Jeremiah 13 24

Jeremiah 13:24 kjv

Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

Jeremiah 13:24 nkjv

"Therefore I will scatter them like stubble That passes away by the wind of the wilderness.

Jeremiah 13:24 niv

"I will scatter you like chaff driven by the desert wind.

Jeremiah 13:24 esv

I will scatter you like chaff driven by the wind from the desert.

Jeremiah 13:24 nlt

"I will scatter you like chaff
that is blown away by the desert winds.

Jeremiah 13 24 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 13:24"Therefore I will scatter them like dry stubble eastward toward the desert..."Judgment on Israel
Isaiah 47:14"Behold, they are now like stubble; fire has consumed them! They cannot save themselves..."God's judgment as fire
Psalm 1:4"The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away."The fate of the wicked
Jeremiah 17:1"Judah's sin is written with a pen of iron..."Persistence of sin
Deuteronomy 28:64"And the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other..."Consequences of disobedience
Hosea 4:6"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."Lack of understanding God's word
Amos 6:10"And if there should remain ten men in one house, they shall die."Depopulation as judgment
Luke 17:34-36"...one shall be taken, and the other left."Separation at judgment
John 15:6"If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out like a branch and withers..."Separation from God
Jeremiah 7:15"And I will cast you out of my sight as I have cast out all your brethren, the whole brood of Ephraim."Exile and rejection
Ezekiel 6:8"Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have survivors to escape to the nations..."Remnant to survive
Isaiah 5:13"Therefore my people go into exile for want of knowledge..."Exile due to ignorance
Matthew 24:28"Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."Judgment leading to ruin
Jeremiah 23:39"Therefore, behold, I will surely seize you and cast you away from my presence..."God's direct action
Jeremiah 48:42"And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he has magnified himself against the LORD."Judgment on pride
Zephaniah 1:18"Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the LORD's wrath..."Inability of wealth
Leviticus 26:33"I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you..."Further consequences
Psalm 11:5"The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked..."Divine testing and judgment
Jeremiah 9:16"I will scatter them among nations that neither they nor their fathers have known..."Scattering to unknown lands
Proverbs 1:20-33Warnings against ignoring wisdomConsequences of rebellion
Revelation 18:5-8Babylon's judgmentGod's justice on sin

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 24 Meaning

This verse signifies an inevitable consequence. The actions of the people will lead to their downfall and scattering, rendering their current way of life meaningless and their proud possessions useless. It speaks of a predetermined judgment due to persistent sin.

Jeremiah 13 24 Context

Jeremiah 13 focuses on the sins of Judah, particularly their idolatry and their reliance on outward displays rather than true devotion to God. God uses symbolic actions, like the destruction of a linen belt, to illustrate the imminent judgment. This verse explains the final consequence of Judah's persistent sin: being scattered and their identity obliterated, much like dry stubble that is quickly consumed by fire and dispersed by the wind. The historical context is the impending Babylonian exile.

Jeremiah 13 24 Word analysis

  • And: Connects this consequence to the preceding pronouncements of judgment.
  • I: Emphasizes God's direct and active role in the judgment.
  • will scatter: Denotes a deliberate act of dispersal and destruction.
  • them: Refers to the people of Judah who have sinned.
  • like: Introduces a simile to illustrate the nature of the scattering.
  • dry: Highlights the complete desiccation and worthlessness of the people in their current state, easily destroyed.
  • stubble: Represents that which is left after harvest, dried, worthless, and easily blown away or burned. It signifies a people stripped of their strength, sustenance, and value.
  • eastward: Specifies a direction, possibly towards the Arabian desert, a desolate and inhospitable place.
  • toward: Indicates the destination or focus of the scattering.
  • the: Article specifying "desert."
  • desert: Symbolizes desolation, emptiness, and separation from life and sustenance, mirroring the spiritual state of the people.
  • because: Explains the reason for the scattering.
  • they: Refers back to "them," the people of Judah.
  • have: Indicates a continuous state or action.
  • despised: Signifies a deep lack of respect and contempt, not just disobedience but an active rejection of God's word and authority. This is a profound sin in the biblical narrative.
  • my: Possessive pronoun, indicating God's own words or commands.
  • voice: Refers to God's spoken instructions and warnings.
  • to: Indicates the object of their contempt.
  • hear: Implies an unwillingness to listen and internalize God's guidance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "scatter them like dry stubble": This potent imagery vividly portrays complete obliteration and dispersal. Stubble has no intrinsic value after the grain is harvested; it is dried out, easily ignitable, and vulnerable to the slightest breeze. This suggests that Judah will be utterly stripped of their vitality, their resources, and their organized societal structure, becoming utterly powerless and without any means of self-preservation.
  • "eastward toward the desert": The "east" often symbolized for Israel a region of foreignness and danger. The desert amplifies the image of desolation and divine abandonment, a place where survival is arduous and one is far from the promised land's fertility and security.
  • "because they have despised my voice": This is the root cause of the judgment. Despising God's voice is not merely forgetting or neglecting; it is an active act of rejection and contempt. It signifies a proud refusal to acknowledge God's authority and His word as the basis for their life and governance.

Jeremiah 13 24 Bonus section

The "despising of God's voice" signifies a deeper rebellion than simple disobedience. It implies a willful disregard and devaluation of God's character, His commands, and His love. This is akin to the sin of unbelief and apostasy, where one not only fails to do what is right but actively rejects the source of all goodness. The scattering foreshadowed here aligns with broader themes in Scripture concerning exile as a consequence of covenant violation, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His judgments even as He remains sovereign over His people's fate. This verse underscores the severity of spiritual pride and its ultimate fruitlessness.

Jeremiah 13 24 Commentary

Jeremiah 13:24 is a solemn declaration of God's inescapable justice. The people of Judah, by despising God's voice, have rendered themselves like dry stubble – easily scattered and destroyed. This scattering will be thorough, sending them to desolate regions where their former status and possessions will be meaningless. The judgment is a direct consequence of their deliberate rejection of divine authority, highlighting that true destruction comes from spiritual disconnection.