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Jeremiah 13:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 13:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
Jeremiah 13:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
← Jeremiah 13:19Jeremiah 13:21 →
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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
“Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north, etc.] There are a Keri and a Cetib of the words “lift up” and “behold”; they are written in the singular number, and may be considered as directed to the king, as the words following are; and they are read in the plural number, the state and whole body of the people being called upon to observe the Chaldean army, which came from the north; and is represented as on the march, just at hand to invade, besiege, take, and carry them captive. The Septuagint version renders it, “lift up thine eyes, O Jerusalem”; and the Arabic version, “O Israel: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” that is, the people, as the…”
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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
“from . . . north--Nebuchadnezzar and his hostile army (Jer 1:14; Jer 6:22). flock . . . given thee--Jeremiah, amazed at the depopulation caused by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, addresses Jerusalem (a noun of multitude, which accounts for the blending of plural and singular, Your eyes . . . thee . . . thy flock), and asks where is the population (Jer 13:17, "flock") which God had given her?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jerusalem is asked where the cities, which once lay grouped round her, like a goodly flock of sheep, are gone? The question implies blame. 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
“Where - The prophet speaks to the king, or to the rulers. In the multitude of the people is the king's honour. Jeremiah 13:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:20-22 King Jehoiachin did not seem concerned about the well-being of his beautiful flock, the people of Judah. Judah suffered abuse at the hands of its supposed allies as a result of the king’s many sins.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and: Jer 1:14, Jer 6:22, Jer 10:22; Hab 1:6 where: Jer 13:17, Jer 23:2; Isa 56:9-12; Eze 34:7-10; Zac 11:16, Zac 11:17; Joh 10:12, Joh 10:13; Act 20:26-29 Jeremiah 13:21”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 13 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification