Jeremiah 15:12 kjv
Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?
Jeremiah 15:12 nkjv
Can anyone break iron, The northern iron and the bronze?
Jeremiah 15:12 niv
"Can a man break iron? iron from the north?or bronze?
Jeremiah 15:12 esv
Can one break iron, iron from the north, and bronze?
Jeremiah 15:12 nlt
Can a man break a bar of iron from the north,
or a bar of bronze?
Jeremiah 15 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 15:12 | Shall the iron break the northern iron and the steel? | Prophecy of defeat |
| Jeremiah 15:13 | Your wealth and your treasures I will give as plunder | Judgment and consequence |
| Jeremiah 15:14 | I will cause them to serve your enemies in a land you do not know | Exile and servitude |
| Jeremiah 2:14 | Is Israel a slave, or a homeborn servant? | Israel's fallen status |
| Deuteronomy 28:48 | Therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD sends against you | Curse of disobedience |
| Judges 10:7 | The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines | Historical cycles of judgment |
| Hosea 5:13 | When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Israel his wound, then did Ephraim go to Assyria | Seeking help from pagan powers |
| Amos 6:12 | Can horses run on rocks? Or can one plow there with oxen? | Futility of misplaced effort |
| Psalm 44:12 | You sell your people for no gain; you do not multiply your wealth by their price. | God's seeming inaction |
| Isaiah 10:24 | Therefore thus says the Lord, the LORD of hosts: “O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian… | Assurance against oppressors |
| Isaiah 42:24 | Who gave Jacob to theanço and Israel to the plunderers? Did not the LORD, against whom we have sinned…? | Israel's sin leading to judgment |
| Romans 11:9 | And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block and a retribution for them… | Rejection of Christ |
| Matthew 24:2 | “You see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” | Destruction of the Temple |
| Revelation 18:2 | He cried out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!… | Judgment on worldly systems |
| Zechariah 11:5 | For their oppressors V.13-14] buy them and kill them, and their purchasers do not profit by them. | Exploitation of Israel |
| Micah 7:3 | They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent, and under their lips is the poison of asps. | Wickedness of men |
| Job 20:25 | It is drawn forth, and comes out of his body; the glittering point comes out of his gall: terrors are upon him. | Wickedness and its downfall |
| Proverbs 12:18 | There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. | Power of words |
| Jeremiah 15:14 | I will make them serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for my anger burns like fire a wrath upon you. | Consequence of rebellion |
| Jeremiah 15:2 | If they say to you, ‘Where shall we go?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: Those marked for death, to death; and those for the sword, to the sword; those for famine, to famine; and those for captivity, to captivity.’” | Severity of judgment |
Jeremiah 15 verses
Jeremiah 15 12 Meaning
This verse declares that Israel will not prevail against its enemies, but rather be defeated. It also reveals God's intention to turn enemies against their own people. The imagery is strong, highlighting inevitable defeat and a turning of fortunes where the powerful become powerless.
Jeremiah 15 12 Context
Jeremiah 15 occurs during a period of immense crisis for Judah, with Babylon increasingly threatening and the people facing impending destruction and exile. God has already pronounced severe judgment on Jerusalem for its persistent idolatry and disobedience. In this chapter, Jeremiah expresses his own anguish and exhaustion over delivering God's messages of doom, even questioning God's justice. This particular verse serves as a powerful divine rebuttal, reinforcing the certainty of judgment and explaining God's unyielding stance due to their deep-seated rebellion. It underscores that their spiritual and political alliances have ultimately failed them.
Jeremiah 15 12 Word analysis
Shall ( Heb:
yigalluh): Implies certainty, an inevitable future action.the iron: Represents a formidable and hard military force. It speaks of an unyielding power.
break: Denotes shattering, crushing, or overcoming.
the northern iron: This likely refers to the Babylonian army, positioned to the north of Judah, which was known for its strength and weaponry, possibly superior in quality or quantity compared to Judah's defenses. "Northern" is a significant geographical indicator of the aggressor.
and the steel: Emphasizes the formidable nature of the opposing force, indicating advanced or superior weaponry that will overcome Judah's own means of defense. It implies an insurmountable advantage.
Will you make them tremble ( Heb:
tamid lommu-dem): Questions their ability to withstand or cause fear in the enemy. It highlights their lack of power and resilience against the invading force.Or: Introduces a contrasting or alternative consequence.
Redeem ( Heb:
ga'al): While it can mean to buy back or deliver, in this context, it signifies their inability to save or deliver themselves or others from impending disaster. It's about lacking the power to rescue or liberate.your: Refers to Judah.
army ( Heb:
gibbor- mighty one, warrior): Though "army" is a suitable translation in context, the singular "mighty one" points to the individual strength within the opposing forces that collectively makes them invincible.
Jeremiah 15 12 Bonus Section
The imagery of "northern iron and steel" evokes the highly militarized nature of ancient empires like Assyria and Babylon, renowned for their effective warfare. The term "redeem" carries a significant theological weight in the Old Testament, often associated with God's action to save His people (e.g., from Egypt). Here, its denial highlights Israel's inability to enact their own salvation, emphasizing their dependence on God and the consequence of their rejection of His provisions. The verse challenges any notion of Israel's self-sufficiency or inherent military superiority, forcefully stating that their might is insignificant against the divine will enacted through their enemies.
Jeremiah 15 12 Commentary
This verse paints a stark picture of Judah's impending defeat. Their military might, represented by "iron" and "steel," will prove insufficient against the "northern iron and steel" of their conquerors, likely Babylon. This is not a conflict where they stand a chance. Furthermore, they lack the capacity to instill fear or to deliver themselves from their enemies. Their own strength, symbolized by their warriors ("mighty ones"), is ineffective; they cannot redeem themselves or stand strong. It's a declaration of absolute subjugation and the futility of their resistance against God's judgment. This mirrors themes of broken covenants and the consequences of relying on human strength rather than God.