Jeremiah 17 10

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 verses

Jeremiah 17 10 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:10 declares God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence, stating that He, the LORD, profoundly searches and scrutinizes the deepest parts of every human being—the heart, representing the core of one's being, will, and intellect, and the mind (or inner being), signifying the innermost thoughts and emotions. This perfect and penetrating knowledge of individual character, intentions, and hidden motives serves as the unwavering basis for His righteous judgment, ensuring that each person is justly recompensed according to their actions, conduct, and the underlying fruit their deeds truly bear. It establishes divine accountability for all aspects of human existence, both internal and external.

Jeremiah 17 10 Context

Jeremiah 17:10 is embedded within a broader prophetic discourse delivered during a time of significant spiritual and political crisis for the nation of Judah. The immediate preceding verses (17:5-8) contrast the curse awaiting those who trust in human strength and detach themselves from the LORD, with the blessing for those who trust solely in Him. Directly before verse 10, verse 9 declares the human heart to be "deceitful above all things and beyond cure," posing a rhetorical question, "Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:10 immediately answers this question by emphatically asserting that the LORD alone possesses this deep, unshakeable understanding. Historically, the people of Judah often engaged in superficial worship and relied on alliances rather than faithful obedience to God. Jeremiah's message frequently challenged their external piety, highlighting their internal apostasy. In this context, the verse serves as a powerful polemic against human self-deception and the prevalent belief that outward appearances or ritualistic acts could suffice for true faith, underscoring Yahweh's unique attribute as the discerner of true motives, unlike the capricious or easily appeased pagan deities.

Jeremiah 17 10 Word analysis

• I the LORD: (Hebrew: אֲנִי יְהוָה - Ani Yahweh). This emphatic personal declaration of the divine name underscores God's singular identity, authority, and intrinsic nature. It asserts His unparalleled power and sovereign right to perform the actions described.
• search: (Hebrew: חֹקֵר - choqer, from root HQR - חָקַר). This verb implies a deep, thorough, and investigative probing, an active exploration and penetration into something hidden or complex. It denotes more than a casual observation; it's a scrutinizing inquiry.
• the heart: (Hebrew: לֵב - lev). In biblical Hebrew, the "heart" is the comprehensive center of a person's inner life. It is the seat of intellect, emotions, will, moral choices, character, and spiritual life. It encompasses intentions, understanding, memory, and conscience—the core of one's being.
• and examine: (Hebrew: בֹּחֵן - bochen, from root BḤN - בָּחַן). This word carries the nuance of testing, trying, or proving, often used in metallurgy for assaying metals to determine their purity. It signifies a rigorous process of discerning genuineness and quality.
• the mind: (Hebrew: כְּלָיוֹת - kelāyôt - kidneys). Literally referring to the physical kidneys, this term functions as an idiom for the innermost feelings, deepest emotions, hidden thoughts, secret desires, and moral consciousness. Alongside "heart," it emphasizes the most hidden, visceral depths of the human interior. Modern translations often use "mind," "inmost being," or "affections" to capture this deeper sense.
• to reward: (Hebrew: לָתֵת - latet - to give, grant). In this context, "to give" implies bestowing consequences, either positive or negative, recompense, or retribution. It speaks to divine justice in action.
• each person: (Hebrew: אִישׁ - ish - man, person). This word ensures the universality of the statement; it applies to every individual, without exception.
• according to their conduct: (Hebrew: כְּדְרָכָיו - kedrakav - according to his ways/paths). "Ways" or "conduct" refers to the trajectory of one's life, patterns of behavior, actions, and the chosen course of life. It emphasizes outward actions but acknowledges they stem from inward disposition.
• according to what their deeds deserve: (Hebrew: כִּפְרִי מַעֲלָלָיו - kippri ma'alalav - according to the fruit of his doings/works). "Fruit" metaphorically represents the outcome or natural consequence of one's actions, emphasizing that deeds carry their inherent results. It underscores the ultimate produce or yield of one's works and endeavors.

Words-group analysis

• I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind: This phrase collectively declares God's unique and profound omniscience. He penetrates beyond superficial appearances to discern the hidden motives, intentions, and core character residing within every person. The parallel terms "heart" and "mind/kidneys" are a merism, covering the entire range of human interiority.
• to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve: This clause directly links God's perfect knowledge to His perfect justice. His understanding of the inner person is not idle information; it forms the unassailable basis for righteous judgment and recompense, ensuring that outcomes precisely match a person's true moral character and the tangible expressions of their life.

Jeremiah 17 10 Bonus section

• Divine Contrast to Human Limitation: This verse stands in stark contrast to human capabilities, reinforcing the declaration in Jer 17:9 that no human can truly know their own heart, much less another's. Only God possesses this absolute understanding.
• Foundation for Divine Justice: The detailed understanding God has of inner motives provides the unshakeable foundation for His impartial and perfect justice. He cannot be deceived, nor can He err in judgment, because His knowledge is complete.
• Holistic Accountability: The pairing of "heart" (intellect, will) and "mind/kidneys" (emotions, deep desires) emphasizes that human accountability to God is holistic, covering both reasoned thought, intentional choices, and deeply ingrained inclinations.
• Polemics against Superficiality: In a context where external religious practice or outward displays of loyalty were often mistaken for true faith, this verse challenges any form of superficiality, insisting on inner truthfulness before God. It condemns self-righteousness that merely conforms outwardly while harboring wickedness inwardly.
• Comfort and Conviction: For the sincere believer, this truth is a comfort, knowing God sees their true intentions even if misunderstood by others. For the insincere, it serves as a powerful conviction to repent and align their inner life with their outward claims.

Jeremiah 17 10 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:10 is a pivotal theological statement on the character of God, establishing His role as the ultimate judge who is not only all-knowing but also perfectly just. Coming after the declaration of the human heart's incurable deceitfulness (v.9), this verse offers the only remedy and perfect discernment: God's. He does not merely see actions; He "searches" and "examines" the profound depths of human interiority – the intentions, desires, thoughts, and core character represented by the "heart" and "mind." This divine scrutiny is not for curiosity but for justice. Every reward or consequence, therefore, is meted out with absolute fairness, precisely corresponding to a person's entire course of life ("conduct") and the tangible impact and true nature of their actions ("deeds deserve"). It underscores that no secret is hidden, no motive unseen, and no action goes without its just return from God, reminding believers and unbelievers alike of an inescapable moral accountability to a perfectly knowing and righteous Creator.