Jeremiah 16:17

KJV

For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

For mine eyes {H5869} are upon all their ways {H1870}: they are not hid {H5641} from my face {H6440}, neither is their iniquity {H5771} hid {H6845} from {H5048} mine eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For I see all their ways; they are not hidden from me; their crimes are not concealed from my eyes.

Berean Standard Bible

For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.

American Standard Version

For mine eyes are upon all their ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity concealed from mine eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 16:17 powerfully asserts God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence, declaring that every action and every hidden iniquity of humanity is fully exposed before His divine gaze. This verse underscores the inescapable reality of divine accountability, serving as a solemn warning to Judah, and indeed to all people, that their ways and their sin are meticulously observed and will not escape the certainty of God's righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 16 is a chapter steeped in pronouncements of severe judgment and lament over the impending desolation of Judah. The prophet Jeremiah is commanded by God to refrain from marriage and having children, a stark symbolic act illustrating the complete cessation of normal life and the unprecedented scale of the coming catastrophe. This chapter follows a series of oracles condemning Judah's idolatry and covenant breaking, particularly highlighted in [Jeremiah 15](/jeremiah/15 "Jeremiah 15 - God's Unwavering Judgment") and leading into the lamentations of [Jeremiah 17](/jeremiah/17 "Jeremiah 17 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart"). Verse 17 serves as a foundational theological premise for the judgment articulated in the preceding verses, such as [Jeremiah 16:10-13](/jeremiah/16-10 "Jeremiah 16:10-13 - The Reason for Judgment"), which explain that the people's abandonment of the Lord for other gods is the root cause of their impending exile. The verse immediately following, [Jeremiah 16:18](/jeremiah/16-18 "Jeremiah 16:18 - God's Recompense for Iniquity"), directly connects God's perfect knowledge to His just recompense, stating He will "recompense their iniquity and their sin double."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Jeremiah is set during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, leading up to its destruction by Babylon and the subsequent exile in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. The people of Judah, despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, had persistently engaged in idolatry, syncretism, and social injustice, mirroring the practices of surrounding pagan nations. They had forsaken the Law of Moses and the worship of the one true God, building altars to Baal and offering sacrifices to other gods on every high hill and under every green tree (cf. [Jeremiah 2:20](/jeremiah/2-20 "Jeremiah 2:20 - Judah's Rebellion")). Culturally, there was a pervasive sense of false security, believing that Jerusalem and the Temple were inviolable due to God's presence, even as their actions directly contradicted His commands. Jeremiah's message, including this verse, shatters that illusion, asserting that their hidden practices and public transgressions were fully known to God, making their punishment inevitable and just.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 16:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Omniscience and Omnipresence**, emphasizing that God's knowledge is absolute and His presence inescapable, leaving no room for concealed sin. This divine attribute directly underpins the theme of **Divine Justice and Accountability**, where human actions, particularly their "ways" and "iniquity," are meticulously observed and will be met with equitable judgment. The verse also reinforces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Breaking**, highlighting Judah's failure to uphold their covenant obligations, which God, in His perfect knowledge, sees and will judge. This contrasts sharply with the future hope of a new covenant where God's law will be written on hearts, a theme developed later in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), where true knowledge of God will lead to forgiveness of iniquity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **eyes (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** From H5869, this word primarily means "an eye" literally or figuratively. Here, it is an anthropomorphism, attributing human sensory organs to God to convey His perfect, direct, and unblinking observation. It signifies not just seeing, but full comprehension and awareness, implying an active, discerning gaze that penetrates all facades and hidden places.
* **ways (Hebrew, _derek'_):** From H1870, this term refers to a "road" or "path," but figuratively, it denotes a "course of life" or "mode of action." In this context, "all their ways" encompasses every aspect of human conduct, including their intentions, decisions, habits, and the overall trajectory of their lives, both public and private. It signifies the totality of their behavior and moral choices.
* **hid (Hebrew, _çâthar'_ / _tsâphan'_):** The KJV uses "hid" twice, drawing from two distinct Hebrew roots. The first "hid" (H5641, _çâthar'_) means "to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively; be absent, keep close, conceal." The second "hid" (H6845, _tsâphan'_) means "to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny." The use of these two distinct but related words emphasizes the futility of any attempt to conceal actions or iniquity from God. No matter how deeply or cleverly something is hidden, it remains utterly transparent to Him.
* **iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, this word signifies "perversity, i.e., (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischief, punishment (of iniquity), sin." It points to the crookedness or distortion of moral character and action, a deviation from God's righteous standard. The specific mention of "iniquity" highlights that God's gaze is not merely observational but morally discerning, focusing on the ethical and spiritual transgressions of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For mine eyes are upon all their ways:"** This clause establishes the foundational premise of God's absolute knowledge. The possessive "mine eyes" uses anthropomorphism to convey God's direct, personal, and comprehensive observation. "Upon all their ways" emphasizes the totality and universality of this divine scrutiny, encompassing every path, every action, and every decision made by individuals and the nation as a whole. Nothing escapes His notice.
* **"they are not hid from my face,"** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the previous statement. "My face" further personifies God, suggesting a direct, unmediated confrontation or presence. It implies that there is no veil, no barrier, and no obscurity between human actions and God's immediate awareness. The concept of being "not hid" reinforces the futility of concealment, indicating that all deeds are openly displayed before Him.
* **"neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes."** This final clause specifically highlights the moral dimension of God's observation. While "ways" encompasses all actions, "iniquity" zeroes in on the sinful, perverse, and morally corrupt aspects of human conduct. The repetition of "hid from mine eyes" serves as an emphatic declaration that even the most secret sins, the deepest moral failings, are perfectly transparent to God. This underscores the certainty of divine justice, as God's judgment will be based on His full and undeniable knowledge of every transgression.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 16:17 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where human attributes are ascribed to God ("mine eyes," "my face"). These are not literal descriptions but powerful metaphors that make God's abstract qualities of omniscience and omnipresence relatable and impactful, emphasizing His direct and personal involvement in observing human affairs. The verse also utilizes **Repetition** and **Parallelism** for emphasis: "not hid from my face" is paralleled by "neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes." This rhetorical technique reinforces the central message of inescapable divine knowledge, highlighting both general conduct ("ways") and specific moral failings ("iniquity"). Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in "all their ways" and the double negative "not hid," which, while literally true of God, serves to dramatically underscore the absolute and comprehensive nature of His awareness, leaving no room for doubt or evasion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 16:17 is a profound declaration of God's perfect knowledge and inescapable presence, a truth that forms the bedrock of biblical theology concerning divine justice and human accountability. It speaks to the very character of God as the sovereign Lord who sees all, knows all, and is present everywhere. This omniscience means that no sin, no matter how carefully concealed, escapes His notice, and no act of righteousness, however small, goes unrecorded. This truth provides both a sobering warning to the unrepentant and immense comfort to the righteous, assuring them that God's judgments are always perfectly just because they are based on complete and unfailing knowledge. It compels humanity to live with a constant awareness of God's gaze, fostering integrity, humility, and a desire to walk in His ways.

* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - Everything Exposed to God")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 16:17 calls us to a profound awareness of God's constant presence and perfect knowledge. For those who live in rebellion or attempt to conceal their sins, this verse serves as a stark and inescapable warning: there is no hiding from the Almighty. Every thought, word, and deed, whether performed in the light or in the deepest secrecy, is fully known to God. This truth should lead to genuine repentance and a turning away from hidden iniquity, recognizing that true freedom comes not from successful concealment but from honest confession and forgiveness. For the believer, this verse offers immense comfort and motivation. It assures us that God sees our struggles, our hidden acts of devotion, our sincere efforts to live righteously, and every injustice we face. Knowing that our Father sees in secret (cf. [Matthew 6:4](/matthew/6-4 "Matthew 6:4 - Rewards for Secret Giving")) encourages us to live with integrity, not for the applause of others, but for the approval of the One who sees all. It cultivates a lifestyle of conscious accountability to God, fostering a desire to honor Him in every aspect of our lives, knowing that ultimately, we will all stand before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God sees "all your ways" impact your daily choices and actions, particularly those done in private?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to believe that your "iniquity is hid from mine eyes"?**
* **How does God's perfect knowledge of both our sins and our righteous deeds bring you either conviction or comfort?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consistently with the awareness that God's eyes are always upon you?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly see every single thing I do, even my secret thoughts?**

Answer: Yes, absolutely. Jeremiah 16:17 explicitly states, "For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes." This verse, along with many others in Scripture, affirms God's omniscience and omnipresence. His "eyes" and "face" are anthropomorphic expressions conveying His complete and intimate knowledge of every action, motive, and thought. There is no place or state of being where one can escape His gaze. As [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - Everything Exposed to God") declares, "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

**If God sees all my iniquity, does that mean there's no hope for forgiveness?**

Answer: While God's perfect sight of all iniquity is a solemn truth that underscores human accountability, it does not mean there is no hope for forgiveness. The Bible consistently presents God as both just and merciful. His seeing our sin is the very basis for His righteous judgment, but it is also the prerequisite for His offer of grace. Confession and repentance are key. When we acknowledge our sin before Him, who already sees it, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us (cf. [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). The hope for forgiveness is found in God's character and His provision for sin, ultimately through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 16:17, with its stark declaration of God's all-seeing eye upon "all their ways" and "iniquity," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God's perfect knowledge often led to judgment upon a rebellious people, as seen in Jeremiah's prophecy of exile. However, in Christ, this divine omniscience is not solely a source of condemnation but also the foundation for perfect redemption and a new relationship with God. Jesus, being God incarnate, perfectly embodies this all-seeing knowledge (cf. [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All Men"), [John 4:29](/john/4-29 "John 4:29 - Jesus Knew the Samaritan Woman's Past")). He saw the depths of human sin and the deceitfulness of the heart (cf. [Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21 "Mark 7:21-23 - What Defiles a Person")), yet rather than merely judging, He offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice to atone for that very iniquity. Through His death and resurrection, those whose "ways" and "iniquity" were fully exposed to God can now be declared righteous in His sight, not by their own hidden perfection, but by the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to them (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, Christ's future role as the ultimate Judge means that God's all-seeing eye will bring every hidden thing into the light (cf. [Romans 14:10-12](/romans/14-10 "Romans 14:10-12 - We Shall All Stand Before the Judgment Seat of Christ")), but for those in Him, this judgment leads to vindication and eternal life, not condemnation (cf. [John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - No Condemnation for Believers")). Thus, the truth of God's inescapable gaze, so terrifying to the unrepentant in Jeremiah, becomes a source of profound security and grace for those who are "in Christ," whose sins are remembered no more (cf. [Hebrews 8:12](/hebrews/8-12 "Hebrews 8:12 - God's Forgiveness in the New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 15:3

¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Psalms 90:8

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

Job 34:21

For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

Job 34:22

[There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: