Jeremiah 15:1-2
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God's statement highlights the unparalleled depth of Israel's sin by presenting a hypothetical scenario: even the most powerful intercessors, Moses and Samuel, standing before God, couldn't change His mind. This isn't just about their prayer failing, but about God's heart being irrevocably turned away due to the people's persistent rebellion.
Then the LORD said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go! And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence, and those who are for the sword, to the sword; those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jeremiah's intercession for the people, God declares that even the prayers of revered figures like Moses and Samuel would be powerless to change His mind toward them. He instructs Jeremiah to dismiss the people from His presence, as their impending judgment is absolute and irreversible due to their persistent sinfulness. This rejection of intercession sets the stage for God to outline the severe punishments awaiting the nation.
Imagine the most powerful intercessors, figures who once turned God's heart. What if even their prayers were met with a definitive 'no'?
The Lord uses Moses and Samuel, two giants of faith and intercession in Israel's history, to illustrate a critical point. Moses, who pleaded for the people after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32), and Samuel, who cried out to God to spare Israel from the Philistines (1 Samuel 7), were incredibly effective in turning God's judgment aside.
However, in Jeremiah 15:1, God declares that even if these esteemed figures stood before Him now, His heart would not turn toward His people. This isn't to diminish their power or God's willingness to hear prayer in general. Instead, it signifies that the people of Judah have reached a point where their rebellion and sin are so profound that the usual avenues of mercy are closed. There's a limit to how many times God can avert judgment for persistent, unrepentant sin. Their sin had become so entrenched that even the prayers of those closest to God, those who had previously succeeded in interceding, would be in vain.
God's instructions to Jeremiah are stark: 'Send them out of my sight, and let them go!' What does this forceful command reveal about God's perspective on His people?
The phrase 'cast them out of my sight' or 'send them out of my presence' is a powerful indicator of divine rejection. It’s not just about sending them into exile; it's about God withdrawing His favor and presence from them. They have so defiled themselves and broken the covenant that they are no longer fit to be in God's presence.
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Jeremiah is commanded to physically send them away, signifying that God is done striving with them. They are to be removed from His view, meaning He will no longer look upon them with favor or protection. This is a severe judgment, an ultimate expression of God's displeasure with their persistent disobedience. The commentary suggests this is akin to sending away a divorced wife, highlighting the broken relationship.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal covenant name of the one true God of Israel, revealing His existence, holiness, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name He revealed to Moses at the burning bush.
Mosheh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The primary mediator of the Old Covenant, known for his frequent intercession on behalf of the rebellious Israelites before God.
Shemu'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
A prophet, priest, and the last of the Judges, recognized for his powerful prayers and standing before God on behalf of the people.
deber · Hebrew Noun
A widespread and often fatal disease or infectious plague, frequently used in the Bible as an instrument of divine judgment.
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of war used for cutting or thrusting; symbolically, it often represents divine judgment, war, and the execution of God's wrath against sin.
ra'ab · Hebrew Noun
Severe scarcity of food, often resulting from drought, war, or divine judgment; it is a profound form of physical suffering and deprivation.
shebi · Hebrew Noun
The state of being held by an enemy or taken away into a foreign land; in the Old Testament, it is frequently the consequence of national apostasy and divine discipline.
This verse highlights the utter finality of God's judgment on Judah. By invoking the powerful intercessions of Moses and Samuel, figures historically renowned for saving Israel, God emphasizes that the people's sins have reached a point where even the most effective prayers can no longer turn away His wrath.
c. 1400 BC
Moses Intercedes for Israel
During the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings, Moses repeatedly interceded with God on behalf of the Israelites, pleading for their forgiveness and sparing them from destruction.
c. 1100 BC
Samuel Intercedes for Israel
Samuel famously prayed for Israel, particularly during times of war and national distress, and God heard his petitions, granting them deliverance.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, begins his campaigns against Judah, resulting in the first major deportation of Judeans, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Jerusalem is besieged again, and King Jehoiachin, along with thousands more of the population, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, leading to the final and largest deportation of the remaining population, marking the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 586 BC
Jeremiah's Intercession Rejected
Jeremiah, witnessing the ongoing destruction and despair, continues to pray for his people, but God declares that even the prayers of figures like Moses and Samuel would be insufficient to avert judgment due to Judah's deep-seated sin and rebellion.
This passage shows Moses interceding for Israel after they made the golden calf, highlighting his significant role as a mediator, which makes God's rejection of intercession in Jeremiah's time even more striking.
1 Samuel 7:9-10Here, Samuel offers a burnt offering and cries out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answers him, demonstrating his powerful intercessory prayer. This further emphasizes the gravity of God's statement that even his prayers would be in vain.
Ezekiel 14:14Ezekiel also mentions figures of great righteousness, Noah, Daniel, and Job, stating that even they could only save themselves by their righteousness, not their children. This parallels Jeremiah 15:1 by showing God's judgment is so severe that even the most righteous intercessors are powerless to save others.
Romans 8:34Paul speaks about Christ's present intercession for believers, emphasizing His unique and eternal role as advocate. This contrasts with the ineffectiveness of human intercession mentioned in Jeremiah, underscoring Christ's supreme and unceasing mediation.
James 5:16James states that 'the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working,' referencing Elijah's prayers. While this highlights the general efficacy of prayer, Jeremiah 15:1 presents a specific, dire situation where even the most powerful prayers are insufficient due to the depth of the people's sin.
barnesJeremiah 15:1: "Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth."
Cast them out of my sight - Rather, "send them out of My presence, and let them go away." The prophet is to dismiss them, because their mediators, Moses and Samuel, whose intercession had been accepted in old times (marginal references), would intercede now in vain.
clarkeJeremiah 15:1: "Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth."
Though Moses and Samuel - Moses had often supplicated for the people; and in consequence they were spared. See Exodus 32:11 and following verses, Numbers 14:13 . Samuel also had prayed for the people, and God heard him, 1 Samuel 7:9 ; but if these or the most holy men were now to supplicate for this people, he would…
God's statement highlights the unparalleled depth of Israel's sin by presenting a hypothetical scenario: even the most powerful intercessors, Moses and Samuel, standing before God, couldn't change His mind. This isn't just about their prayer failing, but about God's heart being irrevocably turned away due to the people's persistent rebellion.
Following Jeremiah's intercession for the people, God declares that even the prayers of revered figures like Moses and Samuel would be powerless to change His mind toward them. He instructs Jeremiah to dismiss the people from His presence, as their impending judgment is absolute and irreversible due to their persistent sinfulness. This rejection of intercession sets the stage for God to outline the severe punishments awaiting the nation.
Following Jeremiah's intercession for the people, God declares that even the prayers of revered figures like Moses and Samuel would be powerless to change His mind toward them. He instructs Jeremiah to dismiss the people from His presence, as their impending judgment is absolute and irreversible due to their persistent sinfulness. This rejection of intercession sets the stage for God to outline the severe punishments awaiting the nation.
"Then the LORD said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my heart would not turn toward this people. Send them out of my sight, and let them go! And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘Thus says t…" — God's statement highlights the unparalleled depth of Israel's sin by presenting a hypothetical scenario: even the most powerful intercessors, Moses and Samuel, standing before God, couldn't change Hi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
