BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 15› Verse 3

Jeremiah 15:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 15:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.
Jeremiah 15:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then said Jehovah unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
2And it shall come to pass, when they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith Jehovah: 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 captivity, to captivity.
3And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith Jehovah: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and to destroy.
4And I will cause them to be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
5For who will have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who will bemoan thee? or who will turn aside to ask of thy welfare?
6Thou hast rejected me, saith Jehovah, thou art gone backward: therefore have I stretched out my hand against thee, and destroyed thee; I am weary with repenting.
← Jeremiah 15:2Jeremiah 15:4 →
← Full Chapter 15 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord, etc.] Or four familiesf311, and these very devouring ones; that is, four sorts of punishment; and so the Targum, “four evil punishments;” which are after mentioned. These are represented as under God, and at his beck and command; servants of his, that go and come at his pleasure, and do his will; and as being over men, and having power and authority to kill and to destroy by a divine commission: the sword to slay: the first and chief of the four families or punishments, which had a commission from the Lord to sheath itself in his people, the Jews; even the sword of the enemy, the Chaldeans, drawn against them by a divine order and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“appoint-- (Lev 26:16). kinds--of punishments.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Kinds - literally, as the margin, i. e., classes of things. The first is to destroy the living, the other three to mutilate and consume the dead. To tear - literally, “to drag along the ground.” It forcibly expresses the contumely to which the bodies of the slain will be exposed. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Jer 7:33; Lev 26:16, Lev 26:22, Lev 26:25; Deu 28:26; Kg1 21:23, Kg1 21:24; Kg2 9:35-37; Isa 18:6, Isa 56:9, Isa 56:10; Eze 14:21; Rev 6:8, Rev 19:17, Rev 19:18 kinds: Heb. families Jeremiah 15:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 15 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification