Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.

JEREMIAH 15:19KJV
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Jeremiah 15:19 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 15:19 mean?

Jeremiah 15:19 records God telling Jeremiah that if he turns back to God, God will restore him and let him serve as His spokesman, but Jeremiah must separate what is valuable from what is worthless and not compromise with those who oppose him. The verse emphasizes that Jeremiah should remain faithful, letting others come to him rather than him going along with them.

Jeremiah is struggling with discouragement and feeling rejected, and God responds by calling him to return (repent) and promising renewed purpose. God’s words highlight the need for Jeremiah to discern between what is precious (God’s truth) and what is vile (falsehood or compromise), making Jeremiah a true mouthpiece for God. The situation is personal and direct: God is reassuring Jeremiah of his calling, but also challenging him to stay true to God’s standards, even when others pressure him.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 15:19

  • “Return” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word appears several times in the verse and means to turn back or repent. God is inviting Jeremiah to turn back to Him, not just physically but in heart and loyalty.
  • “Precious” (יָקָר, yaqar) and “vile” (זָלָל, zalal): These words contrast what is valuable with what is worthless or contemptible. God is telling Jeremiah to carefully separate truth from error, showing that not everything he hears or feels is worth holding onto.
  • “Mouth” (פֶּה, peh): God says Jeremiah will be “as my mouth,” meaning Jeremiah will speak God’s words faithfully. This is a strong affirmation of Jeremiah’s prophetic role, but only if he remains true to God’s message.

Why Jeremiah 15:19 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that even prophets like Jeremiah can struggle and need to realign themselves with God’s calling, showing that spiritual leaders are not immune to doubt or discouragement.
  • The emphasis on separating the precious from the vile highlights the importance of discernment, especially for those who speak for God or represent Him to others.
  • Jeremiah 15:19 connects to the wider passage by showing God’s patience and willingness to restore those who return to Him, but also His insistence that His messengers must not compromise with the world’s values.

Where else these words appear

“vile” Hebrew H2151 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 21:20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
  • Proverbs 23:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
  • Isaiah 64:1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

“precious” Hebrew H3368 · used in 36 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:6 And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
  • Proverbs 3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.