art Katz | Art Katz discusses the implications of Benjamin Netanyahu's election in Israel, suggesting that it may not lead to any significant change in the nation's dire circumstances. He arg |