BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 2› Verse 15

Jeremiah 2:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 2:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
Jeremiah 2:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith Jehovah.
13For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
14Is Israel a servant? is he a home-born [slave]? why is he become a prey?
15The young lions have roared upon him, and yelled; and they have made his land waste: his cities are burned up, without inhabitant.
16The children also of Memphis and Tahpanhes have broken the crown of thy head.
17Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, when he led thee by the way?
18And now what hast thou to do in the way to Egypt, to drink the waters of the Shihor? or what hast thou to do in the way to Assyria, to drink the waters of the River?
← Jeremiah 2:14Jeremiah 2:16 →
← Full Chapter 2 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
“The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, etc.] Or, “gave out their voice”f29; meaning the kings of the nations, as the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi explain it; and are to be understood of the kings of Assyria and Babylon, and particularly of Nebuchadnezzar; (see <245017>Jeremiah 50:17) compared to lions for their strength and cruelty; their “roaring” and “yelling design” the bringing forth of their armies against Israel, the noise of the battle, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war, and the voice of the warrior: and they made his land waste; all this is said as past, when it was yet to come, because of the certainty of it, and the sure accomplishment of these prophecies; for this…”
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
“lions--the Babylonian princes (Jer 4:7; compare Amo 3:4). The disaster from the Babylonians in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign, and again three years later when, relying on Egypt, he revolted from Nebuchadnezzar, is here referred to (Jer 46:2; Kg2 24:1-2).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Upon him - Rather, against him. Israel has run away from his master’s house, but only to find himself exposed to the beasts of prey in the wilderness. They made his land waste - The prophet points to the actual results of Israel’s until the multiplication of wild beasts rendered human life unsafe 2 Kings 17:25, but the Assyrian invasions had reduced Judaea to almost as sad a state. Burned - Others render, “leveled to the ground.” return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lions - Understand the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, called lions from their fierceness, and young from their strength. Yelled - Noting the terrible voice that the lion puts forth, either in seizing the prey, or devouring it. Jeremiah 2:16”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:15 Jeremiah portrays the Assyrians who destroyed the northern kingdom (2 Kgs 17:5-23; Nah 2:11-12) as lions.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“young lions: Jer 5:6, Jer 25:30, Jer 50:17; Jdg 14:5; Job 4:10; Psa 57:4; Isa 5:29; Hos 5:14; Hos 11:10, Hos 13:7, Hos 13:8; Amo 3:4, Amo 3:8, Amo 3:12; Nah 2:11 yelled: Heb. gave out their voice they made: Isa 1:7, Isa 24:1; Eze 5:14 his cities: Jer 4:7, Jer 9:11, Jer 26:9, Jer 33:10, Jer 34:22, Jer 44:22; Isa 5:9, Isa 6:11; Zep 1:18, Zep 2:5; Zep 3:6 Jeremiah 2:16”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 2 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification