Jeremiah 25:6

And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.

And go {H3212} not after {H310} other {H312} gods {H430} to serve {H5647} them, and to worship {H7812} them, and provoke me not to anger {H3707} with the works {H4639} of your hands {H3027}; and I will do you no hurt {H7489}.

Don't follow other gods by serving and worshipping them. "Don't provoke my anger with things your own hands have made; then I will do you no harm.

Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’

and go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.

Jeremiah 25:6 delivers a direct and urgent warning from God to the people of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah. It encapsulates a fundamental principle of their covenant relationship with the Lord: exclusive devotion and obedience to Him alone.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Jeremiah Chapter 25, delivered in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign. Jeremiah had been prophesying for 23 years, constantly calling the people of Judah to repentance. Despite numerous warnings, they persisted in their idolatry and disobedience. This chapter culminates in the pronouncement of a seventy-year Babylonian captivity as a consequence of their sin. Verse 6 highlights the specific sin that provoked God's judgment: turning away from Him to worship false deities.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Worship of God: The command "go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them" directly echoes the first commandment given at Mount Sinai, emphasizing that YHWH alone is to be worshipped. This was a constant struggle for Israel, as they were surrounded by pagan nations and their practices.
  • The Danger of Idolatry: "Provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands" refers to the making and worshipping of idols, literal statues or images. This act was seen as a direct affront to God's sovereignty and holiness, inciting His righteous wrath. Idolatry breaks the covenant relationship and invites divine judgment.
  • Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience: The promise "and I will do you no hurt" serves as a stark contrast to the impending judgment. It highlights God's protective nature and His desire to bless His people when they remain faithful. Conversely, disobedience, particularly idolatry, inevitably leads to harmful consequences, including divine discipline and even destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "other gods" (Hebrew: elohim acherim) consistently refers to foreign or false deities in the Old Testament, emphasizing their distinction from the one true God. The term "provoke me to anger" (Hebrew: takh'isu oti) is a strong verb indicating intense aggravation or incitement of divine wrath, underscoring the severity of idolatry in God's eyes. The "works of your hands" is a recurring biblical phrase often used to describe idols, highlighting their human origin and thus their powerlessness compared to the living God (e.g., Psalm 115:4).

Practical Application

While modern society may not typically worship physical idols, the principle of Jeremiah 25:6 remains profoundly relevant. "Other gods" today can take many forms: materialism, career success, personal ambition, relationships, entertainment, or even self-worship—anything that displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our lives. This verse calls believers to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Identify anything that competes for our ultimate loyalty and devotion, and consciously choose to put God first.
  • Seek Exclusive Devotion: Understand that God desires our wholehearted worship and commitment, not just a portion of it.
  • Trust in God's Protection: Recognize that true safety and well-being come from aligning our lives with God's will, as He promises to do "no hurt" to those who walk in obedience. This does not mean an absence of trials, but rather that God's ultimate purpose for us is good and protective when we are faithful to Him (Romans 8:28).
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.

  • Deuteronomy 8:19

    And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

  • Deuteronomy 6:14

    Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which [are] round about you;

  • Jeremiah 35:15

    I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

  • 2 Kings 17:35

    With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:

  • Jeremiah 7:6

    [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

  • Deuteronomy 13:2

    And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

  • Jeremiah 7:9

    Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

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