Jeremiah 15:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 15:5 mean?

Jeremiah 15:5 describes how Jerusalem will be left without comfort or sympathy; no one will feel sorry for the city, mourn its troubles, or even stop to ask about its well-being. The verse paints a picture of total abandonment and isolation as a consequence of the people's actions.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Jerusalem, warning them of the coming judgment because of their persistent unfaithfulness. The language emphasizes that the disaster will be so complete that not even outsiders will show the basic human kindness of pity or concern, highlighting how severe the consequences will be.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 15:5

• pity (חָמַל, ḥāmal): This word often means to show compassion or spare someone. Its use here underlines that Jerusalem will not receive even the smallest gesture of mercy from others.
• bemoan (נָדַד, nādad): This word can mean to lament or mourn. The verse stresses that no one will grieve over Jerusalem’s suffering, which would have been a normal response to disaster.
• aside (סוּר, sūr): This word means to turn aside or deviate. The idea is that no one will even take the time to go out of their way to check on Jerusalem.
• ask (שָׁאַל, shāʾal): This word means to inquire or ask about someone’s welfare. The lack of even a simple question about Jerusalem’s condition shows the depth of its isolation.
• doest (שָׁלוֹם, shālôm): This word is often translated as “peace” or “well-being.” Here, it refers to asking about the city's welfare, highlighting that no one will care about how Jerusalem is doing.

Why Jeremiah 15:5 matters

• Jeremiah 15:5 clarifies that the coming judgment is not just physical destruction but also social and emotional abandonment, making the warning even more severe.
• The verse helps the reader see how deep the consequences of persistent disobedience can go—beyond loss of land or freedom, to the loss of compassion and community from others.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the seriousness of Jerusalem’s situation and the complete reversal from being a city cared for by God and others, to one that is utterly forsaken.