Jeremiah 13 13

Jeremiah 13:13 kjv

Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

Jeremiah 13:13 nkjv

"Then you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land?even the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem? with drunkenness!

Jeremiah 13:13 niv

then tell them, 'This is what the LORD says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 13:13 esv

Then you shall say to them, 'Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will fill with drunkenness all the inhabitants of this land: the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 13:13 nlt

"Then tell them, 'No, this is what the LORD means: I will fill everyone in this land with drunkenness ? from the king sitting on David's throne to the priests and the prophets, right down to the common people of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 13 Meaning

This verse declares the LORD's certain and sweeping judgment upon the unfaithful people of Judah, specifically highlighting their various leaders and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Through the potent metaphor of "drunkenness," God proclaims that He will fill them with a state of confusion, helplessness, and spiritual disorientation, rendering them powerless to resist the impending destruction. It signifies a divine decree of moral and spiritual stupor, leading to their utter ruin.

Jeremiah 13 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 13 focuses on the theme of Judah's pride, corruption, and the impending judgment from God. The chapter opens with the symbolic action of Jeremiah wearing a linen sash and then burying it, allowing it to become ruined. This action represents how Judah's pride, once intended to cling to God and be His glory, had become corrupted and defiled, destined for ruin and worthlessness (Jer 13:9-11). The immediate preceding verses (Jer 13:12-14) present the "wine jars" parable, where God states that just as wine jars are filled with wine, He will fill all the inhabitants of the land—from kings to commoners—with drunkenness. This state of spiritual and moral intoxication will lead to their violent collision and destruction, as depicted in Jeremiah 13:14. Verse 13 is thus a direct exposition and amplification of this parable, clarifying exactly who will be subject to this divine stupor, specifically highlighting the key societal groups responsible for the nation's spiritual well-being. Historically, Judah was in a period of severe spiritual decline, resisting God's warnings through Jeremiah, clinging to idolatry and false security despite the looming threat of the Babylonian empire.

Jeremiah 13 13 Word analysis

• Then shalt thou say unto them: This is a direct command from the LORD to Jeremiah. It underscores Jeremiah's role as a divine messenger, conveying God's explicit word to a recalcitrant people. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and urgency of the message.
• Thus saith the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, koh amar YHWH): This is the foundational prophetic formula, establishing the immediate divine authority behind the declaration. It means "Thus has the LORD spoken," signaling that the subsequent words are not Jeremiah's opinions but the very pronouncement of the Sovereign God of Israel. It serves to authenticate the prophecy as divinely inspired truth.
• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An emphatic interjection meaning "look," "pay attention," or "indeed." It is used to draw attention to something significant, often indicating an imminent, certain, and sometimes alarming declaration or event. Here, it calls for grave attention to God's ensuing statement of judgment.
• I will fill (וּמִלֵּאתִי, ūmilēl'tî, from the root מָלֵא male'): This is a strong declaration of divine agency. It's not that Judah will merely become drunk, but God Himself will cause them to be filled. The verb implies completion, plenitude, and an inescapable divine act. God is not merely allowing things to happen but actively bringing about this state of judgment.
• all the inhabitants of this land: This phrase signifies the comprehensive and universal scope of the judgment. No one within the borders of Judah will be exempt from this divine action, indicating the deep pervasiveness of the sin that drew God's wrath.
• even the kings that sit upon David's throne: This specifically targets the political leadership of Judah, highlighting their profound failure to uphold the covenant and lead the people righteously. These kings, meant to rule according to God's law (Deu 17:18-20), often led the nation into idolatry and injustice. Their special privilege now means special judgment.
• and the priests that minister in the LORD'S name: This points to the religious leaders responsible for teaching God's Law, maintaining the Temple service, and guiding the people spiritually (Mal 2:7). Their duty was to preserve true worship and knowledge of God; however, many had become corrupt, teaching for hire and condoning evil. Their judgment underscores the gravity of their spiritual betrayal.
• and the prophets that prophesy: This refers to the spiritual seers and speakers of God's word, though in Jeremiah's day, many were false prophets delivering comforting lies (Jer 14:13-14). Both true (those who might have been compromised or ineffective) and false prophets would share in the national confusion. This segment signifies the failure of spiritual discernment and leadership.
• and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: The capital city, a symbolic heart of the nation and the place where God's Temple resided. Its inclusion ensures that the judgment extends beyond the specific leadership groups to include every ordinary citizen, affirming the widespread apostasy. Jerusalem's symbolic significance means its fall is Judah's fall.
• with drunkenness (שִׁכָּרוֹן, shikkaron): This is the key metaphor. It does not mean literal alcoholic intoxication, but rather a state of spiritual stupor, disorientation, moral blindness, confusion, and loss of rational judgment and self-control. Like one physically drunk, they will be unstable, vulnerable, and unable to make wise decisions, making them easy targets for the coming destruction. It implies an overwhelming divine confusion that paralyzes their ability to resist or comprehend their predicament.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD": This powerful introductory phrase sets the tone for a direct and unequivocal divine pronouncement, relayed through His chosen prophet. It is God Himself speaking directly to His disobedient people.
• "Behold, I will fill... with drunkenness": This phrase frames the entire verse as an active, deliberate act of God's judgment. The "filling" signifies the completeness and pervasiveness of the resulting "drunkenness"—a spiritual and moral disorientation. God is the subject, the author of this judgment.
• "all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings... and the priests... and the prophets... and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem": This detailed list emphatically portrays the universal and hierarchical reach of God's judgment. No class or individual is spared, from the highest political and religious authorities down to the ordinary citizens. It signifies a complete societal breakdown caused by widespread unfaithfulness across all sectors of society. The inclusion of leaders emphasizes their culpability for failing to lead the people in righteousness, while the general "inhabitants" highlights their complicity in turning away from God.

Jeremiah 13 13 Bonus section

• The Cup of Wrath: The imagery of "drunkenness" often appears elsewhere in the Bible, notably in Psalms and Isaiah, linked to the "cup of God's wrath" (e.g., Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15). This "cup" signifies a divinely appointed portion of suffering and judgment that nations, particularly those in rebellion against God, are made to drink, leading to staggering, confusion, and utter destruction.
• Judgment Beginning with the House of God: The explicit targeting of "kings," "priests," and "prophets" illustrates a principle seen throughout scripture: judgment often begins with those in positions of spiritual and political authority (1 Pet 4:17). Those who had been given much responsibility to lead the people in truth and righteousness, yet failed or actively corrupted them, faced heightened accountability.
• Spiritual Drunkenness: Beyond physical intoxication, the Bible often uses "drunkenness" to denote a state of spiritual dullness, moral laxity, or heedlessness towards God's warnings. This spiritual state leaves individuals and nations vulnerable to deception and destruction, mirroring the physical state of helplessness.
• The Unavoidability of God's Decree: The phrase "I will fill" conveys absolute divine certainty and power. God's judgment is not merely a consequence of human actions but an active, inescapable decree, emphasizing His control over historical events and the ultimate fate of nations.
• Irony of Prophetic Calling: It is a stark irony that the "prophets that prophesy" are included in those to be filled with drunkenness. This reflects the reality in Jeremiah's time where many prophets spoke falsehoods or compromised truth, blurring spiritual discernment for the people. Their own lack of spiritual sobriety contributed to the national malaise.

Jeremiah 13 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 13:13 is a chilling divine pronouncement underscoring God's righteous wrath against Judah's persistent sin. Using the vivid imagery of "drunkenness," it depicts not a celebration, but a debilitating stupor brought on by God's judgment. This isn't literal intoxication, but a profound spiritual, moral, and political confusion that robs the nation of its discernment and ability to act rationally. It’s a state of being utterly disoriented, making them ripe for destruction by their enemies. The verse meticulously lists the targets: kings, priests, prophets, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem, demonstrating that no segment of society, especially not the leadership charged with guiding the nation, will escape responsibility or the impending calamity. God's declaration, "I will fill," stresses His active role in initiating this judgment, a direct consequence of their covenant breaking and rebellion. It serves as a stern warning against spiritual compromise and failed leadership, revealing that God is sovereign even in the execution of judgment.