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.

Where else these words appear

“captains” Hebrew H441 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 36:15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
  • Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
  • Psalms 144:14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.

“sorrows” Hebrew H2256 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Job 18:10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“take” Hebrew H270 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 2 Samuel 2:21 And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel would not turn aside from following of him.
  • Job 38:13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

“taught” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
  • Proverbs 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!