Jeremiah 13:16

Giue glory to the Lord your God before he cause darknesse, and before your feet stumble vpon the darke mountaines, and while yee looke for light, he turne it into the shadowe of death, and make it grosse darkenesse. Jeremiah 13:16 (KJV)

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death,

and make

it gross darkness. Jeremiah 13:16 (KJV)

The book of Jeremiah is a prophetic work in the Old Testament. Jeremiah served as a prophet to the nation of Judah during a period of spiritual and moral decline, delivering God’s messages, warning of the consequences of disobedience, and urging the people to return to God. While Jeremiah repeatedly called the people to honor the Lord, the exact wording of the quoted passage is not found in the canonical text of Jeremiah 13:16; the genuine verses emphasize repentance and covenant fidelity rather than this specific phrasing.

Nevertheless, the passage conveys a clear call to give glory to the Lord your God. This appeal invites the people of Judah—and believers today—to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, greatness, and holiness, and to worship Him wholeheartedly. The warning that follows speaks of darkness, stumbling on “dark mountains,” and the “shadow of death,” images that represent the judgment that would follow persistent rebellion.

The symbolism of darkness and stumbling reflects the spiritual blindness and confusion that result when people turn away from God. Biblical passages use darkness as a metaphor for the loss of divine guidance; when the light of God’s truth is rejected, individuals become lost and prone to fall. The phrase “ye look for light” indicates that the people were seeking guidance in the wrong places—through idolatry, foreign alliances, and self‑reliance—rather than trusting God.

Jeremiah affirmed that God has the authority to bring both blessing and judgment based on the people’s response. Though the specific claim that God “turns their sought‑after light into the shadow of death” is a thematic interpretation, it aligns with the broader biblical theme that God can transform false hope into profound darkness when His people reject Him.

Application for today remains timeless. Believers are called to glorify God, recognize His sovereignty, and pursue His light rather than relying on worldly solutions. Vigilance in seeking God’s guidance helps prevent spiritual darkness and stumbling in our own lives, underscoring the enduring relevance of Jeremiah’s message.