Jeremiah 1:16

16 "I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands.[a]

Jeremiah 1:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 1:16

And I will utter my judgments against them
Not against the kingdoms of the north, but against the people of the Jews. The sense is, that God would enter into judgment with this people, and pass sentence upon them, and execute it: touching all their wickedness;
or on account of all their sins and transgressions hereafter mentioned: who have forsaken me.
The Targum is, "who have forsaken my worship"; for to forsake the public worship of God, attendance on his word and ordinances, or to forsake the assembling of themselves together for such a purpose, is to forsake the Lord himself, the fountain of living waters; and this is to forsake their own mercies: and have burnt incense to other gods;
to the idols of the Gentile, as the Targum explains it; to Baal, to the queen of heaven, and to others: and worshipped the works of their own hands:
idols of gold, silver, brass, and wood, which their own hands formed and carved, and which argued great stupidity and ignorance.

Jeremiah 1:16 In-Context

14 Then the Lord said to me, "Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.
15 Indeed, I am about to summon all the clans and kingdoms of the north." [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. They will come, and each [king] will set up his throne at the entrance to Jerusalem's gates. They will attack all her surrounding walls and all the other cities of Judah.
16 "I will pronounce My judgments against them for all the evil they did when they abandoned Me to burn incense to other gods and to worship the works of their own hands.
17 "Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them.
18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land-against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Jr 7:17-20; 44:3-6; Dt 29:25-27
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