Jeremiah 15:5

For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?

Jeremiah 15:5 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of a divine pronouncement of judgment upon Jerusalem delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. The preceding line states that the people will be removed into all kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem. The following line declares that the Lord has stretched out His hand against them and will destroy them because they have forsaken Him and gone backward. Together these lines show that Jeremiah 15:5 functions within an immediate sequence of judgment and warning.

Meaning

The verse uses three rhetorical questions to emphasize the totality of Jerusalem’s coming isolation. The first question, “For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem?” indicates that no one will show compassion or mercy to the city’s inhabitants. The second, “or who shall bemoan thee?” means no one will grieve, mourn, or offer condolences for the city’s suffering. The third, “or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest?” pictures a traveler who will not even take a small detour or pause to inquire about the city’s welfare. These clauses belong together and should govern the explanation of the verse.

The underlying reason for this complete lack of sympathy is the severity of Jerusalem’s sins, which are so aggravated and deserving of punishment that no one will feel compassion. The city is portrayed as forsaken and unworthy of concern. This judgment is a direct result of the people’s unrepentant hearts and disregard for God’s commands. The rhetorical nature of the questions underscores the absolute certainty of this isolation; there is no one who will show kindness.

Biblical connections

The verse highlights the stark reality that sin, when left unrepented, leads to a state of being beyond the reach of human sympathy. This condition is both a consequence of divine judgment and a reflection of the moral corruption that has made the city an object of scorn rather than pity.

Application

Readers should listen first for the claim the verse actually makes, then consider the response the surrounding passage calls for—such as repentance, faith, endurance, hope, or worship—without claiming more than the text establishes. Careful attention to the actual words provides a sound foundation for interpretation and response.

Reflection

Prophetic Scripture joins God’s authority with a concrete address to people and events. A faithful study therefore keeps the authentic wording in view and follows the emphasis established by the prophetic passage itself. Taken within its immediate setting, Jeremiah 15:5 has a clear place in the passage.