And I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights a chilling truth: the ripple effects of sin can extend far beyond the perpetrator's lifetime. God declares that the profound wickedness of King Manasseh, a descendant of the godly Hezekiah, will be the very reason for his people's future scattering and horror among all nations, showing that the consequences of deep corruption can echo for generations.
And I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this passage, God is explaining to Jeremiah the profound and lasting consequences of Judah's deep-seated sinfulness. The prophet has just pleaded for the people's lives, but God declares that the nation's rebellion, particularly stemming from the wicked reign of King Manasseh, has reached a point where judgment is inevitable. This verse points to Manasseh’s idolatry and bloodshed as the root cause for the impending scattering and horror that will befall the nation across all kingdoms.
Why does God pinpoint one king's actions from decades ago as the reason for this sweeping judgment?
This verse isn't just about a future exile; it's about the lasting impact of sin. Manasseh, son of the godly Hezekiah, plunged Judah into horrific idolatry and extreme violence, even in the sacred city of Jerusalem. His reign was so wicked that decades later, during Jeremiah's time, the stench of his sin still permeated the land, making them 'a horror' and an object of dread to other nations. This wasn't just a personal failing; it was a collective sin that corrupted the whole nation and invited divine judgment.
What does it mean for Israel to be 'removed into all the kingdoms of the earth'?
The prophecy of being 'removed into all the kingdoms of the earth' speaks to a profound and enduring scattering of the Jewish people. This wasn't limited to the Babylonian exile, but foreshadowed their dispersion throughout the world in subsequent captivities, most notably by the Romans. The verse highlights a unique paradox: they would be scattered among all nations, yet remain distinct, not fully assimilated or forming a new homeland. This ongoing dispersion serves as a 'standing monument' to God's justice and truth, a testament to the consequences of national sin.
The word 'horror' in this verse carries a specific, unsettling meaning. What does it really convey?
The Hebrew word translated as 'horror' here doesn't just mean being disliked; it implies being a source of dread, shock, and trembling. The people of Judah were to become an object lesson for the world, a terrifying example of what happens when a nation turns its back on God. Their judgment would be so severe and their dispersion so complete that other nations would look upon them with awe and fear, recognizing the undeniable power and justice of the God they had forsaken. It's a stark picture of divine judgment meant to be seen and understood.
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Understand the original words
zeva'ah · Hebrew Noun
An object of terror, trembling, or shaking; often used to describe the reaction of nations when seeing the consequences of God's judgment upon a people.
Menashsheh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A king of Judah remembered for his extreme wickedness, idolatry, and shedding of innocent blood, which led to the irreversible judgment upon Jerusalem.
Yerushalayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
The holy city of God, chosen as the place for His temple, but also the site of rebellion and historical judgment due to the nation's persistent unfaithfulness.
The deep-seated, widespread sin of King Manasseh, even though he himself repented, created a spiritual rot that ultimately led to Judah's destruction and exile, serving as a stark warning that national sin carries devastating consequences across generations.
c. 705-642 BC
Reign of Manasseh
Manasseh reigned as king of Judah, succeeding his father Hezekiah. His rule was marked by extreme idolatry, the re-establishment of pagan altars in the Temple, and the shedding of innocent blood, leading Judah into grievous sin.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of Josiah
Josiah, Manasseh's grandson, instituted a sweeping religious reformation after the Book of the Law was discovered in the Temple. Despite this, the deep-seated corruption and idolatry from Manasseh's era continued to incur God's wrath.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
Josiah was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo, a tragic event that ended his reforming reign and plunged Judah back into political instability and spiritual decline.
c. 609-598 BC
Reign of Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, proved to be a wicked ruler who reversed many of Josiah's reforms. This period saw increasing pressure from Babylon and spiritual apostasy, setting the stage for further judgment.
c. 598-597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the Judean elite were exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, fulfilling prophecies of judgment.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Jeremiah prophesies during Jehoiakim's reign
Jeremiah delivers this prophecy, highlighting that the deep-seated corruption initiated by Manasseh, despite subsequent reforms and personal repentance, has led to God's judgment and the impending exile.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. This event was the ultimate consequence of Judah's persistent sin and disobedience.
This passage details the extreme wickedness of Manasseh, explicitly mentioning his idolatry and the innocent blood he shed, which directly explains the specific sins Jeremiah refers to in verse 4.
Deuteronomy 28:25This verse prophesies that Israel would be 'shaken' and become an 'object of horror' among all nations if they disobeyed God, directly paralleling the curse Jeremiah pronounces in verse 4.
Jeremiah 24:9This passage uses similar language, stating God will make the exiles 'a reproach and a byword, and an object of execration, and a curse' in all places where He scatters them, highlighting the theme of shame and horror resulting from disobedience.
Exodus 20:5This verse in the Ten Commandments speaks of God visiting the iniquity of fathers on children, which provides theological context for how the sins of Manasseh could lead to punishment for future generations.
Ezekiel 36:18-19This passage describes how God scattered His people among the nations because of their actions, and how He would then vindicate His holy name when He brought them back, mirroring the consequence and divine justice seen in Jeremiah 15:4.
clarkeJeremiah 15:4: "And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem."
I will cause them to be removed into an kingdoms of the earth - This seems to have respect to the succeeding state of the Jews in their different generations; and never was there a prophecy more literally fulfilled; and it is still a standing monument of Divine truth. Let infidelity cast its eyes on the scattered Jews who…
pooleJeremiah 15:4: "And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem."
Though the body of the people were removed into Babylon, yet as it is more than probable that many of them fled into other countries to save themselves, so there is no doubt but the king of Babylon removed them into several kingdoms belonging to his large empire. What Manasseh did may be read 2 Kings 21:11,16 , He did wic…
This verse highlights a chilling truth: the ripple effects of sin can extend far beyond the perpetrator's lifetime. God declares that the profound wickedness of King Manasseh, a descendant of the godly Hezekiah, will be the very reason for his people's future scattering and horror among all nations, showing that the consequences of deep corruption can echo for generations.
In this passage, God is explaining to Jeremiah the profound and lasting consequences of Judah's deep-seated sinfulness. The prophet has just pleaded for the people's lives, but God declares that the nation's rebellion, particularly stemming from the wicked reign of King Manasseh, has reached a point where judgment is inevitable. This verse points to Manasseh’s idolatry and bloodshed as the root cause for the impending scattering and horror that will befall the nation across all kingdoms.
In this passage, God is explaining to Jeremiah the profound and lasting consequences of Judah's deep-seated sinfulness. The prophet has just pleaded for the people's lives, but God declares that the nation's rebellion, particularly stemming from the wicked reign of King Manasseh, has reached a point where judgment is inevitable. This verse points to Manasseh’s idolatry and bloodshed as the root cause for the impending scattering and horror that will befall the nation across all kingdoms.
"And I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem." — This verse highlights a chilling truth: the ripple effects of sin can extend far beyond the perpetrator's lifetime. God declares that the profound wickedness of King Manasseh, a descendant of the god…
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Last reviewed October 2026