Jeremiah 4:4

KJV

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.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 4:4 is situated within a series of prophetic warnings and calls to repentance that dominate the early chapters of Jeremiah's ministry. Chapters 2-6 primarily address Judah's idolatry, spiritual apostasy, and covenant unfaithfulness, contrasting their rebellion with God's steadfast love and patience. This specific verse acts as a climactic plea within a broader section (Jeremiah 4:1-4) that outlines the conditions for averting divine judgment. It immediately follows a conditional promise of restoration if Judah truly repents and removes their detestable things, as outlined in [Jeremiah 4:1](/jeremiah/4-1 "Jeremiah 4:1 - Conditions for Repentance"). This emphasizes that outward actions must stem from an inward change. The warning of unquenchable fire in [Jeremiah 4:4](/jeremiah/4-4 "Jeremiah 4:4 - Circumcision of the Heart") foreshadows the detailed descriptions of impending invasion and devastation found in the subsequent verses of [Jeremiah 4](/jeremiah/4 "Jeremiah 4 - Impending Judgment and Call to Repentance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of Babylon. Judah, caught between these superpowers, often vacillated in its political and religious alliances. King Josiah's reforms (c. 622 BCE) had attempted to purge idolatry and restore covenant fidelity, but by the time of Jeremiah's active ministry (post-Josiah's death), much of the reform was superficial, and the people had largely reverted to syncretistic practices and moral corruption. Physical circumcision was the foundational sign of the Abrahamic covenant, distinguishing Israel as God's chosen people, as detailed in [Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9-14 "Genesis 17:9-14 - The Sign of Circumcision"). However, over centuries, it had become a ritualistic badge of identity rather than a symbol of heartfelt devotion and obedience. Jeremiah's message directly confronts this spiritual complacency, asserting that external markers of faith are meaningless without an internal reality.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to Jeremiah's prophecy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **necessity of internal transformation over external ritualism**. God desires a genuine, heartfelt relationship, not merely outward adherence to religious laws or ceremonies. This call for "circumcision of the heart" echoes earlier Mosaic commands found in [Deuteronomy 10:16](/deuteronomy/10-16 "Deuteronomy 10:16 - Circumcise the Foreskin of Your Heart") and [Deuteronomy 30:6](/deuteronomy/30-6 "Deuteronomy 30:6 - Circumcision of the Heart for Love"). Secondly, it underscores the **sovereignty and holiness of God** and the **inevitability of divine judgment** for unrepentant sin. The imagery of "fury... like fire" emphasizes the severity and destructive power of God's righteous anger against persistent rebellion. Finally, the verse implicitly touches upon the theme of **covenant faithfulness and apostasy**, as Judah's failure to maintain their end of the covenant through heartfelt obedience is the direct cause of the impending judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Circumcise (Hebrew, _mûwl'_):** This primitive root means "to cut short, i.e., curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e., to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy." In Jeremiah 4:4, the verb is used reflexively ("circumcise yourselves"), emphasizing that this is an action the people must undertake for themselves. Its figurative application here to the "heart" signifies a radical internal cutting away of spiritual impurity, stubbornness, and resistance to God's will, rather than a mere physical act.
* **Foreskins (Hebrew, _ʻorlâh'_):** This feminine noun refers to "the prepuce" or "foreskin," and figuratively, "uncircumcised." In the context of the "foreskins of your heart," it represents spiritual insensitivity, impurity, hardness, and a closed will that resists divine truth and commands. To "take away" or remove this spiritual foreskin means to purify, open, and dedicate one's innermost being—intellect, will, and emotions—entirely to God, making it receptive to His instruction.
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this noun figuratively denotes "anger, poison (from its fever)." It describes intense, burning indignation or rage. In this verse, it vividly portrays the fierce, consuming wrath of God that will "come forth like fire" if the people fail to undergo the prescribed spiritual transformation, highlighting the severe and unavoidable consequences of their unrepentant evil.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart":** This opening command is a profound spiritual imperative. It moves beyond the physical ritual of circumcision—the sign of the Abrahamic covenant—to demand an internal, moral, and spiritual transformation. "To the LORD" signifies that this act of purification is for His honor, for covenant fidelity, and for the purpose of true relationship with Him. The "foreskins of your heart" is a powerful metaphor for spiritual dullness, stubbornness, and resistance to God's word and will. It implies a need to remove anything that hinders a full, pure, and receptive devotion to God from one's innermost being (the heart being the seat of intellect, will, and emotion).
* **"ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem":** This direct address specifies the audience of Jeremiah's prophecy. It targets the entire populace of the southern kingdom, particularly those residing in the capital city, highlighting their collective responsibility and culpability in the nation's spiritual decline. It emphasizes that this call for repentance is for everyone, from the leaders to the common people.
* **"lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench [it]":** This clause presents the dire consequence of failing to heed the call for heart-circumcision. "My fury" refers to God's righteous indignation, which is likened to "fire"—a common biblical metaphor for divine judgment that is consuming, purifying, and destructive to all that opposes God's holiness. The phrase "none can quench it" underscores the irresistibility and finality of this judgment once it is unleashed, indicating that human efforts will be utterly futile against God's wrath.
* **"because of the evil of your doings":** This concluding phrase provides the explicit reason for the impending divine wrath. It directly links the judgment to the "evil of your doings," emphasizing that God's fury is not arbitrary but a just response to their persistent wickedness, disobedience, and moral corruption. It highlights the principle of divine justice, where actions have consequences.

#### 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.

* [Deuteronomy 30:6](/deuteronomy/30-6 "Deuteronomy 30:6 - Circumcision of the Heart for Love")
* [Romans 2:28-29](/romans/2-28-29 "Romans 2:28-29 - True Circumcision of the Heart")
* [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")

### 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
* **What "foreskins of the heart" might I need to "take away" in my own life to be more fully devoted to the Lord?**
* **How might I be prioritizing outward religious practices over genuine, inward transformation?**
* **In what areas of my life am I still resistant to God's will, and what steps can I take to cultivate a more receptive heart?**

### 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](/deuteronomy/10-16 "Deuteronomy 10:16 - Circumcise the Foreskin of Your Heart"), 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](/isaiah/66-24 "Isaiah 66:24 - Unquenchable Fire").

### 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](/romans/2-29 "Romans 2:29 - True Circumcision")). Through Christ's atoning work, believers are spiritually circumcised, having their sinful nature "cut away" in Him ([Colossians 2:11-12](/colossians/2-11-12 "Colossians 2:11-12 - Circumcision of Christ")). 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](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). 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](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Salvation")). 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](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")), making the spiritual circumcision a reality for all who are "in Christ Jesus" ([Philippians 3:3](/philippians/3-3 "Philippians 3:3 - True Worship in the Spirit")).

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

Deuteronomy 10:16

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Romans 2:28

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Romans 2:29

But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.

Colossians 2:11

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Deuteronomy 30:6

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

Jeremiah 9:26

Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all [that are] in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all [these] nations [are] uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel [are] uncircumcised in the heart.

Jeremiah 21:12

O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver [him that is] spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench [it], because of the evil of your doings.