Jeremiah 9:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will sustain the people through judgment—their only nourishment will be bitterness and poison.
The Context of Jeremiah 9:15
The form that God's judgment will take: deprivation and bitter suffering.
What Does Jeremiah 9:15 Mean?
Wormwood and gall are bitter substances used metaphorically for suffering and judgment. The irony is sharp: God will 'feed' them, providing sustenance, but that sustenance is punishment. They chose spiritual emptiness and chose to follow their own desires; God's judgment gives them exactly what they have chosen—deprivation of truth and goodness.
This judgment is measured: He feeds them (they are not annihilated) but only with bitterness. It is a judgment that includes the possibility of repentance—they remain alive, conscious, suffering the consequences of their choice.
Jeremiah 9:15 in the Original Language
wormwood (לַעֲנָה, la'anah) — a bitter herb; symbol of curse and affliction in Hebrew scripture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 9:15
What does Jeremiah 9:15 mean?
God will sustain the people through judgment—their only nourishment will be bitterness and poison.
What is the context of Jeremiah 9:15?
The form that God's judgment will take: deprivation and bitter suffering.