Jeremiah 17:10 kjv
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:10 nkjv
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Jeremiah 17:10 niv
"I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
Jeremiah 17:10 esv
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
Jeremiah 17:10 nlt
But I, the LORD, search all hearts
and examine secret motives.
I give all people their due rewards,
according to what their actions deserve."
Jeremiah 17 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 17:10 | "I the LORD search the heart, I test the mind..." | Jer 11:20 (God's discernment of motives) |
| Proverbs 16:2 | "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes..." | Prov 21:2 (Man's perspective vs. God's) |
| Psalm 7:9 | "Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous..." | Psa 139:1-4 (God's omniscience) |
| Hebrews 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | Heb 4:13 (Nothing hidden from God) |
| Revelation 2:23 | "...and all the churches will know that I am he who searches minds and hearts..." | Rev 20:12 (Judgment based on deeds) |
| Romans 2:6 | "who will repay each according to his works..." | Rom 14:10-12 (Accountability before God) |
| Jeremiah 32:19 | "great in counsel and mighty in deed; your eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man..." | Jer 32:27 (God's omnipotence and knowledge) |
| Acts 1:24 | "and they prayed, 'Lord, you know the hearts of all men...'" | Acts 15:8 (God knows the heart) |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature...' " | 1 Sam 2:3 (God knows all actions) |
| Psalm 11:4 | "The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven..." | Psa 94:9 (God hears, God sees) |
| Proverbs 20:27 | "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts." | Prov 15:3 (God's eyes everywhere) |
| John 2:24-25 | "but Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people..." | John 7:24 (Judge with right judgment) |
| Isaiah 11:3 | "and his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. And he shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear..." | Isa 44:28 (God is a God of knowledge) |
| Genesis 18:20-21 | "Then the LORD said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great...' " | Gen 26:11 (God sees what is done) |
| Matthew 19:16 | "And behold, a man came up to him, saying, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?'" | Matt 25:31-46 (Judgment of nations) |
| 1 Corinthians 3:13 | "each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and fire will test what sort of work each one has done." | 1 Cor 4:5 (God brings hidden things to light) |
| Hebrews 12:23 | "to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all..." | Heb 12:24 (Blood of sprinkling speaks better than Abel's) |
| Romans 2:16 | "This will be on the day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." | Rom 3:23-24 (No one is righteous) |
| Jeremiah 12:3 | "But you, O LORD, know me; you see me, and test my heart’s true devotion to you." | Jer 23:20 (God's anger and purposes) |
| Jeremiah 20:12 | "But, O LORD of hosts, you test the righteous; you see the heart and the mind..." | Jer 29:11 (God's plans for peace) |
Jeremiah 17 verses
Jeremiah 17 10 Meaning
God, the LORD, is the one who searches the heart. He knows our thoughts and intentions. He repays each person according to what they have done and the ways of their actions. This is a declaration of God's perfect knowledge, His absolute sovereignty, and His righteous judgment.
Jeremiah 17 10 Context
Jeremiah 17:9-10 is part of a larger prophetic oracle within the book of Jeremiah. Chapter 17 is structured around pronouncements of judgment against Judah for their persistent sin and idolatry. The prophet has been declaring God's imminent judgment because of the people's covenant unfaithfulness and their reliance on human strength and false gods.
This particular passage follows the pronouncement against Judah's sin (v. 1-4) and contrasts the cursed state of those who trust in humans with the blessed state of those who trust in the LORD (v. 5-8). Jeremiah 17:9 states the universal depth of human corruption – "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" This verse sets the stage for God's direct declaration of His perfect ability to know and judge the hidden aspects of human nature. Historically, Judah had a pattern of outward religious observance combined with inward idolatry and reliance on foreign alliances, making God's exhaustive knowledge of their true motivations critically important.
Jeremiah 17 10 Word Analysis
- "I" (אֲנִי - 'ani): Emphatically states the subject, God, the LORD. This is the first-person singular pronoun, underscoring His direct involvement and agency.
- "the LORD" (יהוה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His relationship with His people. It carries significant theological weight.
- "search" (חֹפֵשׂ - chophēś): Means to seek, to search diligently, to explore. In this context, it implies a thorough and probing investigation, not a casual looking. God actively scrutinizes, penetrating all levels of human thought and motivation. This verb is used for searching for something lost or hidden.
- "the heart" (לֵב - lēḇ): In Hebrew thought, the heart is not just the seat of emotions, but the center of intellect, will, desire, and moral character. It represents the innermost being, the core of personality and intent.
- "I" (אֲנִי - 'ani): Repetition for emphasis on God's active role.
- "test" (בֹּחֵן - bōḥēn): Means to examine, try, prove, scrutinize, often by putting something to a test. It implies evaluating quality or character through testing. This can be like a goldsmith testing precious metals.
- "the mind" (כְּלָיֹת - kĕlāyôṯ): Literally "kidneys." In ancient Hebrew physiology, the kidneys were considered the seat of emotions, hidden thoughts, and desires. They represent the deepest, most hidden parts of a person, similar to the 'heart' but perhaps even more internal and instinctual.
- "to give" (לָתֵת - lāṯēṯ): A common verb meaning to give, to bestow, to grant. Here, it refers to God's response or requital.
- "to each" (לְאִישׁ - lĕ'îš): To each man, to every individual. It signifies a personalized and specific rendering.
- "according to" (כְּמֹ - kĕmô): In proportion to, in accordance with. This indicates that God's response is measured and precise.
- "his way" (דַרְכֹּו - darkkô): His path, his manner of life, his conduct. It encompasses the entirety of a person's actions and their underlying motivations.
- "according to" (וּכְפִי - ûḵəpî): And according to. A conjunction followed by "according to," reinforcing the measure and the basis of the retribution.
- "the fruit" (פְּרִי - pĕrî): The outcome, the result, the consequence. It signifies the natural produce or result of one's actions and character.
- "of his doing" (מַעֲשֵׂהוּ - ma‘ăśēhû): His deeds, his actions, his works. It points to the concrete manifestations of one's life and choices.
Words-group analysis:
- "search the heart...test the mind": This pair powerfully emphasizes God's comprehensive, intimate, and penetrating knowledge of human beings. It's not just outward actions that God sees, but the very core of intention, desire, and thought.
- "give to each according to his way, and according to the fruit of his doing": This phrase establishes the principle of divine retribution. God's judgment is not arbitrary but perfectly calibrated to the individual's life path and the consequences (the "fruit") of their actions, reflecting both their conduct and its results.
Jeremiah 17 10 Bonus Section
This verse speaks to the principle of sowing and reaping that is echoed throughout Scripture (Galatians 6:7). The certainty of God's knowledge and judgment assures that while human systems may fail or be deceived, God's justice will ultimately prevail. This deep dive into God's knowledge of the "heart" and "kidneys" also aligns with theological concepts of God's presence within and His ability to search the innermost parts of existence, as expressed in various Psalms. The New Testament further elucidates how this divine search culminates in the judgment of Christ, where even the hidden motivations of men will be revealed (1 Cor 4:5; Rom 2:16).
Jeremiah 17 10 Commentary
Jeremiah 17:10 reveals a fundamental truth about God's character: His exhaustive omniscience and His perfect justice. God knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. He sees past our outward appearance and even our self-deception to the deepest intents and desires of our hearts. This knowledge is not merely passive observation; it is the basis for His divine judgment and His sovereign dealings with humanity. He rewards or punishes not based on superficialities, but on the totality of our life's "way" and the genuine "fruit" of our actions, which originate from the heart. This verse serves as a solemn reminder of accountability before a righteous God who misses nothing and whose judgments are always true and proportionate.
- Practical application: When facing challenges or accusations, remember God sees the truth of your heart's intent. When tempted, recall that every action has a consequence measured by the omniscient God. Strive for a heart that truly trusts and obeys, not just for outward appearance.