But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
But this people {H5971} hath a revolting {H5637} and a rebellious {H4784} heart {H3820}; they are revolted {H5493} and gone {H3212}.
But this people has a rebellious, defiant heart; they have rebelled and gone!
But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away.
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
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Jeremiah 6:28
They [are] all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: [they are] brass and iron; they [are] all corrupters. -
Deuteronomy 21:18
¶ If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and [that], when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: -
Hosea 11:7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him]. -
Psalms 95:10
Forty years long was I grieved with [this] generation, and said, It [is] a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: -
Isaiah 31:6
¶ Turn ye unto [him from] whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. -
Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. -
Jeremiah 5:5
I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, [and] the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, [and] burst the bonds.
Jeremiah 5:23 describes the deep-seated spiritual condition of the people of Judah during the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, highlighting the pervasive rebellion that characterized their relationship with God. This verse is a poignant summary of their persistent disobedience, which ultimately led to divine judgment and the Babylonian exile.
Context
This verse is situated within a series of indictments against Judah and Jerusalem, where God, through Jeremiah, exposes their widespread moral corruption, idolatry, and refusal to heed prophetic warnings. Despite God's patience and numerous calls to repentance, the nation had become entrenched in sin. Jeremiah's mission was to call them back to faithfulness, but this verse underscores the futility of his efforts due to their inherent spiritual stubbornness. The "people" here refers specifically to the inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah, whose actions mirrored the long history of Israel's unfaithfulness, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 31:27.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV uses strong, evocative language to convey the severity of their condition:
Practical Application
Jeremiah 5:23 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts for any tendencies towards stubbornness or spiritual rebellion. Just as ancient Judah faced consequences for their persistent defiance, we are reminded that ignoring God's word and refusing to repent can lead to spiritual decline and separation from His blessings. This verse calls for a humble and obedient heart, one that is quick to respond to God's guidance and willing to turn from sin, rather than hardening itself against divine truth. It reminds us of the importance of an active spiritual vigilance to avoid the deceitfulness of sin.