Jeremiah 13 18

Jeremiah 13:18 kjv

Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

Jeremiah 13:18 nkjv

Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Humble yourselves; Sit down, For your rule shall collapse, the crown of your glory."

Jeremiah 13:18 niv

Say to the king and to the queen mother, "Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads."

Jeremiah 13:18 esv

Say to the king and the queen mother: "Take a lowly seat, for your beautiful crown has come down from your head."

Jeremiah 13:18 nlt

Say to the king and his mother,
"Come down from your thrones
and sit in the dust,
for your glorious crowns
will soon be snatched from your heads."

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 18 Meaning

Jeremiah 13:18 serves as a direct, imperative divine warning issued through the prophet to the reigning monarch and the queen mother of Judah. It unequivocally declares their impending downfall and loss of power. The command to "come down from your thrones" signifies a forced abdication and removal from their positions of authority, while the powerful imagery of "your glorious crowns will fall from your heads" symbolizes the complete and utter collapse of their royal majesty, dignity, and rule, leading to humiliation and captivity.

Jeremiah 13 18 Context

Jeremiah 13 is a chapter steeped in symbolism and prophetic warnings directed at Judah. It opens with the parable of the linen sash (vv. 1-11), which illustrates Judah's initial close relationship with God, then its corruption through idolatry and pride, rendering it useless for God's purposes. This sets the stage for the impending judgment, which includes the nation being shattered like a winejar (vv. 12-14). Following this, Jeremiah urges Judah to listen and humble themselves before it's too late (vv. 15-17). Verse 18 then delivers a direct pronouncement of this judgment upon the highest earthly powers: the king and queen mother. Historically, this prophecy points directly to King Jehoiachin (also known as Coniah or Jeconiah) and his mother, Nehushta, who were deposed and taken captive to Babylon during the first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. The passage reflects God's sorrow over Judah's spiritual adultery and the inevitability of His just judgment for their unrepentant pride and sin, highlighting that even royalty is not exempt.

Jeremiah 13 18 Word analysis

• Say: Hebrew: 'ĕmor (אֱמֹר). An imperative verb, marking this as a divine command, a prophetic pronouncement, rather than a mere suggestion. It conveys urgency and the absolute certainty of the message from God through Jeremiah.
• to the king: Hebrew: el-hammelek (אֶל-הַמֶּלֶךְ). Refers specifically to the reigning monarch. At the time of this prophecy's most likely fulfillment, it was Jehoiachin (also known as Coniah, cf. Jer 22:24-30), who ascended the throne around 597 BC. The king represents the head of the national government and is ultimately responsible for the people's direction.
• and to the queen mother: Hebrew: we'el-haggebera (וְאֶל-הַגְּבִירָה). Gəbîrāh signifies a 'powerful lady' or 'mistress,' usually referring to the King's mother. In Judah, the queen mother held a uniquely influential and prestigious position, often wielding significant political power (e.g., Athaliah in 2 Kgs 11; Bathsheba in 1 Kgs 2). For King Jehoiachin, this would have been Nehushta (2 Kgs 24:8). Including her emphasizes the complete overthrow of the royal establishment.
• “Come down: Hebrew: redu (רְדוּ). An imperative plural verb, a command for both the king and queen mother to descend. It carries the double meaning of physical displacement and symbolic removal from their exalted status. It's a forceful order, prefiguring their literal being brought low, from their high seat of power to exile.
• from your thrones, Hebrew: mikkis'ôteykem (מִכִּסְּאוֹתֵיכֶם). 'Thrones' (plural) symbolize their combined seat of authority, royal power, and exalted position. The demand to come down from them represents the forfeiture of their rule and sovereign status.
• for your glorious crowns: Hebrew: ki yerədu marômet ro'ôšeykem 'atarot tip̄'artkem (כִּי יֵרְדֽוּ מִרֹאשֵׁיכֶם עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאַרְתְּכֶם). This phrase is literally "for your glorious crown of your head is fallen" (NIV, KJV vary here, with the MT sometimes interpreted as a singular crown but representing multiple - see further in word-group). The 'crown' (ʿăṭārāh) is the ultimate symbol of royalty, authority, honor, and sovereign power.
  • glorious: Hebrew: tip̄'ārâh (תִּפְאָרָה). Conveys splendor, majesty, beauty, and honor. Emphasizes that what was once a source of pride and grandeur will now be completely lost.
• will fall from your heads.” Hebrew: nâpelâh (נָפְלָה) – it has fallen (past tense for future certainty, often seen in prophetic declarations for emphasis). This implies a violent, undignified removal, rather than a gentle taking off. The crowns are not merely surrendered but 'fall,' suggesting chaos, humiliation, and destruction. This signifies not just a loss of status but a public degradation.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis

• "Say to the king and to the queen mother": This direct address highlights the accountability of those in highest authority. God's message penetrates the palace walls, demonstrating His supreme authority over all earthly rulers and their power structures.
• "Come down from your thrones": This phrase is a powerful imperative demanding abdication. It prophesies a swift, irreversible shift in power. It's a vivid image of forced relinquishment, symbolizing the end of their independent rule and a subjugation to a foreign power. It's also a moral challenge to humble themselves, though they would not heed.
• "for your glorious crowns will fall from your heads": This clarifies why they must descend from their thrones. The "glorious crowns" represent all their perceived strength, majesty, and God-given (but abused) authority. Their "falling" symbolizes a public, humiliating, and complete loss of sovereignty, honor, and dignity. It's not a voluntary removal but a violent wrenching away, foreshadowing captivity and loss of independence for the entire nation, represented by its leaders. The past tense of "fall" (nâpelâh) underscores the divine certainty and inevitability of this coming judgment.

Jeremiah 13 18 Bonus section

The historical fulfillment of this verse is particularly striking. While Jehoiakim (Jehoiachin's predecessor) faced the early stages of Babylon's incursions, it was Jehoiachin who was specifically targeted for removal. In 597 BC, just three months after his accession, King Jehoiachin, his mother Nehushta, his officials, and his leading men voluntarily surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:12). This was a direct, albeit initially voluntary, descent from their thrones, followed by a forced exile, perfectly mirroring the prophecy of their crowns falling. This highlights the predictive power and accuracy of Jeremiah's prophecies. The mention of the "queen mother" specifically underscores her significant political role in ancient Judah, which was often more prominent than in other contemporary Near Eastern monarchies. The phrase also implicitly laments the nation's spiritual condition, where leadership had led the people astray, moving from a position of spiritual glory (as a "crown of glory in the hand of the LORD," Isa 62:3) to one of ignominy and shame.

Jeremiah 13 18 Commentary

Jeremiah 13:18 stands as a stark divine proclamation against the entrenched pride and misrule of Judah's royal house. Through the prophet, God directly addresses the king and the prominent queen mother, signifying that no earthly authority, however high or esteemed, is immune to divine judgment when they stray from His will. The command "come down from your thrones" is a metaphorical yet prophetically literal call to relinquish power, foretelling their imminent deposition and loss of sovereignty. This removal is not a peaceful transition but a violent "fall" of their "glorious crowns" – the very symbols of their majesty, dignity, and God-granted authority. This humiliation would manifest in their eventual exile, fulfilling God's long-standing warnings against idolatry and unfaithfulness. The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and rulers, demonstrating that He raises up and casts down kings according to His divine purpose. It's a reminder that earthly power is fleeting and only true glory lies in obedience and humility before the Almighty.

• Practical Examples:
  • Recognizing that no position or privilege, no matter how elevated, exempts one from accountability before God.
  • Understanding that pride, particularly in leadership, inevitably leads to a fall.
  • Learning to discern between true, God-given authority and worldly power, which often becomes a source of self-exaltation rather than service.