What does Jeremiah 2:15 mean?
"The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant." - Jeremiah 2:15
Jeremiah 2:15 in the King James Version of the Bible states, "The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant." This verse comes from the book of Jeremiah, which is a prophetic book that contains the words and messages of the prophet Jeremiah, who lived in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. This verse specifically is part of a larger passage in which Jeremiah is admonishing the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry.
In this verse, the image of "young lions roaring" is a metaphor used to depict the enemies of Israel. Lions were often seen as symbols of power and ferocity in the ancient Near East, and here they represent the invading forces that have come against Israel. The "roaring" and "yelling" of the lions convey a sense of aggression and intimidation, while the phrase "made his land waste" emphasizes the destruction and desolation that the enemy has brought upon Israel's territory.
The second part of the verse further emphasizes the devastation caused by the invading forces. The burning of cities and the absence of any inhabitants speak to the complete destruction and abandonment of Israel's land. This vivid imagery serves as a powerful warning of the consequences of turning away from God and disobeying His commandments.
The broader context of this verse is crucial in understanding its significance. Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the prophet delivers messages of warning and judgment to the people of Israel, condemning their idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. The overarching theme is the faithlessness of Israel and the dire consequences that will result from their disobedience. God is portrayed as a betrayed and forsaken lover, lamenting the unfaithfulness of His people and warning them of the impending judgment.
In the immediate context of this verse, Jeremiah is using powerful and evocative language to illustrate the consequences of Israel's actions. The imagery of the roaring lions and the desolate cities serves to underscore the severity of the situation and to shake the people out of their complacency. It is a call to repentance and a plea for the people to turn back to God before it is too late.
Symbolically, the "young lions" can be seen as representing the enemies of God's people, whether they be invading armies or spiritual forces that seek to destroy the faith and integrity of the community. The "land waste" and "burned cities" symbolize the devastation that comes from turning away from God, whether on a personal or national level. The absence of inhabitants suggests the abandonment and desolation that result from forsaking God.
Overall, Jeremiah 2:15 is a powerful and evocative verse that serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness. It speaks to the broader themes of judgment, repentance, and the enduring faithfulness of God. By using vivid imagery and poignant language, Jeremiah conveys the gravity of the situation and calls the people to return to their covenant relationship with God.
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Jeremiah 2:15 Artwork
Jeremiah 2:15 - "The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant."
"The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant." - Jeremiah 2:15
Jeremiah 39:15 - "¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,"
Jeremiah 15:2 - "And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity."
Jeremiah 37:15 - "Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison."
Jeremiah 15:12 - "Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?"
Jeremiah 28:15 - "Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."
Jeremiah 10:15 - "They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish."
Jeremiah 13:15 - "¶ Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken."
Jeremiah 8:15 - "We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!"
Jeremiah 4:15 - "For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim."
Jeremiah 49:15 - "For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen, and despised among men."
Jeremiah 17:15 - "¶ Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now."
Jeremiah 41:15 - "But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites."
Jeremiah 38:15 - "Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?"
Jeremiah 29:15 - "¶ Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;"
Jeremiah 15:21 - "And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."
Jeremiah 46:15 - "Why are thy valiant men swept away? they stood not, because the LORD did drive them."
Jeremiah 15:15 - "¶ O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke."
Jeremiah 44:15 - "¶ Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 36:15 - "And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears."
Jeremiah 32:15 - "For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land."
Jeremiah 3:15 - "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding."
Jeremiah 25:2 - "The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,"
"Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel?" - Jeremiah 15:12
Jeremiah 3:2
"¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying," - Jeremiah 39:15
Jeremiah 15:13 - "Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders."
Jeremiah 20:2 - "Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD."
"They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish." - Jeremiah 10:15