15:4 all kingdoms of the earth. The worldwide scattering of the Jews was fulfilled precursively by their captivity in Babylon, and then fully after their rejection of their Christ, in A.D. 70–135.

15:4 because of Manasseh. Jeremiah was prophesying in the days of good king Josiah (Jeremiah 1:2), grandson of the wicked king Manasseh. Despite the revival under Josiah (which turned out to be somewhat superficial after he died), the terrible apostasy under Manasseh had provoked the Lord beyond the limit of His longsuffering. God promised Josiah that the judgment on Judah would not fall during his days, but in the days of his sons (see II Chronicles 34:23-28; II Kings 23:26).