Jeremiah 6:12

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:12 delivers a severe prophetic declaration of impending judgment upon Judah, foretelling a complete and devastating loss of all that provides security and identity—their homes, fields, and even their families. This comprehensive desolation is presented not as a random calamity but as the direct, decisive act of the LORD, a consequence of the people's persistent rebellion and spiritual unfaithfulness. The verse underscores the absolute sovereignty of God in executing His righteous judgment against sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 6:12 is situated within a series of prophetic oracles (Jeremiah 6-10) that pronounce God's judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. Preceding this verse, Jeremiah has vividly described the moral decay and spiritual apostasy pervading all levels of society, from common citizens to prophets and priests. The people have become deaf to God's warnings, their "ears uncircumcised" as stated in [Jeremiah 6:10](/jeremiah/6-10 "Jeremiah 6:10 - Uncircumcised Ears"). The prophet warns of an imminent invasion from the north, a destructive force that God will use as His instrument of wrath. This specific verse intensifies the picture of desolation, moving from general warnings to the concrete, personal loss that will be befall every household, emphasizing the totality of the coming judgment as a direct consequence of their unrepentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah 6:12 was delivered in the late 7th century BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Judah, caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising power of Babylon, had repeatedly turned away from the covenant with Yahweh, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and false worship. In ancient Near Eastern societies, land, homes, and family (represented by wives) constituted the fundamental pillars of security, identity, and continuity. Losing these meant utter ruin, the obliteration of one's heritage, and the severing of one's future. The threat of having one's property "turned unto others" and wives taken was a common and terrifying reality of conquest, often detailed in covenant curses (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Loss of Possessions and Family")). Jeremiah's prophecy taps into these deep-seated fears, portraying the Babylonian invasion not merely as a geopolitical event but as God's direct, punitive intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several core themes found throughout Jeremiah and the Old Testament. Firstly, **Divine Judgment** is unequivocally declared, with the LORD explicitly stating, "I will stretch out my hand," signifying His active and intentional involvement in the coming destruction. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Persistent Sin**, demonstrating that unrepentant rebellion against God's covenant leads to severe, comprehensive loss. The specific mention of houses, fields, and wives underscores the theme of **Loss of Earthly Security**, revealing the transient nature of material possessions and even family stability when God's favor is withdrawn. This loss also speaks to the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Infidelity**, as the judgment is a direct result of Judah's breach of their covenant obligations. Finally, the phrase "saith the LORD" reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Authority and God's Sovereignty**, asserting that these pronouncements are not mere human predictions but divine decrees, emphasizing that God is in control of historical events, even those that bring devastation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **houses (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This word refers broadly to a dwelling, but its meaning extends significantly to encompass a household, family, lineage, or even a temple. In Jeremiah 6:12, the loss of "houses" signifies not just the physical structure but the complete dismantling of family units, heritage, and the very foundation of societal existence. It implies the end of a secure, settled life and the disruption of generational continuity.
* **turned (Hebrew, _çâbab'_):** This primitive root means "to revolve, surround, or border." In this context, it conveys the idea of something being "turned over" or "transferred" to another. It implies a forceful, complete change of ownership and possession, highlighting the involuntary and irreversible nature of the confiscation. The houses are not merely abandoned; they are actively re-assigned, emphasizing the total dispossession of the original inhabitants.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** While literally meaning the open hand, _yâd_ is a rich Hebrew idiom frequently used to denote power, authority, means, or direction. When God "stretches out" His hand (related to H5186 _nâṭâh_), it signifies His direct, powerful, and decisive intervention. In this context, it is an action of judgment, demonstrating God's sovereign power to execute His will and bring about the promised consequences of disobedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And their houses shall be turned unto others":** This clause declares the forceful transfer of property. The homes, which represent security, identity, and generational inheritance, will be seized and given to foreign invaders or new occupants. This signifies a complete loss of stability and belonging for the people of Judah.
* **"[with their] fields and wives together":** This expands the scope of loss to include all vital aspects of life. "Fields" represent livelihood, sustenance, and the economic basis of the family. "Wives" symbolize the family unit, lineage, and the future of the people. The word "together" (Hebrew, _yachad_) emphasizes the comprehensive and simultaneous nature of this desolation, indicating that no aspect of their established life will be spared.
* **"for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land":** This is the divine rationale and active agent behind the judgment. The phrase "I will stretch out my hand" is a powerful idiom signifying God's direct, intentional, and forceful intervention. It underscores that the impending catastrophe is not random misfortune but a deliberate act of divine judgment against the people who "inhabit the land" (referring to Judah).
* **"saith the LORD":** This concluding phrase serves as an authoritative divine stamp on the prophecy. It affirms that these words are not Jeremiah's personal opinion but the infallible declaration of Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the self-existent, covenant-keeping God. It establishes the certainty and divine origin of the judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:12 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of impending doom. The phrase "I will stretch out my hand" functions as a powerful **idiom** or **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action to God to convey His direct, active, and sovereign intervention in judgment. This is not a passive allowance but a deliberate, forceful act. The listing of "houses," "fields," and "wives" together is a form of **merism** or **totalizing language**, where distinct parts are named to represent the whole, emphasizing the comprehensive and absolute nature of the impending loss. It signifies that nothing—no aspect of their security, livelihood, or family—will be spared. The verse itself is structured as a **prophetic oracle**, a direct declaration from God, which lends it an undeniable sense of authority and inevitability. This direct divine speech (indicated by "saith the LORD") creates a sense of **dramatic irony** for the original hearers, who, despite repeated warnings, remain oblivious or defiant to the certain doom awaiting them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:12 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative concerning God's justice, the consequences of sin, and the nature of His covenant with Israel. This verse is a stark reminder that God's patience is not infinite and that persistent rebellion against His revealed will inevitably leads to severe consequences. It echoes the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), where the loss of land, property, and family is explicitly tied to disobedience. The divine declaration "I will stretch out my hand" asserts God's absolute sovereignty over history and nations, demonstrating that even devastating geopolitical events serve His ultimate purposes of justice and purification. This judgment, while severe, is rooted in God's holiness and His commitment to His covenant, even if it means disciplining His own people.

* [Deuteronomy 28:30](/deuteronomy/28-30 "Deuteronomy 28:30 - Loss of Possessions and Family as a Curse")
* [Lamentations 5:2](/lamentations/5-2 "Lamentations 5:2 - Our Inheritance is Turned to Strangers")
* [Isaiah 5:25](/isaiah/5-25 "Isaiah 5:25 - God's Hand Stretched Out in Anger")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:12 serves as a sobering reminder of the profound consequences of spiritual apathy and unrepentant sin. While the specific forms of judgment may differ in the New Covenant era, the underlying principle remains: God is holy, and persistent rebellion against Him carries severe repercussions. This verse challenges us to examine what we place our ultimate security in. Do we trust in our material possessions, our social standing, our family structures, or our perceived stability more than we trust in God? The radical dispossession described here forces us to confront the transient nature of all earthly things and to consider where our true and lasting security lies. It calls us to a deeper reliance on God alone, cultivating a heart of humility and prompt repentance when we stray from His path. This passage urges us to take God's warnings seriously, to live in faithful obedience, and to recognize that true peace and security are found only in Him, not in the fleeting comforts of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "houses, fields, and wives" (i.e., sources of security or identity) might I be placing my ultimate trust in, rather than in God?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity?**
* **What areas of my life might need repentance or renewed obedience in light of God's holiness and the potential consequences of unfaithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah 6:12 mean God will take away my physical possessions or family if I sin today?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 6:12 describes a specific historical judgment on ancient Judah under the Old Covenant, the core principle of God's justice and the consequences of sin remains. Under the New Covenant, believers are not under the law's curse but under grace (see [Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not Under Law But Under Grace")). However, this does not negate the reality that sin still carries natural and spiritual consequences. Persistent, unrepentant sin can lead to broken relationships, financial ruin, loss of peace, and spiritual barrenness, which can feel like a loss of "houses, fields, and wives" in a metaphorical sense. God's discipline for His children is often corrective and redemptive (see [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves")), aiming to draw us back to Himself, rather than purely punitive as seen in the national judgment of Judah. The verse primarily serves as a warning about the seriousness of rejecting God's word and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all aspects of life, including our security and possessions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 6:12, with its stark prophecy of comprehensive loss and divine judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a repeat of physical desolation for believers, but in the profound spiritual realities of the New Covenant. The judgment threatened here, the "stretching out of God's hand" against sin, was fully borne by Jesus Christ on the cross. He became the ultimate recipient of God's wrath against humanity's rebellion, taking upon Himself the curse that would otherwise fall upon us (see [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His sacrifice, believers are redeemed from the condemnation that Judah faced, receiving instead an eternal inheritance that cannot be "turned unto others" or taken away (see [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - An Inheritance That Is Imperishable")). While earthly "houses, fields, and wives" are transient and subject to loss, Christ offers a security that transcends all material possessions—a spiritual dwelling in Him (see [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - My Father's House")), an abundant life (see [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundantly")), and a family in the body of Christ that is eternal (see [Ephesians 2:19](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints")). Thus, the terrifying judgment of Jeremiah 6:12 highlights the immense grace and unparalleled security found in Christ, who delivers us from the ultimate consequences of sin and grants us an unshakable kingdom (see [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - Receiving a Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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

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.