Jeremiah 2:19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Thine own wickedness {H7451} shall correct {H3256} thee, and thy backslidings {H4878} shall reprove {H3198} thee: know {H3045} therefore and see {H7200} that it is an evil {H7451} thing and bitter {H4751}, that thou hast forsaken {H5800} the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and that my fear {H6345} is not in thee, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} of hosts {H6635}.

Your own wickedness will correct you, your own backslidings will convict you; you will know and see how bad and bitter it was to abandon ADONAI your God, and how fear of me is not in you," says Adonai ELOHIM-Tzva'ot.

Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

Commentary on Jeremiah 2:19 (KJV)

Jeremiah 2:19 delivers a stark warning from the Lord to the people of Judah, revealing the natural and painful consequences of their spiritual rebellion. The verse emphasizes that their suffering is not arbitrary punishment but the direct result of their own choices to abandon God.

Context

This verse is situated early in the book of Jeremiah, a prophetic book written during a tumultuous period for Judah (the Southern Kingdom), prior to its exile to Babylon. Jeremiah's ministry began around 627 BC, and he consistently called the nation to repentance, highlighting their widespread idolatry, moral decay, and unfaithfulness to the covenant God had made with them. Despite God's past deliverance and continued faithfulness, Judah had repeatedly forsaken the LORD, their "fountain of living waters," for broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13). This verse encapsulates God's indictment, explaining that their coming hardship would be a bitter harvest of their own sowing.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Sin: The verse powerfully states that "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee." This highlights a fundamental biblical principle: sin carries inherent, self-inflicted consequences. God allows the natural outworking of rebellion to bring about discipline and correction, not merely imposing external punishment. It is a bitter experience to reap what one has sown.
  • Forsaking God: At the heart of Judah's problem was their act of "forsaking the LORD thy God." This wasn't merely a lapse; it was a deliberate turning away from the source of all life, blessing, and true security. This spiritual abandonment led to a vacuum that was filled with idolatry and moral corruption.
  • Absence of the Fear of the Lord: The phrase "that my fear is not in thee" points to a critical spiritual deficiency. The "fear of the Lord" (Hebrew: yirah) in biblical context doesn't mean terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, authority, and power. This healthy fear leads to obedience and wisdom. Its absence indicates a casual disregard for God's commands and a spiritual blindness that prevents recognition of the true path to well-being. Proverbs 9:10 declares that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "correct" (yasar) often carries the meaning of discipline, instruction, or chastening, implying a process designed to teach and guide, even through hardship. Similarly, "reprove" (yakach) means to argue, convict, or rebuke. Together, they emphasize that Israel's own actions would serve as a painful instructor, revealing the folly of their choices. The "fear" (yirah) of the Lord, as mentioned, is not a cowering dread but a profound reverence that shapes one's actions and worldview, reflecting a right relationship with the Almighty.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:19 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It reminds us:

  1. Consequences are Real: Our choices have consequences. Drifting away from God, embracing sin, or neglecting spiritual disciplines will inevitably lead to "evil and bitter" experiences.
  2. Self-Correction Through Pain: Sometimes, the pain we experience is a direct result of our own "wickedness" and "backslidings," serving as a harsh but necessary form of self-correction. This can be God's way of bringing us to a point of repentance and return.
  3. The Importance of Reverence: Cultivating a genuine "fear of the Lord" is vital for spiritual health. When we truly revere God, we are motivated to obey His commands and seek His will, thereby avoiding the bitter fruits of disobedience.
  4. A Call to Return: The bitterness experienced from forsaking God is an invitation to acknowledge our error and return to Him, the source of true life and blessing.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 3:9

    ¶ The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide [it] not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

  • Psalms 36:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.

  • Jeremiah 4:18

    Thy way and thy doings have procured these [things] unto thee; this [is] thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.

  • Jeremiah 2:17

    Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

  • Hosea 5:5

    And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.

  • Jeremiah 5:6

    Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

  • Amos 8:10

    And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

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