Jeremiah 13 20

Jeremiah 13:20 kjv

Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?

Jeremiah 13:20 nkjv

Lift up your eyes and see Those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given to you, Your beautiful sheep?

Jeremiah 13:20 niv

Look up and see those who are coming from the north. Where is the flock that was entrusted to you, the sheep of which you boasted?

Jeremiah 13:20 esv

"Lift up your eyes and see those who come from the north. Where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock?

Jeremiah 13:20 nlt

Open up your eyes and see
the armies marching down from the north!
Where is your flock ?
your beautiful flock ?
that he gave you to care for?

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 20 Meaning

Jeremiah 13:20 is a poignant prophetic lament and stern warning addressed to Jerusalem, personified as a mother or queen. It calls for immediate attention to the imminent destruction originating from the north—specifically Babylon. The verse directly challenges the city to account for its lost populace, metaphorically depicted as "the flock that was given to you, your beautiful sheep," implying that Jerusalem's leaders have failed in their God-given stewardship over His people, resulting in their dispersion and captivity. It underscores divine judgment for their unfaithfulness and rebellion, which leads to the loss of their most cherished possession—their inhabitants, once considered glorious and blessed.

Jeremiah 13 20 Context

Jeremiah 13 is a chapter steeped in the imagery of impending judgment and the irreversible consequences of Judah's spiritual adultery. It opens with the prophetic act of the linen sash, which symbolizes Israel's former close relationship with God that was allowed to become ruined and useless through sin (vv. 1-11). This vivid object lesson leads directly into a declaration of the Lord's determination to bring calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah. The parable of the wine jars (vv. 12-14) further illustrates that just as jars are filled with wine, so too will all the inhabitants of the land be filled with divine wrath, shattering them beyond repair. Verses 15-19 constitute an urgent appeal to Judah's leaders to humble themselves before it's too late, warning of the shame and ruin that awaits the king, queen, and the entire people through exile. Jeremiah 13:20 then continues this lament and warning, focusing specifically on Jerusalem's inability to account for its lost populace as the northern invasion (Babylon) descends, exposing the utter failure of its leaders to protect the "flock" entrusted to them by God. The historical context is the period leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), where Judah, despite Jeremiah's warnings, persistently rebelled against God, engaged in idolatry, and trusted in political alliances rather than divine protection.

Jeremiah 13 20 Word analysis

• Lift up: (שְׂאוּ - se'u): An imperative verb, strong and direct, demanding immediate attention. It suggests a call to look beyond their current preoccupations and acknowledge the looming threat that is impossible to ignore once seen. This is not a passive glance but an active, conscious effort to perceive.
• your eyes: (עֵינַיִךְ - einaich): Refers to personified Jerusalem, implying a feminine figure like a queen or mother. The plural suggests the city's collective perspective and the magnitude of what she is called to witness. It highlights the city's blindness to its peril, demanding a change in perception.
• and see: (וּרְאִי - u-re'i): Another imperative, closely linked with "lift up your eyes," reinforcing the urgency to truly observe. It's about recognizing the reality of the situation, not just physically seeing, but understanding and internalizing.
• those who are coming: (הַבָּאִים - ha'ba'im): A present participle, indicating an ongoing or imminent movement. It emphasizes the active, unstoppable progression of the invading army, making the threat immediate and certain.
• from the north: (מִצָּפוֹן - mitz-tsafon): A highly significant geographical indicator in Jeremiah, consistently pointing to the Babylonian empire. It evokes fear and judgment, as the north was repeatedly identified as the source of Judah's destruction.
• Where is: (אַיֵּה - ayyeh): A rhetorical question expressing distress, bewilderment, and especially, an accusation. It demands accountability for something that is supposed to be present but is conspicuously missing.
• the flock: (הָעֵדֶר - ha'eder): A common biblical metaphor for God's people (Israel/Judah). Here, it refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, who are scattered or lost due to the coming invasion. It highlights their vulnerability and dependence.
• that was given to you: (אֲשֶׁר נִתַּן־לָךְ - asher nittan-lach): Uses a passive verb, emphasizing that the flock was entrusted to Jerusalem (i.e., its leaders) by God. This underscores the profound responsibility and divine stewardship that has been neglected. The failure is not just against the people, but against the Giver.
• your beautiful sheep: (צֹאן תִּפְאַרְתֵּךְ - tzo'n tif'artech): "Sheep of your glory/beauty/splendor." This phrase describes the people as valuable, a source of honor, joy, and divine blessing for Jerusalem. Their loss is a loss of Jerusalem's very identity and God-given splendor. It amplifies the tragedy, as what was once a source of pride has been lost through negligence.

• "Lift up your eyes and see those who are coming from the north": This phrase paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem being forced to witness its doom. It's a prophetic vision of the Babylonian army on the horizon, too numerous and powerful to ignore. It serves as an immediate, urgent call to awaken from spiritual slumber and perceive the reality of God's impending judgment.
• "Where is the flock that was given to you, your beautiful sheep?": This rhetorical question is a stinging indictment of Jerusalem's leadership (kings, priests, false prophets) and the city itself. It charges them with failing in their fundamental responsibility to care for God's people, whom God had entrusted to them. The "flock" refers to the citizenry, and "beautiful sheep" emphasizes their value and importance in God's eyes, intensifying the tragedy of their impending loss and dispersion. The query implies utter disappearance and lack of accountability.

Jeremiah 13 20 Bonus section

The addressing of Jerusalem in the feminine ("your eyes," "to you," "your beautiful") is a common biblical literary device (anthropomorphism/personification). In this context, it often evokes the image of a mother grieving her lost children or a queen who has lost her subjects, making the lament and the sense of failure even more poignant. This poetic device heightens the emotional impact of the prophecy. Furthermore, the "beautiful sheep" can be seen not just as the people but also symbolic of their spiritual condition when they were in right relationship with God, living under His blessings. Their defilement through sin not only corrupted them but also brought about their scattering, turning their beauty into shame. This verse strongly links the faithfulness of the leadership with the well-being of the nation, illustrating a principle of accountability that extends throughout both testaments for those entrusted with spiritual oversight.

Jeremiah 13 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 13:20 functions as a prophetic lament and a divine cross-examination of Jerusalem. The urgent imperatives "Lift up your eyes and see" demand that the city acknowledge the grim reality of the invading Babylonian forces descending "from the north." This imminent threat is not to be denied or overlooked. The heart of the verse lies in the rhetorical, yet deeply accusatory, question: "Where is the flock that was given to you, your beautiful sheep?" This metaphor unmasks the abject failure of Jerusalem's leadership—kings, priests, and false prophets—to act as faithful shepherds of God's chosen people. They had been divinely entrusted with this "flock," implying a sacred responsibility to guide, protect, and nurture. The description "beautiful sheep" underscores the preciousness and inherent value of the people in God's eyes, and their former status as a people of glory and favor. The loss of this flock through exile and destruction reveals not only the devastation of Judah but also the profound spiritual negligence of those in authority. The question implies an absolute loss and demands an impossible answer, highlighting the irrevocability of their failure and the catastrophic consequences of their sin and idolatry, which directly led to the scattering of God's people.