Jeremiah 3:10

KJV

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And yet for all this her treacherous {H901} sister {H269} Judah {H3063} hath not turned {H7725} unto me with her whole heart {H3820}, but feignedly {H8267}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Y'hudah has not returned to me wholeheartedly; she only makes a pretense of it," said ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not returned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 3:10 delivers a stark divine indictment against the Southern Kingdom of Judah, portraying her as a "treacherous sister" who, despite witnessing the severe judgment and exile of the Northern Kingdom of Israel for its idolatry, failed to genuinely repent. The verse underscores Judah's profound spiritual hypocrisy, revealing that her outward displays of turning back to the LORD were not rooted in a sincere, wholehearted devotion but were merely a deceptive, superficial pretense, deeply grieving the heart of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 3:10 is situated within a profound prophetic lament and call to repentance that spans [Jeremiah 3](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - A Call to Repentance"). In the preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 3:6-8](/jeremiah/3-6-8 "Jeremiah 3:6-8 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery and Divorce"), the LORD recounts the spiritual adultery of "backsliding Israel" (the Northern Kingdom) through pervasive idolatry, which ultimately led to her "divorce" and exile by Assyria. Judah, referred to as Israel's "treacherous sister," observed this divine judgment but failed to internalize the severe lesson. Instead of genuine contrition and a sincere return to the LORD, Judah's response was marked by an even deeper level of insincerity, making her culpability greater than Israel's in God's eyes, as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 3:11](/jeremiah/3-11 "Jeremiah 3:11 - Judah's Greater Guilt"). This verse thus serves as a pivotal point, shifting the prophetic focus from Israel's past unfaithfulness to Judah's present, more insidious, and hypocritical spiritual condition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Judah, though still nominally independent, was caught between the waning power of Assyria and the rising might of Babylon, grappling with political instability and spiritual decline. Spiritually, the nation was steeped in syncretism, outwardly maintaining temple worship while secretly engaging in idolatrous practices, even within the sacred precincts. The concept of "sister" here reflects the shared heritage and covenant relationship of the two kingdoms, both direct descendants of Jacob and inheritors of Abrahamic promises. Culturally, a "whole heart" (Hebrew: *lêb*) signifies complete devotion, encompassing intellect, emotion, and will, contrasting sharply with the superficiality and duplicity of Judah's actions. The judgment on Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in 722 BCE by Assyria was a recent and vivid historical warning that Judah, despite its proximity and shared lineage, chose to tragically ignore, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 3:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Disappointment and Grief**, as the LORD expresses profound sorrow over His people's persistent unfaithfulness, particularly Judah's deceptive turning. This highlights God's desire for a genuine, covenantal relationship, not mere external compliance or ritualistic adherence. Another crucial theme is **Hypocrisy and Insincerity**, which is the central charge against Judah. Their "feigned" repentance exposes the grave danger of outward religious performance devoid of inner transformation, a recurring prophetic critique found in passages like [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Honoring with Lips, Not Heart") and [Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Honoring with Lips, Not Heart"). The verse also implicitly defines **True Repentance** by contrasting it with Judah's false turning, emphasizing that God seeks a return "with her whole heart," encompassing one's entire being, echoing calls for inner renewal seen in [Deuteronomy 30:6](/deuteronomy/30-6 "Deuteronomy 30:6 - Circumcision of the Heart") and [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Tear Your Hearts, Not Your Garments"). Finally, the theme of **Warning from History** is starkly presented, as Judah's failure to learn from Israel's devastating judgment underscores the severe consequences of ignoring divine warnings and persisting in unfaithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root (H7725) is foundational in the Old Testament, meaning "to turn back," "return," or "repent." It can be transitive or intransitive, literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies a turning back to God, implying a change of direction from disobedience to obedience, from idolatry to covenant faithfulness. The negative "hath not turned" emphasizes Judah's failure to execute this essential action genuinely, highlighting their continued spiritual deviation and resistance to divine appeal.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This term (H3820) represents the innermost being of a person—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and moral character. When combined with "whole" (as in "whole heart"), it denotes complete, undivided devotion and sincerity. God desires a turning that originates from the deepest core of one's being, encompassing all affections and intentions, not merely outward actions or superficial compliance. Judah's failure to turn with her "whole heart" reveals a profound internal corruption and a lack of true love and commitment to the LORD.
* **feignedly (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to lie" or "to deceive," this word (H8267) signifies an untruth, falsehood, or sham. When applied to Judah's turning, it dramatically exposes the deceptive and insincere nature of their repentance. Their actions were a pretense, a lie, an outward show designed to appear righteous while their inner disposition remained rebellious and uncommitted to God. This term underscores the depth of Judah's spiritual corruption and the offensive nature of their hypocrisy to a God who seeks truth in the inward parts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And yet for all this":** This phrase serves as a crucial connective, linking Judah's actions directly to the preceding account of Israel's judgment. It implies that despite the clear and devastating consequences witnessed by Judah regarding Israel's unfaithfulness (their "divorce" and exile), Judah still failed to learn or respond appropriately, demonstrating a willful disregard for divine discipline.
* **"her treacherous sister Judah":** Judah is characterized as "treacherous" (H901, *bâgôwd*), indicating a profound betrayal of trust and covenant. The familial term "sister" (H269, *ʼâchôwth*) highlights the close relationship and shared spiritual heritage with Israel, making Judah's treachery even more egregious, as she should have been a loyal companion and learned from Israel's devastating mistakes.
* **"hath not turned unto me with her whole heart":** This is the core accusation and the heart of God's complaint. Judah's failure was not merely a lack of turning, but a failure to turn with the necessary depth and sincerity. God desires complete, undivided devotion, a repentance that emanates from the very core of one's being (the "whole heart," H3820, *lêb*), encompassing genuine sorrow for sin and a sincere desire to obey. Judah's turning was conspicuously lacking this vital, internal element.
* **"but feignedly, saith the LORD":** This concluding phrase reveals the true, deceptive nature of Judah's "turning"—it was a lie, a deception, a superficial performance. The addition of "saith the LORD" (H5002, *nᵉʼum*, an oracle from H3068, *Yᵉhôvâh*) emphasizes that this is a divine pronouncement, God's own authoritative and sorrowful assessment of Judah's spiritual condition. It underscores His omniscience and His deep disappointment with their pretense, highlighting that their hypocrisy was an affront to His holy character.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 3:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of Israel and Judah as "sisters," which humanizes the nations and emphasizes their shared lineage and covenant relationship with God, making Judah's betrayal all the more poignant and morally culpable. The verse also utilizes stark **Contrast** by juxtaposing God's desire for a turning "with her whole heart" against Judah's actual response, which was "feignedly." This highlights the vast chasm between divine expectation and human failure, underscoring the depth of Judah's spiritual duplicity. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," functions as a **Divine Oracle** or a prophetic formula, lending absolute authority and divine weight to the accusation. This direct address from God emphasizes His personal grief and disappointment, transforming the indictment from a mere human observation into a sacred, unassailable pronouncement. The verse also carries a strong element of **Irony**, as Judah, having witnessed the devastating consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness, paradoxically repeats the same errors, albeit with a deceptive outward appearance of piety, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 3:10 profoundly articulates God's unwavering demand for genuine, internal repentance, contrasting it sharply with superficial religious performance. It reveals that God is not deceived by outward displays of piety or mere cessation of sin if the heart remains unchanged. The LORD desires a relationship founded on truth, sincerity, and wholehearted devotion, a covenant fidelity that permeates every aspect of one's being. Judah's "feigned" turning underscores the grave danger of hypocrisy, which is not only ineffective in restoring a relationship with God but is also deeply offensive to Him. This verse serves as a timeless theological principle: true faith and obedience are matters of the heart, not just external ritual or political maneuvering. God seeks an authentic, undivided heart that truly turns to Him in love and submission.

* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Tear Your Hearts, Not Your Garments")
* [Psalm 51:6](/psalms/51-6 "Psalm 51:6 - Truth in the Inward Parts")
* [Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Honoring with Lips, Not Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 3:10 stands as a timeless mirror for believers, challenging us to scrutinize the authenticity of our own faith and devotion. In an age often characterized by outward appearances, curated personas, and superficial engagement, this verse powerfully reminds us that God sees beyond the façade. It compels us to ask: Is my commitment to God truly "whole-hearted," or are there areas where my faith is merely "feigned," a performance for others, or a superficial adherence to religious norms without genuine inner transformation? True spiritual health is not measured by outward activity, public declarations, or even theological correctness, but by the sincerity of our hearts before the LORD. This verse calls us to a radical honesty, urging us to dismantle any hypocrisy within ourselves and to cultivate a deep, integrated faith where our private devotion matches our public profession. It encourages us to seek a relationship with God that is rooted in truth, love, and complete surrender, knowing that He desires our hearts above all else, and that only such a genuine turning can bring true spiritual flourishing and divine favor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my faith be more "feigned" than "whole-hearted," and what specific steps can I take to address this?**
* **What does "turning with my whole heart" practically look like in my daily walk with God, beyond mere religious duties?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sincerity and authenticity in my prayer life, worship, and service, ensuring my inner disposition aligns with my outward actions?**
* **Considering Judah's failure to learn from Israel, what historical or personal lessons am I currently ignoring that God might be using to call me to deeper repentance?**

### FAQ
**What does "feignedly" mean in the context of Jeremiah 3:10, and why is it so significant?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 3:10, "feignedly" translates the Hebrew word *sheqer* (H8267), which means "untruth," "falsehood," or "deception." Its significance lies in revealing the profound spiritual hypocrisy of Judah. Despite outward appearances or perhaps even temporary reforms, their turning to God was not genuine. It was a lie, a pretense, an insincere act that lacked true repentance and wholehearted devotion. This is deeply significant because God desires truth in the inward parts, as seen in [Psalm 51:6](/psalms/51-6 "Psalm 51:6 - Truth in the Inward Parts"). Judah's feigned turning indicates a failure to learn from Israel's judgment and a deeper level of spiritual rebellion, as they attempted to deceive God Himself, who sees the heart and demands authenticity, not mere ritual.

**Why is Judah referred to as "her treacherous sister," and what does this imply about her guilt?**

Answer: Judah is called "her treacherous sister" because of her shared lineage and covenant relationship with Israel (the Northern Kingdom), both descended from Jacob and part of God's chosen people. The term "treacherous" (H901, *bâgôwd*) implies a betrayal of trust and loyalty, particularly within a familial or covenantal bond. This designation is highly significant because Judah had the distinct advantage of witnessing Israel's devastating judgment and exile (as described in [Jeremiah 3:6-8](/jeremiah/3-6-8 "Jeremiah 3:6-8 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery and Divorce")) due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. Despite seeing the consequences of sin played out in their "sister," Judah failed to heed the warning. Instead, they continued in their own idolatry and unfaithfulness, often with a deceptive outward show of piety. This makes Judah's guilt even greater than Israel's, as she sinned with full knowledge of the divine consequences, demonstrating a more profound and deliberate betrayal of the LORD, as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 3:11](/jeremiah/3-11 "Jeremiah 3:11 - Judah's Greater Guilt").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 3:10, with its indictment of Judah's "feigned" and "treacherous" turning, powerfully foreshadows the necessity of a new covenant and the transformative work of Christ. The Old Covenant, though righteous in its demands, could not change the human heart, leading to repeated cycles of unfaithfulness and superficial obedience, as tragically exemplified by Judah's failure to turn with her "whole heart." This highlights humanity's desperate need for a divine intervention that could truly transform the inner being, addressing the root of sin. Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet and the embodiment of perfect obedience, fulfills this need. He not only condemned the very hypocrisy and outward religiosity that Jeremiah lamented among the religious leaders of His day (e.g., [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")), but He also inaugurated the New Covenant promised in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ provides the means for true, whole-hearted repentance and forgiveness of sins, enabling a genuine return to God. Furthermore, the indwelling Holy Spirit, poured out after Christ's ascension, empowers believers to obey God from the heart, writing His law not on tablets of stone but on the "fleshly tablets of the heart" ([2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters on Hearts")), thus fulfilling the promise of a "new heart and a new spirit" ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). What Judah failed to do—turn with a whole heart—is made possible for believers through union with Christ and the regenerating power of His Spirit, enabling authentic and sincere devotion that pleases God.

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

Hosea 7:14

And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me.

Jeremiah 12:2

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Isaiah 10:6

I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Psalms 18:44

As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.

2 Chronicles 34:33

And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 35:18

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Psalms 66:3

Say unto God, How terrible [art thou in] thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.