What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

JEREMIAH 13:21KJV
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Jeremiah 13:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:21 mean?

Jeremiah 13:21 asks what the people will say when God punishes them, since they themselves have put foreign leaders over their own nation, and warns that their coming pain will be as severe as a woman giving birth. The verse highlights that their suffering is a direct result of their own choices and leadership decisions.

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about the consequences of turning away from God and allowing foreign influences to take control. The verse uses the image of childbirth pain to describe the intensity of the sorrow and distress they will experience. Jeremiah points out that their troubles are not random but are tied to their actions in raising up others to rule over them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:21

  • punish (פָּקַד, pāqad): This word often means to "visit" or "attend to," and in this context, it refers to God bringing judgment or consequences. It emphasizes that the coming hardship is an intentional act of holding the people accountable.
  • captains (אַלּוּף, allūph): This word can mean "chief" or "leader," and here it refers to those the people have allowed to become rulers over them. It suggests a deliberate choice to elevate outsiders or unfit leaders.
  • sorrows (חֶבֶל, ḥevel): This word literally means "cord" or "pain," and is used here to describe the intense suffering, likened to the pains of childbirth. It highlights the severity and inevitability of the coming distress.

Why Jeremiah 13:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 13:21 clarifies that the suffering Judah will face is not just from outside enemies, but is connected to their own decisions to empower foreign or unfaithful leaders.
  • The verse uses vivid imagery to show that the coming judgment will be deeply painful and unavoidable, like labor pains, making the warning more urgent and real.
  • This verse ties into the larger message of Jeremiah, where the prophet repeatedly warns that turning away from God and making poor choices in leadership leads to real and personal consequences for the nation.