Jeremiah 5:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD's.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God commands destruction of Jerusalem's defensive structures but not complete annihilation, as the city belongs to Him.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:10
God orders military destruction of Jerusalem's defenses while preserving the people, as they remain His covenant people.
What Does Jeremiah 5:10 Mean?
God addresses an army (historically, this refers to invaders like the Babylonians, though God works through them) to assault Jerusalem's walls and fortifications. The command is specific: destroy the protective structures—the walls and battlements—but do not make a full end of the people. This partial destruction serves a redemptive purpose: to humble and discipline rather than to obliterate.
The phrase 'for they are not the LORD's' appears paradoxical—yet it reveals mercy within judgment. The city and its structures belong to God; judgment falls on them precisely because they are His covenant people who have spurned His rule. To completely destroy them would be to abandon His covenant relationship. The limitation of judgment—'make not a full end'—preserves the possibility of eventual restoration and shows that God's ultimate purpose is restoration, not elimination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:10
What does Jeremiah 5:10 mean?
God commands destruction of Jerusalem's defensive structures but not complete annihilation, as the city belongs to Him.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:10?
God orders military destruction of Jerusalem's defenses while preserving the people, as they remain His covenant people.