Jeremiah 7:19

KJV

Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: [do they] not [provoke] themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

KJV (with Strong's)

Do they provoke me to anger {H3707}? saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion {H1322} of their own faces {H6440}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Are they really provoking me," asks ADONAI, "or are they provoking themselves, to their own ruin?"

Berean Standard Bible

But am I the One they are provoking? declares the LORD. Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame?

American Standard Version

Do they provoke me to anger? saith Jehovah; do they not provoke themselves, to the confusion of their own faces?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:19 presents a profound rhetorical question from the LORD, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, which exposes the ultimate futility and self-destructive nature of Judah's persistent idolatry and sin. While their actions certainly provoke God's righteous anger, the deeper, more devastating truth revealed is that their rebellion primarily brings about their own shame, disgrace, and eventual ruin, illustrating that sin is inherently self-defeating.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jeremiah's powerful "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a pivotal message delivered at the gate of the LORD's house. The people of Judah had developed a dangerous, false sense of security, believing that their physical presence at the Temple and their status as God's chosen people would inherently protect them from divine judgment, despite their rampant idolatry, social injustice, and moral corruption. Jeremiah vehemently challenged this misplaced trust, issuing a stark call to repentance: "Amend your ways and your doings, and I will let you dwell in this place" ([Jeremiah 7:3](/jeremiah/7-3 "Jeremiah 7:3 - Amend Your Ways")). The preceding verses detail a litany of their offenses, including stealing, murdering, committing adultery, swearing falsely, burning incense to Baal, and even the horrific practice of child sacrifice in the Valley of Ben Hinnom ([Jeremiah 7:9-10](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9-10 - Abominations in the Temple") and [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Child Sacrifice to Molech")). Against this backdrop of blatant and defiant disobedience, God poses the rhetorical question of [Jeremiah 7:19](/jeremiah/7-19 "Jeremiah 7:19 - Self-Inflicted Shame").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE in Judah were marked by political instability and spiritual decline, particularly after the reforms of King Josiah. Following Josiah's death, his successors largely reverted to idolatry and syncretistic practices, mirroring the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom before its fall. The people of Judah, despite witnessing the Assyrian destruction of Israel, failed to learn from history. They clung to a superficial religiosity, believing that the Temple's presence in Jerusalem offered an inviolable shield against foreign invasion and divine judgment, a concept Jeremiah directly refutes. The phrase "confusion of their own faces" resonates deeply within an ancient Near Eastern honor-shame culture, where public reputation and communal standing were paramount. To have one's "face" covered with "confusion" or "shame" implied a profound loss of honor, public disgrace, and the visible manifestation of one's wrongdoing, often leading to social ostracism or divine retribution. This cultural context amplifies the devastating impact of the people's self-inflicted consequences.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 7:19](/jeremiah/7-19 "Jeremiah 7:19 - The Futility of Sin") powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Foremost is the **self-destructive nature of sin**, emphasizing that while sin is an offense against God, its most immediate and devastating consequences fall upon the sinner themselves. This highlights the principle of divine justice, where actions inherently carry their own repercussions, as seen in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Reaping What You Sow"). The verse also underscores **divine indignation and righteous anger** provoked by human rebellion, yet it simultaneously points to God's **sovereignty and ultimate control** over the outcomes of human choices. The use of a rhetorical question serves to emphasize the undeniable truth and profound irony of their situation, making the people's folly self-evident. Finally, the theme of **shame and disgrace** is central, portraying the inevitable public humiliation and internal turmoil that results from persistent defiance against God, a consequence often depicted in prophetic warnings (e.g., [Isaiah 45:16](/isaiah/45-16 "Isaiah 45:16 - Idolatry Leads to Shame")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **anger (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** From H3707, this word signifies to trouble, grieve, rage, or be indignant. It encompasses the full spectrum of divine displeasure, from sorrow over disobedience to righteous wrath. Here, it denotes God's just and appropriate response to the persistent and blatant rebellion of His people, not an uncontrolled outburst, but a holy indignation against sin.
* **confusion (Hebrew, _bôsheth'_):** From H1322, this term refers to shame, both the internal feeling and the external condition or its cause. It can also imply disgrace or humiliation. In this context, it describes the profound public and personal degradation that results from Judah's idolatry, a visible manifestation of their folly and wickedness, leading to a loss of honor and respect.
* **faces (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, this word literally means "face" but is used in a vast array of applications, often idiomatically. Here, "confusion of their own faces" is a powerful idiom signifying deep humiliation, public embarrassment, and the visible manifestation of one's wrongdoing. It's not merely an internal feeling but a public display of disgrace, a loss of countenance and honor that was deeply significant in ancient culture.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD":** This is a rhetorical question, not an inquiry seeking information, but a forceful statement affirming that their actions *do* indeed provoke God's righteous anger. The phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew, _nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh'_) authenticates the divine origin and authority of the statement, underscoring that this is God's direct assessment of their behavior. It highlights God's personal offense at their idolatry and moral corruption.
* **"do they not provoke themselves":** This clause introduces the profound irony and deeper truth of the verse. While their sin is directed against God, the primary and most immediate destructive impact is self-inflicted. Their actions are not merely offensive to God but are inherently self-defeating, leading directly to their own detriment. It shifts the focus from God's reaction to the inherent consequences for the sinner.
* **"to the confusion of their own faces?":** This concluding phrase reveals the specific nature of the self-inflicted harm. "Confusion" (shame, disgrace) "of their own faces" is a powerful Hebrew idiom for deep humiliation, public disgrace, and the visible manifestation of their folly and wickedness. It implies a loss of honor, a public exposure of their moral bankruptcy, and the inevitable ruin that follows a life of rebellion against God. Their sin will ultimately lead to their own public and private ignominy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:19 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?" This is not a request for information but a powerful declarative statement designed to elicit agreement and underscore an undeniable truth. It forces the audience to confront the logical absurdity and self-destructive nature of their actions. Closely related is **Irony**, as the people believe their actions are primarily against God, but the divine response highlights that the most devastating consequences rebound upon themselves. The phrase "confusion of their own faces" functions as a potent **Idiom**, conveying profound public shame and disgrace, a loss of honor and countenance. This idiom also employs a form of **Metonymy**, where "faces" stands for their public reputation and personal dignity. Furthermore, the concept of "provoking" oneself to confusion can be seen as a subtle form of **Personification**, where their actions are depicted as actively bringing about their own downfall, almost as if sin itself has an agency in their destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:19 powerfully articulates the theological principle that sin, though an offense against a holy God, carries inherent, self-destructive consequences for the one who commits it. It underscores God's righteous character, where His anger is a just response to rebellion, yet His justice also ensures that the natural outcome of defying His will is shame and ruin for the disobedient. This verse highlights the profound irony of human rebellion: in seeking to assert independence from God, humanity ultimately enslaves itself to destructive patterns that lead to profound disgrace and confusion. It serves as a stark reminder that God's laws are not arbitrary restrictions but pathways to life and flourishing, and their violation inevitably leads to self-inflicted harm.

* [Proverbs 13:6](/proverbs/13-6 "Proverbs 13:6 - Righteousness Preserves, Wickedness Overthrows")
* [Romans 6:21](/romans/6-21 "Romans 6:21 - The Fruit of Sin is Shame")
* [Psalm 34:21](/psalms/34-21 "Psalm 34:21 - Evil Kills the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:19 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for believers today. It challenges the common misconception that sin primarily harms God alone, reminding us that while our disobedience grieves His Spirit and violates His commands, its most tangible and immediate impact is often on ourselves. Persistent rebellion against God's will leads to self-inflicted wounds: broken relationships, moral decay, spiritual emptiness, and ultimately, a profound sense of shame and separation from the source of true life and peace. This verse calls us to a deeper understanding of the consequences of our choices, urging us to recognize that God's commands are for our good, designed to protect us from the very "confusion" that sin inevitably brings. Rather than provoking God's anger and our own ruin, we are called to amend our ways, seek righteousness, and pursue obedience, recognizing that true flourishing and honor are found only in aligning our lives with His divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently "provoking myself to confusion" by clinging to sinful patterns or false securities?**
* **How does understanding the self-destructive nature of sin motivate me to pursue holiness and obedience?**
* **What false securities or misplaced trusts (like Judah's trust in the Temple) might I be relying on instead of genuine repentance and faith?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's righteous character and the inherent consequences of defying His will?**

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

Answer: The "Temple Sermon" refers to Jeremiah's prophetic message delivered at the gate of the LORD's house, primarily recorded in [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon"). It is significant because it directly confronts the people of Judah's false sense of security, where they believed that merely possessing the Temple and being God's chosen people would protect them from judgment, despite their widespread idolatry and social injustice. Jeremiah dismantles this illusion, emphasizing that true security comes only through genuine repentance and obedience to God's covenant, not through ritualistic observance or national privilege.

**Why does God ask a rhetorical question in Jeremiah 7:19?**

Answer: God asks a rhetorical question—"Do they provoke me to anger? ... do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?"—not because He needs an answer, but to powerfully emphasize an undeniable truth. It's a literary device designed to make the people confront the obvious and profound irony of their situation. By posing it as a question, God forces them to acknowledge that while their sins are directed against Him, the most devastating and immediate consequences are self-inflicted, leading to their own shame and ruin. It underscores the futility and self-defeating nature of their rebellion.

**What does "the confusion of their own faces" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The confusion of their own faces" is a vivid Hebrew idiom that signifies profound shame, public disgrace, and deep humiliation. In an ancient honor-shame culture, one's "face" represented their public reputation and honor. To have "confusion" or "shame" on one's face meant a visible, undeniable loss of dignity, respect, and standing within the community. It implies that their persistent idolatry and wickedness would not only incur God's wrath but would also inevitably lead to their own public exposure, moral degradation, and a humiliating downfall, a consequence of their own choices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:19, with its stark portrayal of self-inflicted shame and divine wrath, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity, like ancient Judah, continually provokes God's righteous anger through sin, leading to the "confusion of their own faces"—a state of spiritual alienation, moral degradation, and eternal separation from God. However, the Gospel reveals that God, in His infinite love, did not leave humanity to wallow in this self-inflicted shame and bear the full weight of His wrath. Instead, He sent His Son, Jesus, to become the ultimate sacrifice. Christ willingly endured the ultimate "confusion of His own face" on the cross, bearing the shame and disgrace that was rightfully ours ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus Endured the Cross")). He became sin for us, though He knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin")). Through His atoning work, the divine wrath provoked by our sin was fully satisfied, and the shame that would have been eternally ours was absorbed by Him. Thus, those who believe in Him are no longer destined for confusion but are clothed in His righteousness, receiving true honor and reconciliation with God, experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding, and finding eternal life instead of self-inflicted ruin ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-10 - Reconciliation Through Christ") and [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")).

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

1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Jeremiah 20:11

But the LORD [is] with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: [their] everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Ezekiel 8:17

Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

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.

Jeremiah 2:19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

Jeremiah 9:19

For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast [us] out.

Daniel 9:7

O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.