Jeremiah 6:12

And their houses shall be turned unto others, [with their] fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.

And their houses {H1004} shall be turned {H5437} unto others {H312}, with their fields {H7704} and wives {H802} together {H3162}: for I will stretch out {H5186} my hand {H3027} upon the inhabitants {H3427} of the land {H776}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Their homes will be turned over to others, their fields together with their wives. Yes, I will stretch out my hand against those who are living in the land," says ADONAI.

Their houses will be turned over to others, their fields and wives as well, for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,” declares the LORD.

And their houses shall be turned unto others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith Jehovah.

Jeremiah 6:12 is a stark declaration of the impending judgment upon the people of Judah. It vividly describes the complete desolation that will befall them as a direct consequence of their persistent sin and rejection of God's warnings.

Context

This verse is part of a section in Jeremiah (chapters 6-10) where the prophet delivers strong pronouncements of judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. Jeremiah has been warning the people about their spiritual adultery, false worship, social injustice, and refusal to repent (see Jeremiah 6:10). Despite God's patience and repeated calls through His prophets, they remain obstinate. This verse follows descriptions of the coming invaders and the widespread corruption among all classes, from the prophet to the priest.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse emphasizes that the loss of property and family is a direct result of God's action ("I will stretch out my hand").
  • Consequences of Sin: It illustrates the severe repercussions of persistent disobedience and unrepentance, leading to total loss.
  • Loss of Security: Homes, fields, and even wives (representing family and lineage security) are vulnerable and will be taken away.
  • God's Outstretched Hand: This is a powerful biblical idiom signifying God's active intervention, often in judgment or power (see also Isaiah 5:25).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stretch out my hand" (Hebrew: natâh yâd) is a common biblical expression denoting God's direct and powerful intervention. While sometimes used for salvation, in contexts like this, it signifies divine wrath and decisive action in judgment against disobedience.

Commentary and Application

The prophecy in Jeremiah 6:12 paints a grim picture of the coming Babylonian invasion and exile. The people who felt secure in their possessions and family life would lose everything. Their houses and fields would be given to others, and their wives would be taken, likely into captivity or by the conquerors. This was the terrifying reality of ancient warfare and conquest, described here as God's direct doing because of their sin.

For us today, while the specific form of judgment may differ, the principle remains: persistent rebellion against God has serious consequences. The things we hold dearest – our security, our possessions, our relationships – are ultimately under God's authority. This verse serves as a sober reminder that ignoring God's warnings and living in unrepentant sin can lead to profound loss and the experience of God's corrective or punitive hand. It calls us to take God's word seriously and respond with humility and repentance.

Reflection

Consider what areas in your life might be vulnerable if God were to "stretch out His hand" in judgment or correction. Does this verse encourage a deeper reliance on God rather than earthly security?

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.

  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Isaiah 5:25

    Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases [were] torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Zephaniah 1:13

    Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

  • Isaiah 9:12

    The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

  • Lamentations 5:3

    We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows.

  • Isaiah 65:21

    And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Isaiah 65:22

    They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree [are] the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

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