Jeremiah 7:11

KJV

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Is this house {H1004}, which is called {H7121} by my name {H8034}, become a den {H4631} of robbers {H6530} in your eyes {H5869}? Behold, even I have seen {H7200} it, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do you regard this house, which bears my name, as a cave for bandits? I can see for myself what's going on," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:11 delivers a searing indictment from the LORD against the people of Judah, challenging their profound spiritual hypocrisy. While they outwardly venerated the Temple, considering it a sanctuary that guaranteed their security, God exposes their true behavior: they had transformed His sacred dwelling into a mere hideout for their unrepentant sin, a "den of robbers." The verse culminates with God's emphatic declaration that He has unequivocally witnessed their desecration and moral corruption, underscoring His perfect awareness and the inevitability of His judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic rhetorical question and divine declaration within Jeremiah's renowned "Temple Sermon," spanning [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon"). Jeremiah delivered this powerful message at the Temple gate, directly confronting the people's misguided trust in the physical structure of the Temple as an amulet against divine judgment. The preceding verses, specifically [Jeremiah 7:3-7](/jeremiah/7-3-7 "Jeremiah 7:3-7 - Conditions for Dwelling in the Land"), call for genuine repentance and amendment of ways, warning explicitly against the false belief that "The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these" ([Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple")). Following this verse, God outlines the severe consequences of their unfaithfulness, including the destruction of the Temple itself, mirroring the tragic fate of Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant had once resided ([Jeremiah 7:12-15](/jeremiah/7-12-15 "Jeremiah 7:12-15 - Shiloh as a Warning and Coming Judgment")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the tumultuous late 7th century BCE, the Kingdom of Judah faced escalating geopolitical pressures from rising empires like Assyria and Babylon. Amidst this instability, the people of Judah, particularly in Jerusalem, clung to the Temple as a potent symbol of God's presence and an assurance of their inviolability. They operated under the dangerous misconception that as long as the Temple stood, Jerusalem would be safe, regardless of their profound moral and spiritual decay. This led to a perilous disconnect between ritualistic observance and ethical living. They engaged in widespread social injustice, idolatry, and flagrant covenant breaking, yet presumed their Temple attendance and sacrifices would automatically absolve them. In essence, they treated the sacred space as a sanctuary for those who continued in sin rather than a place for genuine repentance and transformative encounter with God.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 7:11 powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the profound **hypocrisy and false piety** of Judah, where outward religious performance masked deep-seated moral corruption. The people attempted to use the Temple as a shield for their unrighteousness, demonstrating a superficial understanding of their covenant with God. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **desecration of sacred space**, as God's house, intended for communion and prayer, was being defiled by those who frequented it without genuine devotion. This desecration reflects a broader societal breakdown and a perversion of God's holy purposes. Finally, the emphatic declaration "Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD" emphasizes **divine awareness and impending judgment**. God is not blind to their actions; His omniscience means their hidden sins are fully exposed, and His justice demands a response to their persistent disobedience, foreshadowing the coming exile and destruction detailed in later chapters like [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Captivity for Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This term (H1004) refers to a dwelling place, but in this context, it specifically denotes the Temple in Jerusalem, God's designated sanctuary. The rhetorical question "Is this house..." immediately identifies the sacred space that the people revered, yet simultaneously defiled. Its use here highlights the stark contrast between its intended purpose as a place of worship and its current misuse as a cover for sin.
* **den (Hebrew, _mᵉʻârâh'_):** This word (H4631) signifies a cavern, cave, or hole, often associated with hiding places for wild animals or outlaws. By calling the Temple a "den," God employs a vivid and derogatory metaphor, stripping the sacred space of its holiness and likening it to a dark, illicit refuge. It suggests a place where criminals retreat after their misdeeds, seeking shelter from justice.
* **robbers (Hebrew, _pᵉrîyts'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to break forth" or "to be violent," this term (H6530) describes violent, lawless, or destructive individuals, not just common thieves. It implies those who break bounds, act rebelliously, and exploit others. The combination "den of robbers" thus paints a picture of a place where violent, predatory individuals seek refuge after their illicit deeds, rather than a sanctuary for the righteous and repentant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed not to elicit an answer from the people, but to expose their profound hypocrisy and challenge their distorted perception. "This house" refers unequivocally to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was consecrated to the LORD and bore His divine presence and authority ("called by my name"). The phrase "den of robbers" is a scathing metaphor, accusing the people of treating the Temple not as a sacred place of worship, prayer, and genuine repentance, but as a hideout where they could seek ritualistic absolution after committing acts of violence, theft, and injustice, only to return to their wicked ways with a false sense of security. The concluding phrase "in your eyes" suggests that the people themselves, if they were honest and possessed any moral discernment, should have recognized the profound desecration and perversion of the Temple's divine purpose.
* **"Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD."**: This declarative statement provides the divine answer to the rhetorical question, leaving no room for doubt or denial. The interjection "Behold" (or "Look!") draws immediate and urgent attention to the gravity of the declaration, signaling a divine pronouncement. "Even I" emphatically highlights God's personal observation and direct witness to their actions, underscoring His omniscience and active engagement with human affairs. This is not mere hearsay or human accusation; it is the direct, unassailable testimony of the Almighty. The concluding "saith the LORD" (Hebrew, _nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh'_) serves as an authoritative prophetic formula, lending divine weight, finality, and absolute truth to the pronouncement. It confirms that this is not Jeremiah's opinion, but God's righteous judgment and unwavering truth.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**: "Is this house... become a den of robbers in your eyes?" This question is not posed for an answer but to highlight the absurdity and moral blindness of the people, forcing them to confront the stark contrast between their actions and the Temple's sacred purpose. Closely linked is the vivid **Metaphor** of the Temple as a "den of robbers." This image transforms a holy sanctuary into a lair for criminals, powerfully conveying the extent of its desecration. It implies that the people were using the Temple as a safe haven after committing their misdeeds, much like robbers returning to their hideout, believing they were immune to consequences. This metaphor is deeply ironic, as the very place meant for holiness becomes a symbol of depravity. Finally, the phrase "Behold, even I have seen [it]" demonstrates **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like perception (seeing) to God. This device makes God's awareness and judgment more immediate and relatable, emphasizing that He is not a distant, unaware deity but one who intimately observes and responds to human conduct with perfect knowledge and righteous indignation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:11 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true worship, divine justice, and the perils of religious formalism. It teaches that God values genuine repentance, righteousness, and a transformed heart far above mere ritualistic observance or reliance on sacred objects or places. The people's belief that the Temple provided automatic immunity from judgment, despite their flagrant disobedience, exposed a deep theological misunderstanding of God's character and covenant requirements. This verse asserts God's moral sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that He sees through all pretense and will hold His people accountable for their actions, particularly when they profane His name and sacred institutions. It underscores that God desires a relationship based on truth and obedience, not on empty religious performance.

* [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - True Worship and Justice")
* [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Desires Justice, Not Empty Ritual")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalms/51-16-17 "Psalm 51:16-17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:11 stands as a timeless and piercing challenge to all who claim faith, urging us to scrutinize the authenticity of our spiritual lives. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that outward religious observance, no matter how fervent or traditional, is meaningless—and even offensive—to God if it is not accompanied by genuine repentance, moral integrity, and a heart transformed by His Spirit. In our contemporary context, this means examining whether our attendance at church, participation in rituals, or engagement in Christian activities serves as a genuine expression of devotion and a catalyst for righteous living, or if it has become a convenient cover for unexamined sin, unaddressed hypocrisy, or a complacent spiritual life. God desires truth in the inward parts, not just outward conformity. He calls us to live consistently with the name we bear as His people, ensuring that our "house"—whether our physical church building, our personal life, or our very body as a temple of the Holy Spirit—is truly a place of prayer and righteousness, not a refuge for unrepentant sin. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's gaze penetrates beyond outward appearances, seeing the true condition of our hearts and lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be guilty of spiritual hypocrisy, using religious activities as a shield for unaddressed sin or moral compromise?**
* **How does my understanding of God's presence in sacred spaces or in my own life influence my daily ethical choices and commitment to justice?**
* **Am I seeking forgiveness and grace as an excuse to continue in sin, or as a powerful impetus for genuine repentance and transformative change?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my "worship" is not merely ritualistic, but flows from a truly pure and surrendered heart?**

### FAQ
**What was the "Temple Sermon" and why was Jeremiah's message so controversial?**

Answer: The "Temple Sermon" (found in [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon")) was a powerful prophetic address delivered by Jeremiah at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple. Its message was profoundly controversial because it directly challenged the deeply entrenched, yet false, security the people of Judah placed in the physical presence of the Temple. They believed that because God's house was among them, Jerusalem was inviolable and they were immune to divine judgment, regardless of their widespread idolatry, social injustice, and moral corruption. Jeremiah shattered this illusion, declaring that God would not tolerate their hypocrisy and that the Temple itself, like the former sanctuary at Shiloh ([Jeremiah 7:12](/jeremiah/7-12 "Jeremiah 7:12 - God's Judgment on Shiloh")), could be destroyed if they did not genuinely repent. This message was perceived as blasphemous and treasonous by many, leading to threats against Jeremiah's life ([Jeremiah 26:7-11](/jeremiah/26-7-11 "Jeremiah 26:7-11 - Priests and Prophets Condemn Jeremiah")).

**How did the people of Judah view the Temple, and why was God's assessment so different?**

Answer: The people of Judah viewed the Temple as the literal dwelling place of God, a symbol of His covenant presence, and a guarantee of their national security and divine protection. They believed that simply possessing the Temple, and performing its rituals, would safeguard them from any calamity, even while they engaged in rampant sin—theft, murder, adultery, false swearing, and idolatry ([Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - Judah's Sins")). God's assessment, however, was radically different. He saw their actions as a profound desecration. Instead of a "house of prayer" ([Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - God's House for All Peoples")), they had turned it into a "den of robbers." This meant they were using the Temple as a convenient cover for their unrighteousness, treating it as a place where they could seek ritual cleansing after sinning, only to return to their wicked ways, rather than a place for genuine repentance and transformation. God's holiness demanded true righteousness, not just outward religious performance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:11 finds its most striking Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' cleansing of the Temple, recorded in all four Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"); [Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus' Authority in the Temple"); [Luke 19:45-46](/luke/19-45-46 "Luke 19:45-46 - Jesus Drives Out Merchants"); [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). When Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers and sellers, He directly quoted Jeremiah 7:11, declaring, "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves" ([Matthew 21:13](/matthew/21-13 "Matthew 21:13 - Jesus Quotes Jeremiah")). This act was not merely a rebuke of commercialism but a profound prophetic indictment of the spiritual hypocrisy that had once again corrupted God's house. Just as in Jeremiah's day, the people of Jesus' time had turned a place meant for genuine worship and communion with God into a center of exploitation and empty ritual, using religious activity to mask unrighteousness. Jesus, as the ultimate Prophet and the very embodiment of God's presence, demonstrated divine authority in purifying His Father's house, foreshadowing the new covenant where the true "temple" would no longer be a physical building, but His own body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")) and, by extension, the collective body of believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")). Thus, Jeremiah's ancient warning against superficial piety finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual application in Christ, who calls His followers to be living temples of righteousness and prayer, reflecting His own pure devotion and the true nature of God's dwelling among His people.

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

Luke 19:45

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

Luke 19:46

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Isaiah 56:7

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Matthew 21:13

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mark 11:17

And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

2 Chronicles 6:33

Then hear thou from the heavens, [even] from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as [doth] thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.