O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.

JEREMIAH 15:15KJV
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Jeremiah 15:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 15:15 mean?

Jeremiah 15:15 records Jeremiah asking the LORD to pay attention to his suffering and protect him from those pursuing him. Jeremiah asks God to act against his persecutors, while pointing out that he has endured insults because of his loyalty to God.

The plea follows Jeremiah’s complaint about his painful position in verse 10. “Take me not away in thy longsuffering” asks God not to let Jeremiah die while God is being patient. Jeremiah’s words show the urgency he feels as he waits for help.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 15:15

  • “visit” — פָּקַד (paqad): This word can mean to attend to someone or take action concerning them. Here Jeremiah asks for more than a visit; he asks God to turn his attention toward him and act.
  • “revenge” — נָקַם (naqam): This word carries the sense of taking vengeance or responding to a wrong. Jeremiah asks God to deal with the people pursuing him.
  • “rebuke” — חֶרְפָּה (cherpah): This word can mean disgrace or insult. Jeremiah describes the shame he has had to bear because of his association with the LORD.

Why Jeremiah 15:15 matters

  • Jeremiah speaks directly to God about being treated badly for God’s sake. The phrase “for thy sake I have suffered rebuke” connects his suffering with his service to the LORD.
  • Jeremiah’s request for action sits alongside his appeal to God’s patience. “In thy longsuffering” makes the timing of help part of his concern.
  • The verse is part of an exchange, not the end of Jeremiah’s speech. In verse 18, he continues to ask why his pain lasts, before the LORD answers him in verse 19.

Where else these words appear

“longsuffering” Hebrew H750 · used in 15 verses

  • Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
  • Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

“revenge” Hebrew H5358 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
  • Jeremiah 5:9 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

“rebuke” Hebrew H2781 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
  • Psalms 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
  • Jeremiah 42:18 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

“persecutors” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
  • Psalms 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.