TRV
Translation
King James Version
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
KJV (with Strong's)
Circumcise H4135 yourselves to the LORD H3068, and take away H5493 the foreskins H6190 of your heart H3824, ye men H376 of Judah H3063 and inhabitants H3427 of Jerusalem H3389: lest my fury H2534 come forth H3318 like fire H784, and burn H1197 that none can quench H3518 it, because H6440 of the evil H7455 of your doings H4611.
Complete Jewish Bible
"People of Y'hudah and inhabitants of Yerushalayim, circumcise yourselves for ADONAI, remove the foreskins of your heart! Otherwise my fury will lash out like fire, burning so hot that no one can quench it, because of how evil your actions are.
Berean Standard Bible
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”
American Standard Version
Circumcise yourselves to Jehovah, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn so that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
World English Bible Messianic
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go out like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Breake vp your fallowe ground, and sowe not among the thornes: be circumcised to the Lord, and take away the foreskinnes of your hearts, ye men of Iudah, and inhabitants of Ierusalem, lest my wrath come foorth like fire, and burne, that none can quenche it, because of the wickednesse of your inuentions.
Young's Literal Translation
Be circumcised to Jehovah, And turn aside the foreskins of your heart, O man of Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury go out as fire, and hath burned, And there is none quenching, Because of the evil of your doings.
See also
In the KJVVerse 19,032 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 4 verses 3–4
3 ¶ For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
The prophet here turns his speech, in God's name, to the men of the place where he lived. We have heard what words he proclaimed towards the north (Jer 3:12), for the comfort of those that were now in captivity and were humbled under the hand of God; let us now see what he says to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, who were now in prosperity, for their conviction and awakening. In these two verses he exhorts them to repentance and reformation, as the only way left them to prevent the desolating judgments that were ready to break in upon them. Observe,
I. The duties required of them, which they are concerned to do.
1.They must do by their hearts as they do by their ground that they expect any good of; they must plough it up (Jer 4:3): "Break up your fallow-ground. Plough to yourselves a ploughing (or plough up your plough land), that you sow not among thorns, that you may not labour in vain, for your own safety and welfare, as those do that sow good seed among thorns and as you have been doing a great while. Put yourselves into a frame fit to receive mercy from God, and put away all that which keeps it from you, and then you may expect to receive mercy and to prosper in your endeavours to help yourselves." Note, (1.) An unconvinced unhumbled heart is like fallow-ground, ground untilled, unoccupied. It is ground capable of improvement; it is our ground, let out to us, and we must be accountable for it; but it is fallow; it is unfenced and lies common; it is unfruitful and of no advantage to the owner, and (which is principally intended) it is overgrown with thorns and weeds, which are the natural product of the corrupt heart; and, if it be not renewed with grace, rain and sunshine are lost upon it, Heb 6:7, Heb 6:8. (2.) We are concerned to get this fallow-ground ploughed up. We must search into our own hearts, let the word of God divide (as the plough does) between the joints and the marrow, Heb 4:12. We must rend our hearts, Joe 2:13. We must pluck up by the roots those corruptions which, as thorns, choke both our endeavours and our expectations, Hos 10:12.
2.They must do that to their souls which was done to their bodies when they were taken into covenant with God (Jer 4:4): "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskin of your heart. Mortify the flesh and the lusts of it. Pare off that superfluity of naughtiness which hinders your receiving with meekness the engrafted word, Jam 1:21. Boast not of, and rest not in, the circumcision of the body, for that is but a sign, and will not serve without the thing signified. It is a dedicating sign. Do that in sincerity which was done in profession by your circumcision; devote and consecrate yourselves unto the Lord, to be to him a peculiar people. Circumcision is an obligation to keep the law; lay yourselves afresh under that obligation. It is a seal of the righteousness of faith; lay hold then of that righteousness, and so circumcise yourselves to the Lord."
II. The danger they are threatened with, which they are concerned to avoid. Repent and reform, lest my fury come forth like fire, which it is now ready to do, as that fire which came forth from the Lord and consumed the sacrifices, and which was always kept burning upon the altar and none might quench it; such is God's wrath against impenitent sinners, because of the evil of their doings. Note, 1. That which is to be dreaded by us more than any thing else is the wrath of God; for that is the spring and bitterness of all present miseries and will be the quintessence and perfection of everlasting misery. 2. It is the evil of our doings that kindles the fire of God's wrath against us. 3. The consideration of the imminent danger we are in of falling and perishing under this wrath should awaken us with all possible care to sanctify ourselves to God's glory and to see to it that we be sanctified by his grace.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 3–4. Public domain.
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Epistle of BarnabasAD 132
The Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter IX
He speaks moreover concerning our ears, how He hath circumcised both them and our heart. The Lord saith in the prophet, "In the hearing of the ear they obeyed me." And again He saith, "By hearing, those shall hear who are afar off; they shall know what I have done." And, "Be ye circumcised in your hearts, saith the Lord." ... Therefore He hath circumcised our ears, that we might hear His word and believe, for the circumcision in which they trusted is abolished. For He declared that circumcision was not of the flesh, but they transgressed because an evil angel deluded them. He saith to them, "These things saith the Lord your God"-(here I find a new commandment)-"Sow not among thorns, but circumcise yourselves to the Lord." And why speaks He thus: "Circumcise the stubbornness of your heart, and harden not your neck?" And again: "Behold, saith the Lord, all the nations are uncircumcised in the flesh, but this people are uncircumcised in heart."
TertullianAD 220
AN ANSWER TO THE JEWS 3
This was God’s forethought: He gave circumcision to Israel, as a sign by which they might be identified when the time should arrive that their above-mentioned reward should prevent them from entering Jerusalem. This situation, because it would come to be, was announced. Because we see it accomplished, we recognize it. Just as the physical circumcision, which was temporary, was made to be “a sign” in a rebellious people, so spiritual circumcision has been given for salvation to an obedient people.The prophet Jeremiah says, “Renew yourselves, and do not sow among thorns. Be circumcised to God, and circumcise the foreskin of your heart,” and in another place he says, “Behold, days shall come, the Lord says, when I will draw up for the house of Judah and for the house of Jacob a new testament; not such as I once gave their fathers in the day that I led them out from the land of Egypt.”
TertullianAD 220
AGAINST MARCION 1.20
Paul mentioned “certain false brethren as having crept in secretly,” who wished to turn the Galatians to another gospel. He shows that that adulteration of the gospel was not meant to transfer them to the faith of another god and christ, but rather to perpetuate the teaching of the law. He blames them for maintaining circumcision and observing times, and days, and months and years, according to those Jewish ceremonies that they ought to have known were now abolished, according to the new dispensation willed by the Creator, who foretold in ancient times this very thing by his prophets. Thus he says by Isaiah: “Old things have passed away. Behold, I will do a new thing.” And in another passage: “I will make a new covenant, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.” In the same he said by Jeremiah: Make to yourselves a new covenant, “circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart.” It is this circumcision, therefore, and this renewal, that the apostle insisted on when he forbade those ancient ceremonies concerning which their very founder announced that they were one day to cease.
Didascalia ApostolorumAD 230
DIDASCALIA 24.[6:12]
Circumcision of the heart is sufficient for the faithful. It is spiritual, as he said by Jeremiah; light a lamp and “sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord. Remove the foreskin of your hearts, O MEN OF JUDAH.”
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON JEREMIAH 4:4.2
Note the kindness and severity of God. For he is not kind without being severe or severe without being kind. For if he were only kind and not severe, we would not think much of his kindness. If he were severe and not kind, perhaps we would also despair in our sins. But God is both a kind and a severe God—for we who repent need his kindness, but those of us who persist in sins need his severity.
CyprianAD 258
Treatise XII. Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews 1:8
The first circumcision of the flesh is made void, and the second circumcision of the spirit is promised instead. In Jeremiah, “Thus says the Lord to the men of Judah, and to them who inhabit Jerusalem, ‘Renew newness among you, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise the foreskin of your heart lest my anger go forth like fire, and burn you up, and there be none to extinguish it.’ ”
Cyril of JerusalemAD 386
Catechetical Lecture 5:6
Let us see, then, how Abraham is the father of many nations. We confess that he is the father of Jews, through descent according to the flesh. But if we hold to the descent according to the flesh, we are forced to say that the prophecy was false. For he is no longer father of us all according to the flesh. Yet the example of his faith makes us all children of Abraham. How and in what manner? With people it is unbelievable that one should rise from the dead. In the same way, it is also unbelievable that there should be offspring from aged persons as good as dead. Yet when Christ is preached as having been crucified on the tree, as having died and risen again, we believe it. By the likeness of our faith, therefore, we become the adopted children of Abraham. And consequently by our faith, like him, we receive the spiritual seal, being circumcised by the Holy Spirit through the font of baptism, not in the foreskin of the body, but in the heart, according to the words of Jeremiah: “For the sake of the Lord, be circumcised, remove the foreskins of your hearts.” And according to the apostle: In the “circumcision that is of Christ, buried together with him in baptism,” and so forth.
JeromeAD 420
SIX BOOKS ON JEREMIAH 1:70.1-4
What we translate as “be circumcised to the Lord and remove the foreskin of your hearts,” Symmacus renders as “be purified to the Lord and remove the malice from your hearts,” understanding circumcision as purification and the foreskin as vice. But this was commanded to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, who followed the true faith and lived in the church, that they not sow among thorns, meaning that they should not spread the word of the gospel among those who would suffocate God’s planting, but that they should first sow on fallow ground and remove every thorn bush and briar patch, so that pure seeds may be received by pure soil. In other words, as it is said elsewhere, “Do not cast your pearls before swine, and do not give holy things to dogs.” For how is it possible for anyone to hear the word of God and to conceive and to bear fruit, whose soul is full of the hardness of the world? Hence, “be circumcised to the Lord and remove the foreskin of your hearts,” is commanded to none other than the men of Judah and residents of Jerusalem, that they might forsake the letter that kills and follow the vivifying Spirit instead. “If you fail to do this,” he adds, “my wrath will go forth like fire and burn, and there will be no one to extinguish it.” Therefore, he warns and cautions beforehand, lest he be compelled to do this, as we also observe among the Ninevites, to whom a warning was issued that they repent to avoid his imminent wrath. But all of this evil occurs because of our malicious thoughts or intentions. Where are those who say that sin is not located in one’s thoughts, when every wickedness, according to the truth of the Gospel, proceeds from the heart?
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Jeremiah
(Verse 3 and following.) For thus says the Lord to the man of Judah and Jerusalem: Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my fury go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your thoughts (or inventions). For we have said, Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and remove the foreskins of your hearts. Symmachus adds, Purify yourselves to the Lord, and remove the evil of your hearts: understanding circumcision, purification, and the foreskins to be a vice. But this is commanded to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, who follow the true faith and dwell in the Church, that they should not sow upon the thorns which the Gospel speech signifies, which choke the seed of God, but first make the field new and uproot all the brambles, and remove the thistles, so that clean seeds may receive clean fields. This is what is said in another place: Do not cast your pearls before swine, and do not give what is holy to dogs (Matthew 7:6). For how can someone hear the word of God and conceive seeds and bear fruit, whose soul is full of the tribulations of the world? And what follows: Circumcise yourselves to the Lord and remove the foreskins of your hearts. This is commanded to no one else except the man of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that they may abandon the letter that kills and follow the life-giving spirit. For if you do not do this, my wrath will go forth like fire, and it will be kindled, and there will be no one to extinguish it. Therefore he warns and predicts beforehand so that he is not compelled to act: which we confirm in the case of the Ninevites, to whom the sentence was predicted, so that they would avoid the impending wrath through repentance. However, all these things happen due to the wickedness of your (or our) thoughts or inventions. Where are those who say in their thoughts that there is no sin, when all vices, according to Gospel truth, proceed from the heart (Matthew 15)?
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
ON JEREMIAH 1:4.4
He clearly brought out that the visible circumcision is a type of the invisible, and that if there is circumcision within, bodily circumcision is unnecessary. Taking a lead from this text, the divine apostle wrote to the Romans, “A person is not a Jew, you see, who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision what is outward, in the flesh; rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit and not in letter. That person’s commendation comes not from people but from God.”
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 4:4 delivers a powerful prophetic summons to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, urging them to undergo a profound spiritual transformation symbolized by the "circumcision of the heart." This divine command transcends mere ritualistic observance, calling for an internal purification and dedication to the Lord. The verse underscores the critical necessity of genuine repentance and inner renewal, warning that a failure to heed this call will inevitably unleash God's fierce, unquenchable wrath as a consequence of their persistent evil deeds.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 4:4 is rich in Metaphor, most notably the command to "take away the foreskins of your heart." This powerful image extends the physical sign of covenant identity (circumcision) to the spiritual realm, symbolizing the need to remove spiritual impurity, stubbornness, and resistance to God's will. The "heart" here is a Synecdoche for the entire inner person—intellect, will, and emotions. The verse also employs a vivid Simile when describing God's impending wrath: "lest my fury come forth like fire." This comparison effectively conveys the consuming, destructive, and irresistible nature of divine judgment. The phrase "come forth" can also be seen as a subtle form of Personification, giving an active, almost living quality to God's fury as it emerges to execute judgment. The overall tone is one of urgent Warning and Exhortation, characteristic of prophetic literature, designed to provoke immediate repentance and avert catastrophe.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 4:4 stands as a pivotal Old Testament text articulating the profound truth that God's covenant demands an internal transformation, not merely external conformity. It reveals that the true essence of Israel's relationship with Yahweh was always intended to be one of heartfelt devotion and obedience, foreshadowing the New Covenant emphasis on an inward law written on the heart. This spiritual circumcision is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch and prophets, emphasizing that ritual without righteousness is an abomination to God. It highlights God's unwavering holiness and His just response to unrepentant sin, demonstrating that His patience has limits and His judgment is a righteous consequence of human rebellion. The unquenchable fire imagery not only warns of temporal judgment (like the Babylonian exile) but also points to the ultimate, eternal consequences of rejecting God's call to repentance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 4:4 presents a timeless challenge to all who claim to follow God: Is our faith merely external, or does it stem from a deeply transformed heart? This verse calls us to move beyond superficial religious observance to a genuine, internal purification. It demands an honest self-assessment, urging us to identify and "cut away" any spiritual "foreskins"—areas of stubbornness, pride, insensitivity, or unyielded will that resist God's truth and commands. This is an ongoing process of repentance and surrender, allowing the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts and make them fully receptive to God's voice. The stark warning of "unquenchable fire" serves as a sober reminder of the gravity of spiritual apathy and persistent rebellion, underscoring that God's justice is as real as His grace. For believers today, it means pursuing authentic devotion, where our actions flow from a heart fully consecrated to the Lord, seeking His will above all else.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "circumcise yourselves to the LORD" mean spiritually?
Answer: Spiritually, "circumcise yourselves to the LORD" means to undergo a radical internal purification and dedication of one's heart, mind, and will to God. It's a call to remove spiritual "foreskins," which symbolize inner stubbornness, resistance to God's word, impurity, and anything that hinders a full, loving, and obedient relationship with Him. It signifies a decisive turning away from self-reliance and sin, choosing instead to align one's deepest desires and intentions with God's covenant demands. This concept is echoed in Deuteronomy 10:16, where Moses calls Israel to "circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked."
Why is God's "fury" described as "fire that none can quench"?
Answer: God's "fury" being described as "fire that none can quench" emphasizes the intensity, consuming power, and irresistibility of His righteous judgment. Fire is a common biblical metaphor for divine wrath, signifying its purifying and destructive nature. The phrase "none can quench it" highlights that once God's judgment is unleashed due to persistent sin and unrepentance, no human effort or intervention can stop or mitigate its effects. It underscores the severity of the consequences for rejecting God's call to repentance and neglecting true spiritual transformation, as seen in other prophetic warnings like Isaiah 66:24.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's call for the "circumcision of the heart" finds its ultimate fulfillment and true possibility in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant's physical sign and its spiritual imperative pointed forward to a new reality where genuine heart transformation is made possible not by human effort or ritual, but by divine intervention through Christ. The New Testament teaches that true circumcision is not external but "a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code" (Romans 2:29). Through Christ's atoning work, believers are spiritually circumcised, having their sinful nature "cut away" in Him (Colossians 2:11-12). The "foreskins of the heart" are removed not by self-exertion, but by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, who imparts a new heart and a new spirit, enabling true obedience and love for God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Thus, Jeremiah's warning of unquenchable fire for unrepentant evil is also fulfilled in Christ, who bore the wrath of God on the cross, offering salvation to all who believe and are thus freed from the condemnation of that fire (John 3:16). The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ, promises that God will put His laws into their minds and write them on their hearts (Hebrews 8:10), making the spiritual circumcision a reality for all who are "in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:3).