Jeremiah 13:23 Meaning
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Context Explained
21What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
22And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
23Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
24Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
25This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Key Themes
Related Cross References
Romans 7:18
Both verses address the struggle with sinful nature and the difficulty of change.
2 Peter 2:22
This verse reflects on the inability to change one's nature, similar to Jeremiah's metaphor.
Ezekiel 36:26
Ezekiel speaks of God giving a new heart, contrasting the hopelessness expressed in Jeremiah.
Source: Jeremiah 13:23