TRV
Translation
King James Version
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
Complete Jewish Bible
Hear, oh earth! I am going to bring disaster on this people; it is the consequence of their own way of thinking; for they pay no attention to my words; and as for my Torah, they reject it.
Berean Standard Bible
Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
American Standard Version
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
World English Bible Messianic
Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Heare, O earth, beholde, I will cause a plague to come vpon this people, euen the fruite of their owne imaginations: because they haue not taken heede vnto my woordes, nor to my Lawe, but cast it off.
Young's Literal Translation
Hear, O earth, lo, I am bringing evil on this people, The fruit of their devices, For to My words they gave no attention, And My law--they kick against it.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 19,109 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 6 verses 18–30
18 ¶ Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.
21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
22 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the sides of the earth.
23 They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion.
24 We have heard the fame thereof: our hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of us, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
25 Go not forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy and fear is on every side.
26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.
28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.
30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
Here, I. God appeals to all the neighbours, nay, to the whole world, concerning the equity of his proceedings against Judah and Jerusalem (Jer 6:18, Jer 6:19): "Hear, you nations, and know particularly, O congregation of the mighty, the great men of the nations, that take cognizance of the affairs of states about you and make remarks upon them. Observe now what is doing among those of Judah and Jerusalem; you hear of the desolations brought upon them, the earth rings of it, trembles under it; you all wonder that I should bring evil upon this people, that are in covenant with me, that profess relation to me, that have worshipped me, and been highly favoured by me; you are ready to ask, Wherefore has the Lord done thus to this land? Deu 29:24. Know then," 1. "That it is the natural product of their devices. The evil brought upon them is the fruit of their thought. They thought to strengthen themselves by their alliance with foreigners, and by that very thing they weakened and diminished themselves, they betrayed and exposed themselves." 2. "That it is the just punishment of their disobedience and rebellion. God does but execute upon them the curse of the law for their violation of its commands. It is because they have not hearkened to my words nor to my law, nor regarded a word I have said to them, but rejected it all. They would never have been ruined thus by the judgments of God's hand if they had not refused to be ruled by the judgments of his mouth: therefore you cannot say that they have any wrong done them."
II. God rejects their plea, by which they insisted upon their external services as sufficient to atone for all their sins. Alas! it is a frivolous plea (Jer 6:20): "To what purpose come there to me incense and sweet cane, to be burnt for a perfume on the golden altar, though it was the best of the kind, and far-fetched? What care I for your burnt-offerings and your sacrifices?" They not only cannot profit God (no sacrifice does, Psa 50:9), but they do not please him, for none does this but the sacrifice of the upright; that of the wicked is an abomination to him. Sacrifice and incense were appointed to excite their repentance, and to direct them to a Mediator, and assist their faith in him. Where this good use was made of them they were acceptable, God had respect to them and to those that offered them. But when they were offered with an opinion that thereby they made God their debtor, and purchased a license to go on in sin, they were so far from being pleasing to God that they were a provocation to him.
III. He foretels the desolation that was now coming upon them. 1. God designs their ruin because they hate to be reformed (Jer 6:21): I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people, occasions of falling not into sin, but into trouble. Those whom God has marked for destruction he perplexes and embarrasses in their counsels, and obstructs and retards all the methods they take for their own safety. The parties of the enemy, which they met with wherever they went, were stumbling-blocks to them; in ever corner they stumbled upon them and were dashed to pieces by them: The fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; neither the fathers with their wisdom, nor the sons with their strength and courage, shall escape them, or get over them. The sons that sinned with their fathers fall with them. Even the neighbour and his friend shall perish and not be able to help either themselves or one another. 2. He will make use of the Chaldeans as instruments of it; for whatever work God has to do he will find out proper instruments for the doing of it. This is a people fetched from the north, from the sides of the earth. Babylon itself lay a great way off northward; and some of the countries that were subject to the king of Babylon, out of which his army was levied, lay much further. These must be employed in this service, Jer 6:22, Jer 6:23. For, (1.) It is a people very numerous, a great nation, which will make their invasion the more formidable. (2.) It is a warlike people. They lay hold on bow and spear, and at this time know how to use them, for they are used to them. They ride upon horses, and therefore they march the more swiftly, and in battle press the harder. No nation had yet brought into the field a better cavalry that the Chaldeans. (3.) It is a barbarous people. They are cruel and have no mercy, being greedy of prey and flushed with victory. They take a pride in frightening all about them; their voice roars like the sea. And, (4.) They have a particular design upon Judah and Jerusalem, in hopes greatly to enrich themselves with the spoil of that famous country. They are set in array against thee, O daughter of Zion! The sins of God's professing people make them an easy prey to those that are God's enemies as well as theirs.
IV. He describes the very great consternation which Judah and Jerusalem should be in upon the approach of this formidable enemy, Jer 6:24-26. 1. They own themselves in a fright, upon the first intelligence brought them of the approach of the enemy: "When we have but heard the fame thereof our hands wax feeble, and we have no heart to make any resistance; anguish has taken hold of us, and we are immediately in an extremity of pain, like that of a woman in travail." Note, Sense of guilt quite dispirits men, upon the approach of any threatening trouble. What can those hope to do for themselves who have made God their enemy? 2. They confine themselves by consent to their houses, not daring to show their heads abroad; for, though they could not but expect that the sword of the enemy would at last find them out there, yet they would rather die tamely and meanly there than run any venture, either by fight or flight, to help themselves. Thus they say one to another, "Go not forth into the field, no not to fetch in your provision thence, nor walk by the way; dare not to go to church or market, it is at your peril if you do, for the sword of the enemy, and the fear of it, are on every side; the highways are unoccupied, as in Jael's time," Jdg 5:6. Let this remind us, when we travel the roads in safety and there is none to make us afraid, to bless God for our share in the public tranquillity. 3. The prophet calls upon them sadly to lament the desolations that were coming upon them. He was himself the lamenting prophet, and called upon his people to join with him in his lamentations: "O daughter of my people, hear they God calling thee to weeping and mourning, and answer his call: do not only put on sackcloth for a day, but gird it on for thy constant wear; do not only put ashes on thy head, but wallow thyself in ashes; put thyself into close mourning, and use all the tokens of bitter lamentation, not forced and for show only, but with the greatest sincerity, as parents mourn for an only son, and think themselves comfortless because they are childless. Thus do thou lament for the spoiler that suddenly comes upon us. Though he has not come yet, he is coming, the decree has gone forth: let us therefore meet the execution of it with a suitable sadness." As saints may rejoice in hope of God's mercies, though they see them only in the promise, so sinners must mourn for fear of God's judgments, though they see them only in the threatenings.
V. He constitutes the prophet a judge over this people that now stand upon their trial: as Jer 1:10, I have set thee over the nations; so here, I have set thee for a tower, or as a sentinel, or a watchman, upon a tower, among my people, as an inspector of their actions, that thou mayest know, and try their way, Jer 6:27. Not that God needed any to inform him concerning them; on the contrary, the prophet knew little of them in comparison but by the spirit of prophecy. But thus God appeals to the prophet himself, and his own observation concerning their character, that he might be fully satisfied in the equity of God's proceedings against them and with the more assurance give them warning of the judgments coming. God set him for a tower, conspicuous to all and attacked by many, but made him a fortress, a strong tower, gave him courage to stem the tide and bear the shock of their displeasure. Those that will be faithful reprovers have need to be firm as fortresses. Now in trying their way he will find two things: - 1. That they are wretchedly debauched (Jer 6:28): They are all grievous revolters, revolters of revolters (so the word is), the worst of revolters, as a servant of servants is the meanest servant. They have a revolting heart, have deeply revolted, and revolt more and more. They seemed to start fair, but they revolt and start back. They walk with slanders; they make nothing of belying and backbiting one another, nay, they make a perfect trade of it; it is their constant course, and they govern themselves by the slanders they hear, hating those that they hear ill-spoken of, though ever so unjustly. They are brass and iron, base metals, and there is nothing in them that is valuable. They were as silver and gold, but they have degenerated. Nay, as they are all revolters, so they are all corrupters, not only debauched themselves, but industrious to debauch others, to corrupt them as they themselves are corrupt; nay, to make them seven times more the children of hell than themselves. It is often so; sinners soon become tempters. 2. That they would never be reclaimed and reformed; it was in vain to think of reforming them, for various methods had been tried with them, and all to no purpose, Jer 6:29, Jer 6:30. He compares them to ore that was supposed to have some good metal in it, and was therefore put into the furnace by the refiner, who used all his art, and took abundance of pains, about it, but it proved all dross, nothing of any value could be extracted out of it. God by his prophets and by his providences had used the most proper means to refine this people and to purify them from their wickedness; but it was all in vain. By the continual preaching of the word, and in a series of afflictions, they had been kept in a constant fire, but all to no purpose. The bellows have been still kept so near the fire, to blow it, that they are burnt with the heat of it, or they are quite worn out with long use and thrown into the fire as good for nothing. The prophets have preached their throats sore with crying aloud against the sins of Israel, and yet they are not convinced and humbled. The lead, which was then used in refining silver, as quicksilver is now, is consumed of the fire, and has not done its work. The founder melts in vain; his labour is lost, for the wicked are not plucked away, no care is taken to separate between the precious and the vile, to purge out the old leaven, to cast out of communion those who, being corrupt themselves, are in danger of infecting others. Or, Their wickednesses are not removed (so some read it); they are still as bad as ever, and nothing will prevail to part between them and their sins. They will not be brought off from their idolatries and immoralities by all they have heard, and all they have felt, of the wrath of God against them; and therefore that doom is passed upon them (Jer 6:30): Reprobate silver shall they be called, useless and worthless; they glitter as if they had some silver in them, but there is nothing of real virtue or goodness to be found among them; and for this reason the Lord has rejected them. He will no more own them as his people, nor look for any good from them; he will take them away like dross (Psa 119:119), and prepare a consuming fire for those that would not be purified by a refining fire. By this it appears, (1.) That God has no pleasure in the death and ruin of sinners, for he tries all ways and methods with them to prevent their destruction and qualify them for salvation. Both his ordinances and his providences have a tendency this way, to part between them and their sins; and yet with many it is all lost labour. We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and you have not wept. Therefore, (2.) God will be justified in the death of sinners and all the blame will lie upon themselves. He did not reject them till he had used all proper means to reform them; did not cast them off so long as there was any hope of them, nor abandon them as dross till it appeared that they were reprobate silver.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–30. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Jeremiah
(Verse 19). Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, the fruit of their thoughts (or turning away): because they have not listened to my words, and have cast aside my law. The evil refers to the punishments and sufferings of those who endure, not upon the nations that are called to the truth of the Gospel, but upon the people who have responded: We will not listen. And they will receive the fruit of their thoughts, or their turning away, as David says: You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands (Psalm 127:2). And it is clear because they did not listen to the words of the Lord and rejected His law.
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Jeremiah 6:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Jeremiah 6:19 delivers a profound divine indictment and a cosmic declaration of impending judgment upon the people of Judah. It reveals that the severe calamity God is about to bring upon them is not arbitrary, but the direct and inevitable "fruit" of their own wicked intentions and rebellious actions, stemming from their persistent refusal to listen to, obey, and ultimately their contemptuous rejection of God's authoritative words and His divine law.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 6:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and severe message. The opening phrase, "Hear, O earth," is a powerful instance of personification, where the inanimate earth is addressed as if it possesses the capacity to hear, understand, and bear witness to the divine pronouncement. This elevates the judgment to a cosmic scale, emphasizing the universal significance and undeniable justice of God's impending action. The phrase "the fruit of their thoughts" functions as a vivid metaphor, likening thoughts and intentions to seeds that are sown and inevitably produce a harvest or "fruit." This illustrates the profound principle of consequences, where internal moral corruption and rebellious intentions directly lead to external calamitous outcomes. Furthermore, the entire verse operates within the framework of a covenant lawsuit (or rib in Hebrew), a common prophetic motif where God acts as the plaintiff, judge, and executioner, solemnly calling creation itself as a witness against His covenant people for their egregious breach of the covenant. The explicit cause-and-effect relationship articulated by the word "because" ("because they have not hearkened... but rejected it") strongly underscores this legal framework. The repetition of the negative actions ("not hearkened... nor to my law, but rejected it") also creates a powerful sense of emphasis on the totality, deliberateness, and unyielding nature of Judah's disobedience.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 6:19 stands as a profound theological statement on divine justice, human accountability, and the non-negotiable authority of God's revealed will. It unequivocally teaches that God's judgments are not arbitrary acts of capricious wrath but righteous, just, and necessary responses to sustained human rebellion and covenant infidelity. The "evil" that befalls a people is portrayed as the direct "fruit" of their own internal corruption and external disobedience, underscoring the biblical truth that our thoughts, intentions, and inner dispositions are not benign but possess generative power, ultimately shaping our actions and determining our destiny. The verse highlights the critical and enduring importance of hearkening to and obeying God's "words" and "law," presenting the contemptuous rejection of divine truth as the root cause of calamity and national ruin. It affirms God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when that commitment necessitates bringing corrective and punitive judgment upon His unfaithful people, demonstrating that His character is both perfectly loving and immutably just.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 6:19 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations that God's justice is unwavering and that there are direct, often painful, consequences for rejecting His word and living in defiance of His commands. This verse calls us to profound introspection, prompting us to examine not only our outward actions but, more fundamentally, the "fruit of our thoughts"—the intentions, desires, and imaginations that reside deep within our hearts. It reminds us that true, holistic obedience begins internally, and that unexamined or unrepentant thoughts can indeed produce destructive "fruit" in our individual lives, our relationships, and our communities. The enduring necessity of listening attentively to, cherishing, and obeying God's voice, as revealed in His inspired Word, remains paramount for all who claim to follow Him. It is the path to life, blessing, and spiritual flourishing, contrasting sharply with the "evil" of calamity that inevitably arises from stubborn disobedience and the contemptuous rejection of divine truth. This passage challenges us to cultivate a heart that is not only receptive to God's Word but actively seeks to conform every thought, intention, and desire to His righteous standard, thereby yielding the fruit of righteousness and peace rather than ruin and judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "evil" mean when God says, "I will bring evil upon this people"?
Answer: In Jeremiah 6:19, the Hebrew word for "evil" (ra', H7451) refers primarily to calamity, disaster, or misfortune, rather than moral wickedness on God's part. It signifies the painful, destructive consequences that God, in His righteous judgment, brings upon a people who have persistently rejected His word and law. It is the just recompense for their spiritual and moral rebellion, not an act of malice from God. This is consistent with how God's judgment is often depicted in the Old Testament, as a response to covenant unfaithfulness and a means of discipline, as seen in the warnings throughout Deuteronomy 28.
How does "the fruit of their thoughts" relate to personal responsibility?
Answer: This phrase powerfully underscores the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, emphasizing that our internal world—our intentions, plans, and imaginations—ultimately bears external consequences. The "fruit" is the outcome of the "thoughts," meaning that the calamities Judah faced were not arbitrary but were the direct result of their own rebellious and wicked internal dispositions. This highlights profound personal and corporate responsibility for one's actions and the inner life from which they spring, a truth echoed by Jesus in Matthew 15:19, where He teaches that "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."
Does this verse suggest God is capricious or harsh in His judgment?
Answer: No, quite the opposite. Jeremiah 6:19 presents God's judgment as a direct, proportionate, and just response to Judah's sustained and deliberate rejection of His "words" and "law." The phrase "because they have not hearkened... but rejected it" clearly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship. God is not acting capriciously but upholding His covenant and His righteous character. His warnings, delivered through Jeremiah, were abundant and patient, demonstrating His long-suffering before judgment, as seen in His repeated calls for repentance throughout the book of Jeremiah. The judgment is a necessary consequence of their persistent rebellion, not an arbitrary act, but a just and sorrowful response to their unyielding defiance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 6:19, with its stark declaration of judgment for rejecting God's Word and Law, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's will in Jesus Christ and the profound implications of humanity's response to Him. Where ancient Judah rejected the prophetic "words" and the Mosaic "law," humanity's greatest rebellion is the rejection of the Logos made flesh, Jesus Christ Himself. He is the perfect embodiment of God's "law" and "words," having perfectly "hearkened" to the Father's will even unto death on the cross, as described in Philippians 2:8. The "evil" (calamity and judgment) that came upon Judah for their disobedience is a type of the ultimate judgment for sin, which Christ, in His infinite love and perfect justice, bore on behalf of all who believe. He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, as 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims. The "fruit of their thoughts" leading to destruction finds its counterpoint in the new creation in Christ, where believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, are empowered to produce the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) as their thoughts and lives are progressively conformed to His perfect will, rather than their own rebellious imaginations. Thus, this verse underscores the gravity of rejecting divine truth while simultaneously pointing to the absolute necessity and sufficiency of Christ as the one who perfectly fulfilled God's demands and bore the consequences of humanity's rejection, offering a path to life, reconciliation, and true spiritual fruitfulness.