Jeremiah 15:8
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the seas
This phrase is a powerful hyperbole, emphasizing the vast number of widows that will result from the coming judgment. The imagery of "sand of the seas" is often used in Scripture to denote something innumerable (Genesis 22:17). In the Hebrew context, widows were particularly vulnerable and represented a significant social concern, as they often lacked protection and provision. This statement underscores the severity of the impending disaster and the profound societal impact it would have. The use of "widows" here also highlights the loss of life and the breakdown of family structures, which were central to the community's stability.

At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of young men
"At midday" suggests an unexpected and brazen attack, as midday was typically a time of rest and safety. The "destroyer" refers to an invading force or calamity, often seen as an instrument of divine judgment. The "mothers of young men" signifies the loss of the next generation, the hope and future of the nation. In ancient Near Eastern culture, young men were vital for defense, labor, and carrying on the family lineage. This phrase conveys the suddenness and totality of the destruction, leaving families bereft and communities defenseless.

I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay
The word "suddenly" indicates the swift and unexpected nature of the judgment. "Anguish" and "dismay" describe the emotional and psychological turmoil that will accompany the physical destruction. In the Hebrew, "anguish" (צָרָה, tsarah) often refers to distress or trouble, while "dismay" (בְּהָלָה, behalah) suggests panic or terror. This reflects the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting not just the physical realm but also the hearts and minds of the people. The verse as a whole serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the seriousness with which He addresses sin and rebellion.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Widows
In this context, the widows represent the aftermath of judgment and war, highlighting the loss and suffering due to the absence of husbands and sons.

2. Destroyer
This refers to the invading forces or calamities that God allows as instruments of His judgment against the people of Judah for their disobedience.

3. Mothers of Young Men
These mothers symbolize the generational impact of judgment, as they experience the loss of their sons, who are often the hope and future of families.

4. Noonday
This time of day signifies an unexpected and sudden attack, emphasizing the surprise and intensity of the judgment.

5. Anguish and Dismay
These emotions reflect the deep sorrow and confusion experienced by the people as a result of the divine judgment.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
God's judgment is a direct response to persistent disobedience and sin. The increase of widows serves as a stark reminder of the cost of turning away from God.

The Suddenness of God's Judgment
The imagery of a destroyer at noonday teaches us about the unexpected nature of divine judgment. We must live in readiness and obedience, aware that God's timing is not ours.

Generational Impact of Sin
The loss experienced by the mothers of young men highlights how sin and its consequences can affect multiple generations. Our actions today can have lasting effects on our families and communities.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
Even in judgment, God remains sovereign. The events described are under His control, reminding us of His ultimate authority over nations and individuals.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of widows in Jeremiah 15:8 help us understand the severity of God's judgment?

2. In what ways can we see the suddenness of God's judgment in our own lives or in the world today?

3. How can understanding the generational impact of sin influence our decisions and actions as Christians?

4. What other biblical examples illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty in judgment, and how do they reinforce the message of Jeremiah 15:8?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 15:8 to ensure we are living in obedience and readiness for God's timing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 47:9
This verse also speaks of sudden calamity and loss, drawing a parallel to the unexpected nature of God's judgment.

Lamentations 1:1
The desolation and loneliness of Jerusalem are depicted, similar to the imagery of numerous widows in Jeremiah 15:8.

Deuteronomy 28:62
This passage outlines the consequences of disobedience, including the reduction of the population, which connects to the increase of widows in Jeremiah 15:8.
Fearful Aspects of the Divine CharacterS. Conway Jeremiah 15:1-9
God Forsaking and God ForsakenW. Whale.Jeremiah 15:6-9
How Men Forsake GodD. L. Moody.Jeremiah 15:6-9
People
Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Samuel
Places
Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Anguish, Bring, Cause, Caused, Causing, Chosen, Destroyer, Dismay, Fall, Fears, Heat, Increased, Makes, Midday, Mothers, Multiplied, Noon, Noonday, Noon-day, Numerous, Pain, Sand, Seas, Spoiler, Suddenly, Terror, Terrors, Trouble, Waste, Widows, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 15:8

     4360   sand
     4960   noon
     5295   destruction
     5743   widows

Jeremiah 15:5-9

     5890   insecurity

Library
The Northern Iron and the Steel
That being the literal meaning, we shall draw from our text a general principle. It is a proverbial expression, no doubt, and applicable to many other matters besides that of the prophet and the Jews; it is clearly meant to show, that in order to achieve a purpose, there must be a sufficient force. The weaker cannot overcome the stronger. In a general clash the firmest will win. There must be sufficient firmness in the instrument or the work cannot be done. You cannot cut granite with a pen-knife,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Hidden Manna
He was eminently the man that had seen affliction, and yet in the midst of a wilderness of woe he discovered fountains of joy. Like that Blessed One, who was "the man of sorrows" and the acquaintance of grief, he sometimes rejoiced in spirit and blessed the name of the Lord. It will be both interesting and profitable to note the root of the joy which grew up in Jeremiah's heart, like a lone palm tree in the desert. Here was its substance. It was an intense delight to him to have been chosen to the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown,
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

General Notes by the American Editor
1. The whole subject of the Apocalypse is so treated, [2318] in the Speaker's Commentary, as to elucidate many questions suggested by the primitive commentators of this series, and to furnish the latest judgments of critics on the subject. It is so immense a matter, however, as to render annotations on patristic specialties impossible in a work like this. Every reader must feel how apposite is the sententious saying of Augustine: "Apocalypsis Joannis tot sacramenta quot verba." 2. The seven spirits,
Victorinus—Commentary on the Apocolypse of the Blessed John

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 14.) Differently to be admonished are those who fear scourges, and on that account live innocently, and those who have grown so hard in wickedness as not to be corrected even by scourges. For those who fear scourges are to be told by no means to desire temporal goods as being of great account, seeing that bad men also have them, and by no means to shun present evils as intolerable, seeing they are not ignorant how for the most part good men also are touched by them. They are to be admonished
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of Man. Faith and Love Towards Christ.
2 Tim. i. 13.--"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Here is the sum of religion. Here you have a compend of the doctrine of the Scriptures. All divine truths may be reduced to these two heads,--faith and love; what we ought to believe, and what we ought to do. This is all the Scriptures teach, and this is all we have to learn. What have we to know, but what God hath revealed of himself to us? And what have we to do, but what
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Jeremiah 15:8 NIV
Jeremiah 15:8 NLT
Jeremiah 15:8 ESV
Jeremiah 15:8 NASB
Jeremiah 15:8 KJV

Jeremiah 15:8 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Jeremiah 15:7
Top of Page
Top of Page