Jeremiah 16:17

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Jeremiah 16:17 powerfully declares God's absolute knowledge and awareness of humanity's actions, emphasizing that nothing is hidden from His divine gaze. This verse serves as a sober warning to the people of Judah, and indeed to all, that their deeds, especially their iniquity, are fully exposed before the Almighty.

Context

This verse is situated within a chapter of severe judgment and lament in the book of Jeremiah. Chapters 16 and 17 outline the impending disaster—exile and destruction—that will befall Judah due to their persistent idolatry and forsaking of the Lord. God forbids Jeremiah from marrying or having children as a sign of the coming desolation, where normal life will cease. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 16:10-13) explain that the reason for this great calamity is the people's abandonment of God and their worship of other gods. Verse 17 underscores the certainty of this judgment, as God is not ignorant of their actions. Immediately following, Jeremiah 16:18 states that God will "recompense their iniquity and their sin double," highlighting the direct consequence of their visible transgressions.

Key Themes

  • God's Omniscience: The phrase "For mine eyes are upon all their ways" directly speaks to God's all-knowing nature. He possesses complete knowledge of every thought, word, and deed, whether public or private.
  • God's Omnipresence: Implied in His all-seeing nature is His presence everywhere. There is no place where one can hide from God's scrutiny, making secret sins impossible to conceal. This concept is beautifully elaborated in Psalm 139:7-12, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"
  • Divine Accountability: The verse establishes that humans are accountable to God for their actions. Since "their iniquity is not hid," judgment is inevitable for those who persist in sin.
  • Justice of God: Because God sees all, His judgments are perfectly just. He does not punish arbitrarily but based on His full knowledge of the truth.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses vivid anthropomorphic language: "mine eyes" and "my face." While God does not literally have physical eyes or a face, these terms convey the direct, personal, and undeniable nature of His observation. His "eyes" imply direct, unblinking observation, while "my face" suggests a direct confrontation or presence, leaving no room for evasion. There is no veil or obscurity between the sinner and the divine observer.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 16:17 holds profound implications for all people:

  • For the Unrepentant: It serves as a stern warning that no sin, no matter how carefully concealed, escapes God's notice. This should lead to humility and a call to repentance and turning away from evil. As Hebrews 4:13 states, "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."
  • For the Righteous: For those who strive to live righteously, this verse offers comfort and encouragement. God sees their faithfulness, their struggles, and their hidden acts of devotion. He is aware of all injustices and will ultimately bring about perfect justice.
  • Living with Awareness: Understanding that God's "eyes are upon all their ways" should cultivate a conscious awareness of His presence in every aspect of life. This encourages integrity, honesty, and a desire to please Him, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to Him (Romans 14:12).

Ultimately, Jeremiah 16:17 reminds us of God's awesome sovereignty and His perfect knowledge, which serves as both a foundation for judgment and a source of comfort and motivation for righteous living.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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:
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