Jeremiah 32:30

For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have only done evil before me from their youth: for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith the LORD.

For the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} and the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} have only done {H6213} evil {H7451} before {H5869} me from their youth {H5271}: for the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} have only provoked me to anger {H3707} with the work {H4639} of their hands {H3027}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

For from their youth, the people of Isra'el and the people of Y'hudah have done only what is evil from my perspective; the people of Isra'el have done nothing but provoke me with what their hands make,' says ADONAI.

For the children of Israel and of Judah have done nothing but evil in My sight from their youth; indeed, they have done nothing but provoke Me to anger by the work of their hands, declares the LORD.

For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done only that which was evil in my sight from their youth; for the children of Israel have only provoked me to anger with the work of their hands, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:30 powerfully articulates God's long-standing grievance against the nations of Israel and Judah, explaining the divine rationale behind the impending judgment they faced. This verse underscores the deep-rooted and persistent nature of their rebellion against the LORD.

Context

This verse is spoken by God through the prophet Jeremiah during a pivotal and desperate time: the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. Chapter 32 opens with Jeremiah imprisoned, yet God commands him to buy a field, a symbolic act assuring future restoration and the return of the exiled people to their land (Jeremiah 32:15). Amidst this message of hope, verse 30 provides the stark reason for the current devastation: a history of profound unfaithfulness. The "children of Israel" generally refers to the Northern Kingdom (already exiled), while the "children of Judah" refers to the Southern Kingdom, which was facing imminent destruction and exile.

Key Themes

  • Persistent Disobedience: The phrase "from their youth" emphasizes a generational and pervasive pattern of rebellion. It was not a recent deviation but a deep-seated and persistent rebellion, echoing the complaints found in Isaiah 1:4 about a sinful nation.
  • Provocation Through Idolatry: "The work of their hands" primarily points to the creation and worship of idols, which were a direct affront to God's covenant commands. This persistent idolatry, a 'work of their hands,' directly violated the first commandments, as warned in Exodus 20:4. Their actions, including child sacrifice and false worship, consistently provoked God's righteous anger.
  • Divine Righteous Anger: The LORD's anger is not capricious but a just and holy response to their continuous, willful rejection of Him and their covenant with Him. It signifies His commitment to justice and righteousness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "provoked me to anger" (ka'as) conveys a strong sense of vexation, indignation, and grief caused by their actions. It highlights God's emotional and righteous response to their betrayal and consistent disobedience. "The work of their hands" is a stark, literal reference to their self-made gods and the sinful deeds they performed, often in connection with pagan worship.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder that God observes human actions and responds to persistent sin. It underscores the importance of genuine worship and obedience, warning against any form of modern "idolatry" that replaces devotion to God with other pursuits or allegiances. It also highlights God's unwavering justice, even as His ultimate plan includes redemption and restoration for those who turn to Him. The history of Israel and Judah's rebellion teaches us that true peace and security come only from faithfulness to God, not from human efforts or false gods.

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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

  • Jeremiah 7:22

    For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

  • Jeremiah 7:26

    Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.

  • Genesis 8:21

    And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

  • Jeremiah 25:7

    Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.

  • Jeremiah 3:25

    We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

  • Deuteronomy 9:7

    ¶ Remember, [and] forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 9:12

    And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted [themselves]; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
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