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Jeremiah 13:19

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 13:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.
Jeremiah 13:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Give glory to Jehovah your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
17But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah`s flock is taken captive.
18Say thou unto the king and to the queen-mother, Humble yourselves, sit down; for your headtires are come down, even the crown of your glory.
19The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive.
20Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
21What wilt thou say, when he shall set over thee as head those whom thou hast thyself taught to be friends to thee? shall not sorrows take hold of thee, as of a woman in travail?
22And if thou say in thy heart, Wherefore are these things come upon me? for the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts uncovered, and thy heels suffer violence.
← Jeremiah 13:18Jeremiah 13:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them, etc.] Meaning the cities of Judah, which lay in the southern part of the land of Israel, and to the south of Babylon; which might be said to be shut up, and not in the power of any to open, when besieged by the Chaldean army; or rather when destroyed, that there were none to go in and out; though some think the cities of Egypt are intended, which lay south of Judea, from whence the Jews should not have the relief they expected, and where they should find no refuge; but the former sense seems best: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it; it was in part carried away in Jehoiachin’s time, and wholly in Zedekiah’s; which…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cities of the south--namely, south of Judea; farthest off from the enemy, who advanced from the north. shut up--that is, deserted (Isa 24:10); so that none shall be left to open the gates to travellers and merchants again [HENDERSON]. Rather, shut up so closely by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, sent on before (Kg2 24:10-11), that none shall be allowed by the enemy to get out (compare Jer 13:20). wholly--literally, "fully"; completely.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Shall be shut up - Rather, “are shut up, and no man openeth them.” The cities of the Negeb, the southern district of Judah, are blockaded, with no one to raise the siege. The captivity was the inevitable result of the capture of the fortified towns. An army entering from the north would march along the Shefelah, or fertile plain near the seacoast, and would capture the outlying cities, before it attacked Jerusalem, almost inaccessible among the mountains. Judah shall be ... - Translate, “Judah is ...” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The cities - The cities of Judah lay southward from Chaldea. Jeremiah 13:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“cities: Jer 17:26, Jer 33:13; Jos 18:5; Eze 20:46, Eze 20:47 shut: Deu 28:52; Job 12:14 Judah: Jer 39:9, Jer 52:27; Lev 26:31-33; Deu 28:15, Deu 28:64-68; Kg2 25:21 Jeremiah 13:20”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification