Jeremiah 4:1

¶ If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

If thou wilt return {H7725}, O Israel {H3478}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, return {H7725} unto me: and if thou wilt put away {H5493} thine abominations {H8251} out of my sight {H6440}, then shalt thou not remove {H5110}.

"Isra'el, if you will return," says ADONAI, "yes, return to me; and if you will banish your abominations from my presence without wandering astray again;

“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver,

If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith Jehovah, if thou wilt return unto me, and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight; then shalt thou not be removed;

Context

Jeremiah 4:1 opens a new section of Jeremiah's prophetic message, following earlier chapters that detail Judah's deep spiritual apostasy and God's lament over their unfaithfulness. The prophet Jeremiah, ministering during a tumultuous period before the Babylonian exile, relentlessly called the people of Judah (often addressed as "Israel," representing the covenant people, including the southern kingdom) to repentance. This verse presents a conditional offer of restoration and security: if the nation genuinely turns back to the LORD and forsakes its idolatrous practices, they will avoid the impending disaster of exile and destruction. It underscores God's persistent desire for His people to return to Him rather than face judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Call to Repentance: The phrase "return unto me" highlights God's initiative and His longing for His people to abandon their sinful ways and re-establish a right relationship with Him. It's a gracious invitation, even in the face of widespread rebellion.
  • Condition for Restoration: The promise "then shalt thou not remove" (meaning, you will not be uprooted, exiled, or destroyed) is directly contingent upon their obedience. God's blessings and protection are tied to their faithfulness to the covenant.
  • Putting Away Abominations: The "abominations" (Hebrew: to'evah) refer specifically to the detestable idolatrous practices and immoral acts that had permeated Judah's society, which were a direct violation of God's law. True repentance requires a decisive and complete separation from these offensive practices, not just outward religious observance. This is a call for a radical break from the detestable practices of the nations around them.
  • God's Patience and Mercy: Despite their persistent backsliding, God still offers a pathway to avoid calamity, demonstrating His enduring patience and willingness to forgive if there is genuine change of heart and action.

Linguistic Insights

The central Hebrew word in this verse is שׁוּב (shuv), translated as "return." This verb is fundamental to the concept of repentance throughout the Old Testament. It signifies a turning around, a change of direction, or a conversion. It implies not just regret for past actions, but a decisive movement away from sin and back towards God. The repetition "If thou wilt return... return unto me" emphasizes the earnestness of God's plea and the need for a complete, internal turning.

The term "abominations," תּוֹעֵבָה (to'evah), denotes something detestable or abhorrent to God, often referring to idolatry, child sacrifice, or other morally repugnant acts that were deeply offensive to His holy character.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 4:1 carries a timeless message that transcends ancient Israel. The call to "return unto me" is relevant for individuals and nations today. It reminds us that:

  • God Desires Repentance: God continually calls humanity to turn from sin and back to Him. He takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked but desires all to repent and live (Ezekiel 18:32).
  • True Repentance Requires Action: It's not enough to feel sorry for sin; genuine repentance involves actively "putting away" the "abominations" from our lives. This means identifying and forsaking behaviors, attitudes, or idols that separate us from God. As the New Testament teaches, repentance leads to refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
  • Obedience Brings Stability: The promise "then shalt thou not remove" suggests that spiritual and even societal stability is a direct result of living in alignment with God's will. Disobedience, conversely, leads to instability and judgment.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace always offers a path to restoration, but it requires a sincere and active turning away from sin and a turning back to Him.

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.

  • Joel 2:12

    ¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

  • Jeremiah 3:22

    Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.

  • Genesis 35:2

    Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

  • Ezekiel 43:9

    Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

  • Jeremiah 3:12

    ¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.

  • Jeremiah 25:5

    They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

  • Jeremiah 3:1

    ¶ They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

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