Jeremiah 6 16

Jeremiah 6:16 kjv

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah 6:16 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Jeremiah 6:16 niv

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Jeremiah 6:16 esv

Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'

Jeremiah 6:16 nlt

This is what the LORD says:
"Stop at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'

Jeremiah 6 verses

Jeremiah 6 16 Meaning

Jeremiah 6:16 is a poignant divine appeal to the people of Judah to pause, reflect, and actively seek out the ancient, established ways that God had prescribed for them from the beginning. It calls for discernment to identify the singular "good way"—the path of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments—and to walk in it. The promised outcome for adherence is spiritual "rest" for their souls. However, the verse also tragically records the people's defiant rejection of this divine counsel, stating their unwillingness to follow this good way.

Jeremiah 6 16 Context

Jeremiah 6 is part of Jeremiah's early prophecies against Judah, likely during the reign of King Josiah or Jehoiakim. The chapter depicts the dire spiritual and political condition of Jerusalem and Judah, foreshadowing the impending Babylonian invasion as divine judgment. God declares that enemies from the North will besiege Jerusalem because of its widespread idolatry, corruption, and injustice, from prophet to priest, rich to poor. Amidst these warnings of impending destruction and God's anger against sin, verse 16 stands out as a final, earnest plea for repentance and a return to the foundational principles of their covenant with Yahweh. It highlights that the destruction is not God's primary desire, but a consequence of their refusal to embrace the path that brings peace and security. The verse's tragic conclusion, "But they said, 'We will not walk in it,'" underscores the people's stubborn rebellion and seals their fate, leading into further pronouncements of judgment in subsequent verses.

Jeremiah 6 16 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD: (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - Koh amar YHWH) A common prophetic formula signifying an authoritative, divine declaration. This is not human opinion but a direct message from the covenant God, Yahweh.
• Stand: (עִמְד֤וּ - 'imdu) An imperative verb, "stand ye." It conveys a call to halt, pause from current destructive activities, and take a firm stance of readiness and attentiveness. It suggests a moment of critical self-assessment and decision.
• in the ways: (עַל־דְּרָכִים֙ - 'al-dərakim) Refers to courses of life, actions, and conduct. The plural indicates the many choices or paths the people are currently on, or the different paths available. It's a broad term for human existence and decision-making.
• and see: (וּרְא֣וּ - u-r'u) An imperative. Not a casual glance, but a deep, perceptive observation and discernment. It means to understand and reflect on the consequences of their current "ways."
• and ask: (וְשַׁאֲל֗וּ - wə-sha'alu) Another imperative. This implies active inquiry, seeking divine instruction and wisdom. It suggests a spiritual longing for guidance and truth from God Himself, or from those who genuinely know His ways.
• for the ancient paths: (לִנְתִב֥וֹת עוֹלָ֖ם - linətiḇot ‘olam)
  • ancient: (עוֹלָם - 'olam) Here signifies 'from olden times', 'everlasting', or 'of antiquity'. It refers to the original, long-established truths and commands given by God (e.g., through Moses, the patriarchs). It emphasizes their enduring, unchanging nature, not just historical tradition.
  • paths: (נְתִיב֣וֹת - nətiḇot) Similar to "ways" but often implies more distinct, well-trodden, established routes or customary ways, often narrower than dərāḵim. These are not new inventions but time-honored principles of faithful living.
• where is the good way: (אֵי־זֶ֣ה דֶ֤רֶךְ הַטּוֹב֙ - 'ei-zeh derekh ha-tov)
  • way: (דֶ֤רֶךְ - derekh) Now singular, signifying the one correct path, in contrast to the plural "ways" previously mentioned. This implies a distinct, righteous course of action.
  • good: (הַטּוֹב֙ - ha-tov) Denotes moral rectitude, spiritual soundness, what is right in God's eyes, and beneficial for humanity. It implies prosperity, peace, and spiritual well-being.
• and walk in it: (וּלְכ֣וּ בָ֔הּ - u-ləkhu ḇah) An imperative. Active, obedient participation. It's not enough to merely know or see the good way; one must actively follow it, demonstrating commitment through action.
• and find rest: (וּמִצְא֥וּ מַרְגּוֹעַ֖ - u-mits'u marəgoa')
  • find: (וּמִצְא֥וּ - u-mits'u) The direct, promised result or consequence of actively walking in the good way.
  • rest: (מַרְגּוֹעַ֖ - marəgoa') Conveys tranquility, quietness, spiritual and emotional peace, solace, and relief from distress. It's the inner serenity that comes from being rightly related to God. This isn't just physical cessation but profound internal well-being for the whole person.
• for your souls: (לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶֽם - lə-nafəshoteikem) Refers to their inner being, their life force, their whole person, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. The rest is deep and internal.
• But they said: (וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ - wai-yo'mru) Introduces the people's direct and defiant response, a tragic turning point.
• We will not walk in it: (לֹ֣א נֵלֵֽךְ בָּהּ - lo nelekh bah) A decisive and corporate rejection of God's offer. This is an open act of rebellion, expressing a hardened heart and a deliberate refusal to obey divine instruction, solidifying their path to judgment.

Words-group analysis:

• "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the ancient paths": This sequence of three imperatives (stop, look, inquire) reveals a crucial process of spiritual discernment. It is a call to break from unthinking habit, assess one's spiritual condition, and actively seek divine wisdom embedded in established divine revelation rather than current popular trends. It prioritizes the "old" or original truths over novelties.
• "where is the good way, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls": This part highlights the positive outcome of proper discernment and obedience. It's not just about knowledge, but active walking in the singular, morally correct path that leads directly to profound, internal peace and well-being. The "good way" is God's prescribed path, ultimately found in Christ.
• "But they said, 'We will not walk in it'": This closing statement is deeply significant. It demonstrates humanity's free will, but also its capacity for profound, self-destructive disobedience. This rejection explains the subsequent judgments upon Judah; it was a consequence of their chosen rebellion against a clear divine offer of life and peace.

Jeremiah 6 16 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "rest" (מַרְגּוֹעַ - marəgoa') often carries connotations of relief from the weariness and toil of a difficult journey, offering a cessation of restless agitation. It paints a picture not just of peace but of relief from burden, an imagery powerfully echoed in the New Testament by Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28-30. He essentially says, "I am the good way, walk in me, and I will give you rest." This continuity highlights that the 'ancient paths' of seeking God's truth find their ultimate embodiment and fulfillment in Christ. The concept of "paths" also frequently links to covenant faithfulness or rebellion throughout the prophetic books; straying from God's paths equals breaking the covenant, leading to negative consequences. The people of Judah sought prosperity through their own corrupted ways and alliances, ignoring the truth that genuine security and peace resided solely in covenant loyalty to Yahweh and walking according to His timeless decrees. Their rejection of the "good way" was a rejection of the source of all true blessings.

Jeremiah 6 16 Commentary

Jeremiah 6:16 functions as a critical moment of decision in Judah's spiritual journey, illustrating God's patience and persistent call even in the face of deep apostasy. The verse commands the people to undertake a rigorous process of self-examination and spiritual archaeology. "Stand" implies a cessation from their current headlong rush towards destruction, urging them to soberly assess their course. "See" means discerning the reality of their situation and comparing their present corrupt ways with what God had originally established. "Ask for the ancient paths" points them not to contemporary human traditions, which were often defiled, but to the timeless, divinely revealed commands given through Moses and the prophets—the original, unchanging blueprints for righteous living. This "good way" is singular because there is only one way that pleases God and leads to true blessing, contrasting sharply with the multiple paths of sin they currently walked.

The promise of "rest for your souls" is profound. It’s not merely physical ease but a deep, abiding peace and security that permeates one's inner being, a harmony with God. This spiritual rest is what they lacked and desperately needed amidst societal chaos and the fear of impending invasion. However, the tragic, blunt response, "We will not walk in it," reveals the hardened spiritual state of the people. They understood the choice but consciously rejected God's offer. This act of corporate defiance sealed their fate and underlined the depth of their rebellion, leading inevitably to the judgments foretold by Jeremiah. The verse beautifully juxtaposes God's merciful provision for rest with humanity's stubborn refusal to embrace it, setting a timeless example of the cost of rejecting divine wisdom for self-willed independence.

Examples for practical usage:

• Modern Day Confusion: In an age of diverse philosophies and competing worldviews, Jeremiah 6:16 encourages believers to "stand and see"—to pause and not just follow trends.
• Seeking True North: Instead of relying on fluctuating opinions or transient spiritual fads, we are called to "ask for the ancient paths" rooted in unchanging biblical truth, ensuring our direction is divine.
• Authentic Christian Living: Knowing what is right is insufficient; we must "walk in it" through obedience to God's word, actively embodying its principles.
• Spiritual Burnout: The promise of "rest for your souls" directly addresses modern weariness and anxiety, suggesting that true inner peace comes not from escapism, but from aligning one's life with God's design.