The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

JEREMIAH 13:19KJV
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Jeremiah 13:19 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:19 mean?

Jeremiah 13:19 says that the cities in the southern part of Judah will be closed off, with no one able to enter or leave, because the entire people of Judah will be taken away into captivity. The verse emphasizes that this exile will be total, leaving no one behind.

Jeremiah, speaking as a prophet to the people of Judah, is warning them about the coming disaster due to their unfaithfulness to God. The "cities of the south" refers to towns in the Negev region, which would be among the last strongholds, but even they will be shut up and helpless. The verse paints a picture of complete defeat and removal, underscoring the seriousness of the coming judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:19

  • "South" (נֶגֶב, negev): This word points specifically to the southern region of Judah, an area often seen as a place of refuge. Its mention here highlights that even the most remote or secure places will not escape the coming captivity.
  • "Shut up" (סָגַר, sagar): This verb means to close or lock up. The idea is that the cities will be sealed, with no escape possible, stressing the totality of the disaster.
  • "Open" (פָּתַח, patach): The verse says "none shall open them," meaning no one will be able to rescue or free the cities. This underlines the sense of helplessness and finality.
  • "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, yehudah): Naming Judah directly makes clear that this prophecy concerns the whole nation, not just a part.
  • "Carried away captive" (גָּלָה, galah): This verb is used twice for emphasis, meaning to be exiled or removed from the land. The repetition drives home that the exile will be complete and unavoidable.

Why Jeremiah 13:19 matters

  • Jeremiah 13:19 clarifies that the coming judgment is not partial or limited to a few cities, but will affect all of Judah, including its southernmost regions.
  • The verse emphasizes the helplessness of the people—no one will be able to open the cities or prevent the exile, which highlights the seriousness of ignoring Jeremiah's warnings.
  • In the context of Jeremiah 13, this verse connects to the prophet's broader message that persistent disobedience leads to total loss, setting the stage for the rest of the chapter's warnings.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H5462 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
  • 1 Samuel 1:6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
  • Job 11:10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.

“open” Hebrew H6605 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • Nehemiah 1:6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: