Jeremiah 5:15

¹³ The prophets are but wind, for the word is not in them. So let their own predictions befall them.”

¹⁴ Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.

Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

¹⁶ Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men.

¹⁷ They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.
KJV: Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
WEB: Behold, I will bring a nation on you from far away, house of Israel,” says the LORD. “It is a mighty nation. It is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you don’t know and don’t understand what they say.
ASV: Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
DARBY: Behold, I bring a nation upon you from afar, house of Israel, saith Jehovah: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest thou what they say.
BLB: Behold, I am bringing against you⁺ a nation from afar, O house of Israel,” a declaration of YHWH. “It [is] an enduring nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation [whose] tongue you do not know, and you do not understand what they say.

ÅB: Se, jeg lar et folk fra det fjerne komme over dere, Israels hus, sier Herren; et kraftig folk er det, et folk fra eldgammel tid, et folk hvis tungemål du ikke kjenner, og hvis tale du ikke skjønner.
OTB: Se, jeg bringer en nasjon mot deg fra det fjerne, Israels hus,” erklærer Herren. “Det er en gammel og varig nasjon, et folk hvis språk du ikke kjenner, og du kan ikke forstå hva de sier.
B1930: Se, jeg lar et folk fra det fjerne komme over eder, Israels hus, sier Herren; et kraftig folk er det, et folk fra eldgammel tid, et folk hvis tungemål du ikke kjenner, og hvis tale du ikke skjønner.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Deuteronomy 28:49
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,
Read in context
Jeremiah 4:16
Warn the nations now! Proclaim to Jerusalem: “A besieging army comes from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah.
Read in context
Isaiah 33:19
You will no longer see the insolent, a people whose speech is unintelligible, who stammer in a language you cannot understand.
Read in context
Isaiah 28:11
Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
Read in context
Isaiah 5:26
He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come!
Read in context
Jeremiah 25:9
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.
Read in context
Jeremiah 1:15
For I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north,” declares the LORD. “Their kings will come and set up their thrones at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah.
Read in context
Habakkuk 1:5–10
“Look at the nations and observe— be utterly astounded! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe even if someone told you.
Read in context