Jeremiah 7:17

17 Don't you see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Jeremiah 7:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 7:17

Seest thou not what they do in the cities Judah
Not in one city only, but in all of and particularly the chief of them; as follows: and in the streets of Jerusalem?
these words, with what is said next, show the reason why the prophet was forbid to pray for this people, and the Lord was so provoked with them as to cast them out of his sight; and he appeals to the prophet, and to what he saw, or which he might see; for what was done was done not in secret, but openly, in the very streets of the city; by which he might be sufficiently convinced it was but just with God to do what he determined to do with them.

Jeremiah 7:17 In-Context

15 I will drive you out of my sight as I drove out your relatives, the people of Israel. I, the Lord, have spoken."

16 The Lord said, "Jeremiah, do not pray for these people. Do not cry or pray on their behalf; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

17 Don't you see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

18 The children gather firewood, the men build fires, and the women mix dough to bake cakes for the goddess they call the Queen of Heaven. They also pour out offerings of wine to other gods, in order to hurt me.

19 But am I really the one they are hurting? No, they are hurting themselves and bringing shame on themselves.