Jeremiah 15:4 Study Bible: I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.

◄ Jeremiah 15:4 ►

I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.

Study Bible

I will make them a horror
The Hebrew word for "horror" is "זַוְעָה" (zav'ah), which conveys a sense of trembling, fear, or astonishment. This term is used to describe the profound impact that God's judgment will have on the nations observing Judah's downfall. Historically, the fall of a nation often served as a cautionary tale to others, and here, God is declaring that Judah's fate will be a shocking example of divine retribution. This serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the consequences of turning away from God.

to all the kingdoms of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the widespread nature of the judgment. The Hebrew word for "earth" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can mean land, country, or the entire world. In this context, it suggests that the repercussions of Judah's actions and God's subsequent judgment will be known far and wide, transcending geographical boundaries. This global awareness underscores the universal principles of God's justice and the importance of obedience to His commandments.

because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did
Manasseh's reign is recorded in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33, where he is depicted as one of the most idolatrous and evil kings of Judah. The Hebrew name "מְנַשֶּׁה" (Menasheh) means "causing to forget," which is fitting given how he led the people away from the worship of Yahweh. His actions included the introduction of pagan worship, the shedding of innocent blood, and the desecration of the temple. This phrase highlights the direct link between the leader's sins and the nation's suffering, illustrating the profound impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual health.

in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of peace, is central to Jewish identity and worship. The Hebrew name "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim) carries the connotation of a place founded on peace and divine presence. The mention of Jerusalem here is significant because it was the spiritual and political heart of Judah. Manasseh's sins in this sacred city represented a direct affront to God, who had chosen Jerusalem as His dwelling place. This underscores the gravity of defiling what is holy and the severe consequences that follow such actions.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings, including Josiah and Zedekiah.

2. Manasseh
Son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, known for his idolatrous practices and leading Judah into sin. His reign is marked by significant spiritual decline.

3. Hezekiah
A king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and religious reforms, contrasting sharply with his son Manasseh's reign.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which faced God's judgment due to persistent idolatry and disobedience.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, central to Jewish worship and identity, and the location where Manasseh's sins were prominently enacted.

Teaching Points

The Consequences of Leadership
Leaders have a profound impact on their people. Manasseh's actions led to national judgment, reminding us of the responsibility leaders bear.

The Long-term Effects of Sin
Sin can have lasting consequences that affect future generations. Manasseh's sins brought judgment upon Judah long after his reign.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God is just in His judgment, He also offers opportunities for repentance, as seen in Manasseh's later life (2 Chronicles 33).

The Importance of Faithful Obedience
Judah's downfall serves as a warning to remain faithful to God's commands and avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and disobedience.

National Accountability
Nations, like individuals, are accountable to God for their actions. The sins of a nation can lead to collective judgment.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of Manasseh illustrate the impact of leadership on a nation? Reflect on current leaders and their influence on society.

2. In what ways can the sins of one generation affect future generations, and how can we break cycles of sin in our own lives?

3. How does the account of Manasseh's repentance in 2 Chronicles 33 encourage us about God's willingness to forgive?

4. What parallels can you draw between the warnings in Deuteronomy 28 and the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah 15:4?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Judah's history to ensure our personal and communal faithfulness to God today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 21:1-16
Provides a detailed account of Manasseh's reign, highlighting his idolatry and the abominations he committed, which led to God's judgment.

2 Chronicles 33:1-20
Offers another perspective on Manasseh's reign, including his eventual repentance, which is not mentioned in the account in Kings.

Deuteronomy 28:15-68
Lists the curses that would come upon Israel for disobedience, reflecting the consequences seen in Jeremiah 15:4.

Romans 1:18-32
Discusses the wrath of God against ungodliness and unrighteousness, paralleling the judgment pronounced on Judah.

Sermons

The Sins of the Fathers Visited Upon the Children	S. Conway	Jeremiah 15:4
Fearful Aspects of the Divine Character	S. Conway	Jeremiah 15:1-9

People

Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel

Places

Jerusalem, Zion

Topics

Amongst, Cause, Driven, Fear, Forth, Fro, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Hither, Horror, Jerusalem, Judah, Kingdoms, Manasseh, Manas'seh, Object, Removed, Thither, Tossed, Trembling

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Jeremiah 15:3

4630 dog

Library

The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Hidden Manna
He was eminently the man that had seen affliction, and yet in the midst of a wilderness of woe he discovered fountains of joy. Like that Blessed One, who was "the man of sorrows" and the acquaintance of grief, he sometimes rejoiced in spirit and blessed the name of the Lord. It will be both interesting and profitable to note the root of the joy which grew up in Jeremiah's heart, like a lone palm tree in the desert. Here was its substance. It was an intense delight to him to have been chosen to the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

General Notes by the American Editor
1. The whole subject of the Apocalypse is so treated, [2318] in the Speaker's Commentary, as to elucidate many questions suggested by the primitive commentators of this series, and to furnish the latest judgments of critics on the subject. It is so immense a matter, however, as to render annotations on patristic specialties impossible in a work like this. Every reader must feel how apposite is the sententious saying of Augustine: "Apocalypsis Joannis tot sacramenta quot verba." 2. The seven spirits, …
Victorinus—Commentary on the Apocolypse of the Blessed John

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of Man. Faith and Love Towards Christ.
2 Tim. i. 13.--"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Here is the sum of religion. Here you have a compend of the doctrine of the Scriptures. All divine truths may be reduced to these two heads,--faith and love; what we ought to believe, and what we ought to do. This is all the Scriptures teach, and this is all we have to learn. What have we to know, but what God hath revealed of himself to us? And what have we to do, but what …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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