Jeremiah 7:17

KJV

Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

KJV (with Strong's)

Seest {H7200} thou not what they do {H6213} in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063} and in the streets {H2351} of Jerusalem {H3389}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't you see what they are doing in the cities of Y'hudah and in the streets of Yerushalayim?

Berean Standard Bible

Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

American Standard Version

Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:17 is a profound rhetorical question posed by God to the prophet, exposing the pervasive and public nature of Judah's idolatry and sin. This verse, embedded within Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon," highlights the stark contrast between the people's misplaced confidence in the physical Temple and their widespread, blatant disobedience to God's covenant commands, underscoring divine observation and the inevitability of judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:17 is situated within the broader "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a pivotal message delivered by Jeremiah at the gate of the Lord's house. God commands Jeremiah to confront the people of Judah, who have developed a dangerous presumption: they believe their mere possession of the Temple guarantees their safety and God's protection, regardless of their moral and spiritual decay. They repeatedly chant, "[The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD are these!](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple") while engaging in all manner of sin, including theft, murder, adultery, perjury, and idolatry (Jeremiah 7:9). Verse 17 specifically points to the public and undeniable nature of their idolatrous practices, which were not hidden but openly conducted "in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem," setting the stage for God's righteous indignation and the pronouncement of judgment that follows, culminating in the threat to destroy the Temple itself, just as He did with Shiloh (Jeremiah 7:12-14).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, from the reign of Josiah through Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). This period was marked by political instability, shifting alliances between Egypt and Babylon, and a deep spiritual decline despite Josiah's earlier reforms. Culturally, Judah was constantly exposed to the pagan practices of surrounding nations. Idolatry, particularly the worship of astral deities like the "queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18), was a significant problem, often integrated into daily life and even family rituals. The "streets" (`chûwts`) and "cities" (`ʻîyr`) were not just physical locations but centers of communal life, commerce, and public display. The fact that idolatry was practiced so openly in these public spaces indicates its widespread acceptance and the profound spiritual apostasy of the nation, moving beyond private deviation to a societal norm that openly defied the covenant God had made with Israel at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Pervasive Idolatry**, illustrating that the nation's rebellion was not isolated to a few individuals but had permeated every level of society, from the capital city of [Jerusalem](/jeremiah/7-17 "Jeremiah 7:17 - The Cities and Streets of Jerusalem") to the smaller towns of Judah. This widespread apostasy is further detailed in subsequent verses, such as the mention of "making cakes to the queen of heaven" in [Jeremiah 7:18](/jeremiah/7-18 "Jeremiah 7:18 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Observation and Indignation**. God's rhetorical question, "Seest thou not...?" is not a request for information but an emphatic declaration of His perfect knowledge and righteous anger over their blatant disobedience. This emphasizes God's omnipresence and His unwavering attention to the moral and spiritual state of His people. Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Accountability**. The public nature of their sin meant public consequences, a consistent theme throughout the prophetic books regarding Israel's covenant relationship with God. Their actions were seen and recorded by God, and judgment would inevitably follow their persistent rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seest (Hebrew, _râʼâh'_):** From H7200, a primitive root meaning "to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)." In this context, it signifies God's comprehensive and inescapable observation. It's not merely physical sight but a profound awareness, understanding, and even a discerning judgment of their actions. The rhetorical "Seest thou not?" implies that what they are doing is so obvious and widespread that even Jeremiah, or anyone, should plainly see it, thus emphasizing God's perfect and undeniable knowledge.
* **do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** From H6213, a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." This word encompasses the full range of their actions, not just specific rituals but their entire lifestyle and moral conduct. It speaks to the active, deliberate nature of their disobedience, highlighting that their sin was not accidental or passive but a conscious choice to engage in practices contrary to God's law.
* **streets (Hebrew, _chûwts'_):** From H2351, meaning "properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors; abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without." This term emphasizes the public, open, and pervasive nature of their idolatry. Their sinful acts were not confined to hidden corners or private homes but were openly displayed in the very arteries of their cities, accessible to all and indicative of a deeply ingrained societal apostasy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Seest thou not":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, functioning as an emphatic assertion. It's not an inquiry from God for information, but rather a declaration of His perfect knowledge and the undeniable reality of the people's sin. It conveys divine indignation and highlights the blatant nature of their rebellion, implying that their actions are so obvious that no one, especially a prophet, could miss them.
* **"what they do":** This phrase refers to the collective actions of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, specifically their widespread idolatrous practices and general disobedience to God's covenant. It encompasses the full spectrum of their ungodly behaviors, which were a direct affront to the Lord.
* **"in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?":** This specifies the geographical scope and public nature of their sin. "Cities of Judah" refers to the broader kingdom, while "streets of Jerusalem" pinpoints the capital and its most public thoroughfares. The use of both terms emphasizes the complete permeation of idolatry throughout the entire society, from the rural areas to the urban center, indicating that their apostasy was not a fringe activity but a normalized and pervasive reality.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Seest thou not what they do...?" This is not a genuine inquiry but an emphatic statement designed to underscore the obviousness and widespread nature of the people's sin, simultaneously expressing God's full awareness and profound indignation. It challenges the listener (Jeremiah, and by extension, the people) to acknowledge the undeniable truth of their pervasive idolatry. Furthermore, the verse uses vivid **Imagery** through the specific mention of "cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem." This creates a mental picture of public, open, and widespread sin, contrasting sharply with any pretense of piety or hidden transgression. This imagery also functions as a form of **Merism**, where "cities" and "streets" together represent the entirety of the land and its populace, signifying that no corner of Judah was untouched by this spiritual corruption. The public setting also implies a complete lack of shame or fear of divine judgment, highlighting the depth of their spiritual rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:17 powerfully articulates God's unwavering omniscience and His righteous judgment against idolatry. It reveals that God is not a distant deity but one intimately aware of the actions of His people, particularly their covenant infidelity. The public and pervasive nature of their sin underscores the severity of their rebellion, demonstrating that their spiritual sickness had infected the entire societal body, not just isolated individuals. This divine observation serves as a prelude to the inevitable consequences of their actions, emphasizing that God's justice is both perfect and inescapable. The verse also highlights the theme of false security, as the people believed their association with the Temple would protect them, even as their lives were filled with practices anathema to God.

* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence") – Emphasizes God's inescapable presence and knowledge of all human actions, echoing the divine observation in Jeremiah.
* [Isaiah 1:10-15](/isaiah/1-10 "Isaiah 1:10-15 - Empty Rituals") – Condemns outward religious observance without genuine righteousness, paralleling Judah's misplaced trust in the Temple despite their sin.
* [Romans 1:18-23](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18-23 - Suppressing the Truth") – Describes humanity's suppression of the truth and descent into idolatry, reflecting the spiritual condition of Judah.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:17 serves as a stark mirror for believers today, prompting us to honestly examine our own lives and communities. The rhetorical question, "Seest thou not...?" challenges us to recognize the subtle and overt forms of idolatry that may permeate our "cities" and "streets"—our public lives, our workplaces, our social interactions, and even our private thoughts. Are there areas where we place our trust, security, or identity in anything other than God—be it wealth, status, comfort, technology, or even religious traditions devoid of true spiritual devotion? This verse calls us beyond mere outward religious observance to a genuine, heartfelt obedience that transforms every aspect of our existence. It reminds us that God sees all, and true worship demands aligning our entire being with His will, not just engaging in rituals or maintaining a facade of piety. Our actions, both public and private, reflect the true object of our worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "cities" or "streets" of my life might I be engaging in subtle or overt forms of idolatry, placing trust in something other than God?**
* **How does my public conduct reflect my true spiritual devotion, or does it reveal a disconnect between belief and practice?**
* **What false securities might I be clinging to, similar to Judah's reliance on the Temple, instead of wholeheartedly trusting in God alone?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's omnipresence and His perfect knowledge of my actions, leading to greater humility and obedience?**

### FAQ
**What was the "Temple Sermon" and why was it so significant?**

Answer: The "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15) was a powerful and confrontational message delivered by the prophet Jeremiah at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple. Its significance lay in its direct challenge to the people's false sense of security. They believed that simply possessing the Temple, the physical dwelling place of God, guaranteed their safety and protection from divine judgment, regardless of their moral and spiritual state. Jeremiah, on God's behalf, shattered this illusion, declaring that God would not tolerate their hypocrisy and would even destroy the Temple if their sin persisted, just as He had destroyed the tabernacle at [Shiloh](/jeremiah/7-12 "Jeremiah 7:12 - God's Judgment on Shiloh"). This sermon underscored that true worship required obedience and righteousness, not just ritualistic observance or reliance on sacred objects.

**What does "cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem" imply about the nature of their sin?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the pervasive and public nature of Judah's idolatry and disobedience. It implies that their sin was not confined to private homes or hidden corners but was openly practiced in the most visible and communal spaces. "Cities of Judah" encompasses the entire kingdom, while "streets of Jerusalem" specifically points to the capital city's public thoroughfares. This widespread and blatant display of ungodliness demonstrated a profound societal apostasy, a collective turning away from God, and a complete lack of shame or fear of divine judgment. It underscored that their spiritual sickness had permeated every level of society, making God's impending judgment fully justified.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:17, with its depiction of widespread and public sin, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The pervasive idolatry and spiritual blindness of Judah, openly displayed in their "cities" and "streets," reveal humanity's desperate need for a radical transformation that mere religious ritual or geographical proximity to sacred spaces cannot provide. Jesus, the true [Temple of God](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple"), came not to condemn the world for its public sins, but to offer a way out of them. He confronted the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who honored God with their lips but whose hearts were far from Him ([Matthew 15:8](/matthew/15-8 "Matthew 15:8 - Hypocrisy Condemned")), echoing Jeremiah's critique of outward observance without inward righteousness. Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ provides the means for humanity to be cleansed from the pervasive sin that Jeremiah lamented. He offers a new covenant, not written on stone tablets but on the hearts of believers ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant")), enabling genuine obedience and true worship that transforms lives from the inside out. The public display of sin in Jeremiah's day is ultimately overcome by the public display of Christ's victory on the cross, offering redemption and a path to live lives that truly honor God in every "city" and "street" of our existence, empowered by the [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Helper, the Holy Spirit").

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

Ezekiel 8:6

He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

Ezekiel 14:23

And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 6:27

I have set thee [for] a tower [and] a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.