THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
I will disperse them like chaff. Observe how it demonstrates both agility and power, yearning to carry out judgment.
Jeremiah 13:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And I will scatter them as stubble, which is carried away by the wind in the desert.
וַאֲפִיצֵ֖ם כְּקַשׁ־עוֹבֵ֑ר לְר֖וּחַ מִדְבָּֽר׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
I will disperse them like straw blown by the wind in the desert. This is your destiny and part of your measure from Me, says the Lord (or a consequence of your disobedience to Me). Since they have indulged in evil to such an extent that they could not alter their essence—this is not due to the Creator's fault, but rather their own attachment to sin—they will be scattered in the wilderness like straw in the wind, as it is written elsewhere: like the chaff which the wind drives away (Psalm 1:4). This specifically refers to Jerusalem, which has chosen for itself this fate and this portion, fully aware of its disobedience, which led it to reject God. For by the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Matthew 7).
Read more (162 words)
Because you have forgotten Me and placed your trust in falsehood, I will expose your shame and uncover your rear, revealing your disgrace, your unfaithfulness, and the offense of your illicit desires. The scattering of Jerusalem occurred because it turned away from God and placed its hope in lies. Whoever depends on worldly things in place of God forgets Him; thus, his shame is made evident. What should be behind is brought to the forefront, so that he may recognize his wrongs, and all may witness his indignity. When speaking of your unfaithfulness, He emphasizes both desire and the madness of passion, much like the wild frenzy of horses, as Virgil describes: "Hippomania, as the shepherds call it, with deadly poison that seeps from a hidden wound." Let us pray to Jesus that neither in this life nor in the life to come will our shame be revealed, but rather that He would eradicate all our unrighteousness and uncover all our transgressions.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ps 1:4Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.
- Lev 26:33And I will scatter you among the Gentiles: and I will draw out the sword after you. And your land shall be desert, and your cities destroyed.
- Hos 13:3Therefore they shall be as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the dust that is driven with a whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
- Ezek 5:2A third part thou shalt burn with fire in the midst of the city, according to the fulfilling of the days of the siege: and thou shalt take a third part, and cut it in pieces with the knife all round about: and the other third part thou shalt scatter in the wind, and I will draw out the sword after them.
- Ezek 5:12A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and shall be consumed with famine in the midst of thee: and a third part of thee shall fall by the sword round about thee: and a third part of thee will I scatter into every wind, and I will draw out a sword after them.
- Jer 4:11At that time it shall be said to this people, and to Jerusalem: A burning wind is in the ways that are in the desert of the way of the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse.
- Jer 4:12A full wind from these places shall come to me: and now I will speak my judgments with them.
- Isa 41:16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, in the Holy One of Israel thou shalt be joyful.