Jeremiah 2:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:19 delivers a profound indictment against Judah, articulating that their suffering and impending judgment are not arbitrary, but the direct, bitter fruit of their spiritual rebellion. The verse powerfully declares that their own wickedness and repeated turning away from God will serve as their painful disciplinarian, exposing the inherent evil and bitterness of abandoning the LORD, their true source of life and security, and demonstrating a profound lack of reverential awe for Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in the book of Jeremiah, within the prophet's initial messages of indictment against Judah. Chapters 1 and 2 establish Jeremiah's prophetic call and God's lament over His people's unfaithfulness. Specifically, [Jeremiah 2](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Apostasy") opens with God recalling His covenant faithfulness to Israel in the wilderness, contrasting it sharply with their subsequent apostasy. The immediate preceding verses (e.g., [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns") and [Jeremiah 2:17](/jeremiah/2-17 "Jeremiah 2:17 - Forsaking the Lord")) vividly describe Judah's sin as forsaking the "fountain of living waters" for "broken cisterns" and bringing disaster upon themselves by abandoning the LORD. Verse 19 thus functions as a direct consequence statement, explaining *why* they will suffer: their own actions are the cause.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry began around 627 BC, during the reigns of Judah's last kings, leading up to the Babylonian exile. This was a period of significant political instability and moral decline in Judah, marked by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to religious rituals without genuine heart-devotion. Despite previous reforms under King Josiah, the nation had largely reverted to syncretistic practices, worshipping Baal and other foreign deities. The covenant relationship, established at Sinai, was fundamentally broken by their unfaithfulness. The "fear of the LORD" was a foundational concept in ancient Israelite society, signifying not terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and obedience to God, which was understood as the beginning of wisdom and the basis for national well-being.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:19 powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it underscores the **consequences of sin**, emphasizing that Judah's suffering is a direct, self-inflicted result of their rebellion, rather than arbitrary punishment. God allows the natural outworking of their choices to bring about discipline. Secondly, the verse highlights the profound spiritual offense of **forsaking God**, portraying it as a deliberate turning away from the very source of life and blessing, leading to emptiness and bitterness. This theme is central to Jeremiah's prophetic message, as seen in [Jeremiah 17:13](/jeremiah/17-13 "Jeremiah 17:13 - The Lord, the Fountain of Living Waters"). Thirdly, the absence of **the fear of the Lord** is identified as a critical spiritual deficiency. This "fear" (Hebrew: _yirah_) implies a deep reverence and respect for God's holiness and authority, which naturally leads to obedience and wisdom. Its absence signifies a casual disregard for God's commands and a spiritual blindness that prevents recognition of the true path to well-being, echoing the wisdom tradition found in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Correct (Hebrew, _yâçar'_):** From H3256, this word signifies to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct, punish, or reform. In this context, it implies that Judah's own "wickedness" will act as a painful instructor, a form of discipline intended to teach them the folly of their ways and potentially lead them back to God. It suggests a corrective process, not merely punitive destruction.
* **Reprove (Hebrew, _yâkach'_):** From H3198, this term means to be right, to argue, convict, or rebuke. When applied to "backslidings," it indicates that their apostasy will itself serve as a witness against them, exposing their guilt and demonstrating the error of their choices. It carries the weight of a legal conviction, where their actions themselves provide the evidence of their wrongdoing and the justification for their suffering.
* **Forsaken (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** From H5800, this primitive root means to loosen, relinquish, permit, or leave destitute. Here, it describes a deliberate act of abandonment—Judah has consciously turned away from the LORD, their covenant God. This is not a passive drifting but an active rejection of their divine relationship, leading to a profound spiritual void and the loss of divine protection and blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thine own wickedness shall correct thee,"**: This clause asserts that the painful consequences Judah experiences are not arbitrary divine punishment but the natural outworking and direct result of their own immoral and sinful actions. Their "wickedness" (Hebrew: _raʻ_, H7451, meaning bad or evil) will serve as a disciplinarian, bringing about a necessary, albeit painful, correction.
* **"and thy backslidings shall reprove thee:"**: Parallel to the first clause, this emphasizes that Judah's repeated acts of turning away from God (their "backslidings," Hebrew: _mᵉshûwbâh_, H4878, meaning apostasy) will themselves convict them. Their unfaithfulness will expose their guilt and demonstrate the justness of their suffering, acting as a stern rebuke.
* **"know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter,"**: This is a call to spiritual discernment. The phrase "know therefore and see" (Hebrew: _yâdaʻ_ H3045 and _râʼâh_ H7200, both meaning to perceive, understand, or experience) urges Judah to recognize and fully comprehend the painful reality of their situation. Their experience will reveal the inherent "evil" (H7451) and "bitter" (Hebrew: _mar_, H4751) nature of their choices.
* **"that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God,"**: This clause identifies the root cause of the "evil and bitter" experience: their deliberate abandonment of the covenant God, "the LORD thy God" (Hebrew: _Yᵉhôvâh_ H3068, _ʼĕlôhîym_ H430). This act of forsaking is the ultimate spiritual betrayal, cutting them off from their source of life and blessing.
* **"and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts."**: This final clause pinpoints the underlying spiritual condition that enabled their apostasy: a profound lack of reverential awe and respect for God. The absence of "my fear" (Hebrew: _pachdâh_, H6345, meaning alarm or awe) indicates a casual disregard for God's holiness and authority, leading to disobedience. The declaration "saith the Lord GOD of hosts" (Hebrew: _nᵉʼum_ H5002, _ʼĂdônây_ H136, _Yᵉhôvih_ H3069, _tsâbâʼ_ H6635) powerfully authenticates the message as coming from the sovereign, all-powerful God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the declarations that "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee." Here, abstract concepts of "wickedness" and "backslidings" are given agency, acting as active agents of discipline and conviction. This emphasizes the inherent, self-inflicted nature of their suffering. The verse also utilizes strong **Imagery** through the terms "evil" and "bitter," appealing to sensory experience to describe the unpleasant and painful consequences of their actions. This vivid language helps the audience grasp the severity of their spiritual state. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is employed in the opening clauses ("Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee"), reinforcing the message through repetition and emphasizing the two intertwined aspects of their rebellion and its consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:19 articulates a fundamental biblical principle: sin carries inherent, self-inflicted consequences. It is not merely that God punishes sin, but that sin, by its very nature, is destructive and brings about its own bitter fruit. This verse highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where faithfulness leads to blessing and disobedience to curses, demonstrating God's justice and His desire for His people to return to Him. The absence of the "fear of the LORD" is presented as the root spiritual malady, indicating a broken relationship and a failure to acknowledge God's rightful place of authority and reverence. This principle extends beyond ancient Israel, serving as a timeless warning that turning away from God, the source of all life and truth, inevitably leads to emptiness, pain, and spiritual desolation.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Your Sins Have Separated You from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:19 serves as a timeless and sobering mirror for individuals and communities today. It compels us to honestly examine the cause-and-effect relationship between our choices and our experiences. When we find ourselves in "evil and bitter" circumstances, the verse challenges us to look inward, recognizing that such pain may be the direct, self-inflicted consequence of our own "wickedness" or "backslidings"—our deliberate or gradual drift from God. This isn't a call to self-condemnation, but to spiritual discernment and humble introspection, understanding that God, in His mercy, often allows the natural consequences of sin to serve as a painful but necessary form of correction, designed to awaken us to our need for Him. Cultivating a genuine "fear of the LORD"—a profound reverence and awe that shapes our decisions and desires—is therefore paramount. It is this healthy fear that motivates obedience, fosters wisdom, and protects us from the destructive path of forsaking the One who is our true "fountain of living waters." The bitterness we experience is an invitation to acknowledge our error, repent, and return to the Lord, who alone offers true life and lasting peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing "evil and bitter" consequences that could be linked to my own "wickedness" or "backslidings"?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate a genuine "fear of the LORD," or where might this reverence be lacking?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reverence for God and actively guard against spiritual drift or rebellion?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that "wickedness shall correct" and "backslidings shall reprove"?**
Answer: This means that the negative consequences Judah experiences are directly caused by their own sinful actions and turning away from God. Their "wickedness" (immoral behavior, idolatry) will act as a harsh teacher or disciplinarian, bringing painful lessons. Their "backslidings" (apostasy, spiritual rebellion) will serve as a convicting witness against them, exposing their guilt and demonstrating the folly of their choices. It's a statement that sin has inherent, self-destructive power, and God allows its natural fruit to manifest as a form of divine discipline, intended to bring about repentance and return. It's not merely external punishment, but the painful outworking of their own choices.

**What is the "fear of the LORD" mentioned in this verse?**
Answer: The "fear of the LORD" (Hebrew: _yirah_) in biblical context does not primarily mean terror or cowering dread. Instead, it signifies a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, power, and authority. It's a deep recognition of who God is, which leads to humility, obedience, and a desire to live in accordance with His will. Its absence, as stated in [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Consequences of Forsaking God"), indicates a casual disregard for God's commands and a spiritual blindness that prevents one from recognizing the true path to well-being and blessing. [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom") famously declares that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

**Is God punishing Judah, or are these just natural consequences of their actions?**
Answer: Jeremiah 2:19 presents both aspects. While the consequences are indeed the "natural" outcome of their choices (sin is inherently destructive), these natural consequences are also part of God's divine discipline. God, in His sovereignty, allows the outworking of their wickedness and backslidings to serve as a corrective and reproving force. This is not arbitrary punishment but a just response from a covenant-keeping God who seeks to bring His people back to Himself. The pain is intended to reveal the "evil and bitter" reality of forsaking Him, prompting repentance and a return to the "fountain of living waters" ([Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:19 vividly portrays the devastating consequences of humanity's rebellion and the inherent bitterness of forsaking God. In the New Testament, we see how Jesus Christ perfectly fulfills and reverses this tragic narrative. While Israel's wickedness and backslidings led to their correction and reproof, Jesus, the sinless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of humanity's wickedness and backslidings on the cross. He experienced the ultimate "evil and bitter" separation from God so that those who believe in Him might never have to. He is the true "fountain of living waters" that Israel forsook ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")), and through His sacrifice, He offers forgiveness and restoration, enabling a genuine return to God. Furthermore, where Israel lacked the "fear of the LORD," Christ perfectly embodied reverential obedience to His Father, even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through faith in Him, believers are given a new heart and the Holy Spirit, enabling them to walk in obedience and cultivate a true, Spirit-empowered "fear of the LORD" ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, the bitter consequences described in Jeremiah find their ultimate resolution and hope in the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms the path of rebellion into a way of reconciliation and life.

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

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.