Jeremiah 6 19

Jeremiah 6:19 kjv

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

Jeremiah 6:19 nkjv

Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people? The fruit of their thoughts, Because they have not heeded My words Nor My law, but rejected it.

Jeremiah 6:19 niv

Hear, you earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.

Jeremiah 6:19 esv

Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Jeremiah 6:19 nlt

Listen, all the earth!
I will bring disaster on my people.
It is the fruit of their own schemes,
because they refuse to listen to me.
They have rejected my word.

Jeremiah 6 verses

Jeremiah 6 19 Meaning

Jeremiah 6:19 is a divine proclamation of impending judgment against the people of Judah. God calls upon the entire creation, metaphorically the "earth," to witness His righteous judgment. The impending disaster is not arbitrary but is depicted as the natural and just consequence ("the fruit") of their own sinful thoughts and actions. The verse explicitly states the reason for this judgment: their persistent refusal to listen to God's divine words and their outright rejection and despising of His revealed law.

Jeremiah 6 19 Context

Jeremiah chapter 6 continues the prophet's denouncement of Judah, particularly Jerusalem, for its profound spiritual corruption and persistent rebellion against God. The preceding verses lament the city's moral decay, its oppressive rulers, false prophets, and priests who "heal the wound of my people lightly" (v. 14). There's a pervasive sense of false security among the people, believing they are safe despite their sin. God warns of an impending invasion from the North, personified as a powerful army, which serves as His instrument of judgment. Despite urgent calls to repentance and to "walk in the good way" (v. 16), the people refuse, declaring, "We will not walk in it." Verse 19 is a culminating declaration of divine judgment, following this resolute rejection of God's instruction, serving as a legal indictment where God appeals to the earth itself as a witness to their inexcusable defiance. The chapter paints a grim picture of a people whose hearts have become hardened, unresponsive to divine warning, and ripe for the consequences of their apostasy.

Jeremiah 6 19 Word analysis

• Hear: (Hebrew: Shim'i) This is an imperative verb, a direct command. It signals a solemn and significant pronouncement. The call is directed to the "earth," making it an elevated, formal declaration, much like a cosmic court.
• O earth!: (Hebrew: Eretz) "Earth" here signifies not merely the ground but the entire creation, serving as a cosmic witness to God's judgment against His covenant people. It highlights the universal implications of Judah's rebellion and God's sovereignty over all.
• Behold: (Hebrew: Hin'ni) An emphatic particle drawing attention to the imminent and certain nature of the subsequent declaration. It means "See, I am," signaling an active divine intention.
• I am bringing disaster: (Hebrew: Mevi ra'ah) "Disaster" (ra'ah) here refers to calamity, affliction, or evil consequence. It is crucial to note it's not moral evil but punitive, resulting in suffering. God is explicitly the one initiating this action as a righteous judge, emphasizing divine agency in the impending suffering.
• on this people: (Hebrew: Al-ha'am hazzeh) Refers specifically to the covenant people of Judah, God's chosen nation. The judgment is precise, targeting those who rejected Him, not a random act.
• The fruit of their thoughts: (Hebrew: P'ri mach'sh'voteihem) This is a vivid metaphor connecting the consequences (p'ri, "fruit") directly to their inner designs, plans, and intentions (mach'sh'voteihem, "thoughts"). It underscores that the impending disaster is a direct, organic outgrowth of their own corrupt moral choices, rather than an arbitrary punishment. God's judgment is just and directly proportionate to their internal disposition.
• Because they have not heeded: (Hebrew: Ki d'varai lo hikshivuk) "Heeded" (hikshivuk) implies a careful, attentive listening, an inclining of the ear not just to hear but to obey. Their failure was not merely an inability to hear but a deliberate refusal to listen attentively and comply.
• My words: (Hebrew: D'varai) This refers broadly to divine utterances—prophetic messages, commandments, and instructions that Jeremiah himself had delivered, as well as God's past communications through His prophets.
• Nor My law: (Hebrew: Ul'torati) "Law" (Torah) here denotes divine instruction, encompassing the Mosaic covenant, statutes, and principles for living righteously. It points to a systematic and comprehensive rejection of God's revealed will.
• but rejected it: (Hebrew: Ma'asu) This verb implies a contemptuous, scornful, or spurning rejection. It goes beyond mere non-compliance to an active disdain and refusal, a complete casting off of what God values and demands.

Jeremiah 6 19 Bonus section

The appeal to "earth" as a witness (similar to Deut 30:19 or Isa 1:2) serves not only as a dramatic literary device but also carries theological weight: it implies that even inanimate creation recognizes God's authority and the justness of His ways, whereas His own chosen people have become deaf and rebellious. This highlights the extraordinary stubbornness and moral blindness of Judah, making their sin appear all the more egregious. The phrase "the fruit of their thoughts" establishes an undeniable link between inner spiritual disposition (hearts, minds, plans) and external experience, serving as a powerful theological truth throughout Scripture—actions stem from intent, and consequences follow. This idea directly combats any superficial religion where outward rituals or covenant status are believed to negate the need for inward transformation and obedience. Jeremiah repeatedly exposes the hollowness of such external piety, emphasizing the heart as the true source of rebellion or faithfulness.

Jeremiah 6 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 6:19 encapsulates the core prophetic message of impending judgment and its underlying justice. God, the sovereign Lord, initiates a divine courtroom scene by commanding the earth itself to "hear," a profound declaration asserting the universal accountability of humanity to its Creator and God's role as the supreme judge. This calling of the earth as a witness serves to legitimize God's actions and underscore the gravity of Judah's sin, highlighting that their actions have cosmic repercussions.

The verse clarifies that the coming "disaster" is not a random act of a wrathful deity but rather the "fruit of their thoughts." This potent agricultural metaphor emphasizes retributive justice: what one sows, one reaps. Their deep-seated, rebellious "thoughts"—their wicked designs, idolatrous plans, and hardened intentions—are the seeds that inevitably yield the bitter fruit of calamity. This directly counters any belief that misfortune is arbitrary or undeserved, affirming divine equity where internal corruption naturally leads to external suffering.

The root cause of their judgment is twofold and sequential: "they have not heeded My words" and "Nor My law, but rejected it." The failure to "heed" denotes an active disinterest, a refusal to lend an ear and truly listen, let alone obey. This willful deafness led directly to their ultimate transgression: a scornful "rejection" of God's "law" (Torah) and divine "words" (D'varim). This was not a passive neglect but an active spurning of the covenant and its stipulations, displaying open contempt for God's authority and His gracious instruction for their well-being. This verse therefore stands as a poignant reminder that persistent spiritual deafness and active rebellion against God's revealed will inevitably lead to devastating consequences ordained by a righteous God.