Jeremiah 7:30

KJV

For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063} have done {H6213} evil {H7451} in my sight {H5869}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: they have set {H7760} their abominations {H8251} in the house {H1004} which is called {H7121} by my name {H8034}, to pollute {H2930} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

"For the people of Y'hudah have done what is evil from my perspective," says ADONAI; "they have set up their detestable things in the house which bears my name, to defile it.

Berean Standard Bible

For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

American Standard Version

For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight, saith Jehovah: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:30 delivers a searing divine indictment against the people of Judah, exposing their profound spiritual rebellion and the audacious sacrilege of their idolatrous practices. The verse declares that Judah has committed grievous evil in the Lord's very presence by deliberately placing detestable abominations within the Temple, the sacred edifice consecrated to His name, thereby utterly defiling it. This pronouncement serves as a stark prelude to the coming judgment, dismantling their false sense of security derived from the Temple's physical presence and underscoring the depth of their covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:30 stands as a climactic accusation within Jeremiah's powerful "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a direct prophetic confrontation delivered at the threshold of the Jerusalem Temple. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 7:16-19) vividly depict the pervasive nature of Judah's idolatry, illustrating how entire families were involved in the worship of the "queen of heaven" in the streets of Jerusalem and Judah. This verse then intensifies the charge, revealing that the defilement was not confined to public spaces but had brazenly penetrated the very sanctuary of Yahweh – the Temple itself. The subsequent verses (Jeremiah 7:31-34) further detail the horrifying practice of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom, explicitly linking it to the broader pattern of abominations that provoked God's wrath and foreshadowed the impending destruction of Jerusalem and its revered Temple. The sermon's overarching message is to dismantle the people's misguided confidence in the Temple's inviolability, asserting that true security rests solely upon genuine repentance and faithful obedience to God's covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned a tumultuous period in Judah's history, from the late 7th to the early 6th century BCE, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Following the death of the reforming King Josiah (609 BCE), his successors, particularly Jehoiakim, systematically reversed many of Josiah's religious reforms, ushering in a widespread resurgence of idolatry and religious syncretism. Despite their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the people of Judah had adopted the worship of foreign deities, including Baal, Asherah, and the "queen of heaven," often blending these pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh. A pervasive cultural delusion was the belief that the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem guaranteed their protection from divine judgment or foreign invasion, regardless of their moral and spiritual corruption. Jeremiah was commissioned to shatter this dangerous illusion. The "abominations" mentioned in the verse likely refer to the placement of cultic objects, altars to other gods, or even images within the Temple courts, a practice historically documented during periods of intense apostasy, such as under King Manasseh (see [2 Kings 21:4-7](/2_kings/21-4-7 "2 Kings 21:4-7 - Manasseh's Idolatry in the Temple")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several central themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Idolatry and Apostasy**, highlighting Judah's deep spiritual unfaithfulness and their deliberate turning away from the Lord. Their actions were not accidental errors but a willful rebellion against their covenant God. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Defilement of the Sacred**, illustrating how the very place consecrated to God's name, the Temple, was profaned by human sin. This desecration represented the ultimate insult to God's holiness and presence, demonstrating the profound depth of Judah's spiritual sickness. This theme is echoed in other prophetic warnings about the Temple's fate, such as when God declares the Temple has become a "den of robbers" (as seen in [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - Temple as a Den of Robbers")). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice**. The Lord's emphatic declaration, "saith the LORD," underscores the divine authority behind the accusation and the inevitable consequences of such blatant disobedience. The defilement of His house necessitated His righteous judgment, which would ultimately culminate in the Temple's destruction and the Babylonian exile, thereby fulfilling the warnings given within the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _shiqqûwts'_):** From H8251, meaning "disgusting, i.e. filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol; abominable filth (idol, -ation), detestable (thing)." This term is profoundly significant, conveying God's utter revulsion at the objects and practices introduced into His Temple. It refers specifically to things that are morally and ritually detestable to God, most often associated with pagan worship, idols, and their abhorrent rites, including child sacrifice (as implied by the immediate context of [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Child Sacrifice in Tophet")). The use of this word underscores the profound offense and spiritual pollution caused by Judah's actions.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, meaning "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out)." In this specific context, "the house which is called by my name" unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was not merely a physical structure but the consecrated dwelling place where God had chosen to make His name known and where His presence was uniquely manifested among His people. Its desecration was, therefore, a direct affront to God's very being and His covenant relationship with Israel.
* **Pollute (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** From H2930, a primitive root meaning "to be foul, especially in a ceremonial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly." This word highlights the dire consequence of setting abominations in the Temple. It signifies a state of uncleanness, both ritual and moral, that renders something unfit for sacred use or for the presence of a holy God. The act of polluting the Temple was a direct violation of the holiness required for divine worship and communion, effectively making the sacred common and profane in God's eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight":** This opening clause establishes the direct and comprehensive accusation against the entire community of Judah. "Children of Judah" (H1121, _bên_ and H3063, _Yᵉhûwdâh_) refers to the collective people, indicating a widespread and systemic moral failure. Their actions are explicitly stated as "evil" (H7451, _raʻ_), which encompasses both moral wickedness and spiritual rebellion against God's law. The phrase "in my sight" (H5869, _ʻayin_) emphasizes God's direct observation and judgment; nothing is hidden from His all-seeing eyes. This is not merely a human assessment but a divine verdict on their conduct.
* **"saith the LORD":** This authoritative declaration (H5002, _nᵉʼum_ from H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) underscores the divine authority and unwavering certainty of the preceding statement. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but the direct, infallible word of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing the profound gravity and absolute truthfulness of the accusation. It serves as a prophetic utterance, confirming the divine origin and weight of the message.
* **"they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name":** This is the core indictment, specifying the precise nature of their evil. "They have set" (H7760, _sûwm_) indicates a deliberate, intentional act of placement, highlighting their culpability. "Their abominations" (H8251, _shiqqûwts_) refers to detestable idols or idolatrous practices. The "house which is called by my name" (H1004, _bayith_, H7121, _qârâʼ_ and H8034, _shêm_) is unequivocally the Temple in Jerusalem, the very place consecrated to Yahweh's presence and worship. This highlights the ultimate sacrilege: bringing the profane into the most sacred space, a direct affront to God's holiness.
* **"to pollute it":** This final phrase (H2930, _ṭâmêʼ_) explicitly states the purpose and inevitable effect of their actions. By introducing abominations, they intentionally or consequentially defiled, profaned, and rendered unclean the holy Temple. This act of pollution violated the very essence of the Temple's purpose as a sanctuary for a holy God, rendering it unfit for His presence and worship, and thereby inviting His righteous judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:30 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with maximum impact. A prominent device is **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described as having "sight" ("in my sight"), implying His direct, personal observation and righteous judgment of Judah's actions. This makes the divine accusation more immediate and deeply personal. There is also strong **Symbolism** present, as "the house which is called by my name" is far more than a mere building; it is a profound symbol of God's covenant presence among His people. Its defilement thus symbolizes the catastrophic breakdown of the covenant relationship itself. The term "abominations" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or extreme language, conveying the absolute detestability of Judah's idolatry in God's eyes, emphasizing the profound offense it caused to His holy character. Furthermore, the verse contains a deep sense of **Irony**: the people trusted in the Temple for their security and divine favor, yet they were actively defiling the very source of that perceived security, transforming it from a sanctuary into a target for divine wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:30 exposes a critical theological truth: God's inherent holiness demands purity and cannot tolerate defilement, particularly in spaces dedicated to His name and presence. The Temple, intended as a sacred place of communion and pure worship, had been transformed into a monument to Judah's spiritual adultery and rebellion. This act of desecration was not merely a ritual offense but a profound moral and covenantal breach, demonstrating a heart utterly estranged from the Lord. It reveals that outward religious observance without inward fidelity is not only futile but deeply offensive to God. The Lord's impending judgment, therefore, is a just and necessary response to their persistent rebellion and the deliberate profanation of His sacred presence.

* [Ezekiel 8:5-18](/ezekiel/8-5-18 "Ezekiel 8:5-18 - Abominations in the Temple")
* [Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24-30 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Warnings Against Abominations")
* [Psalm 74:7](/psalm/74-7 "Psalm 74:7 - Desecration of the Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:30 serves as a timeless and profoundly sobering warning against spiritual hypocrisy and the grave dangers of treating sacred things with irreverence. For believers today, while the physical Temple in Jerusalem no longer stands, the foundational principles of God's holiness and our solemn responsibility to maintain purity remain profoundly relevant. We are called to diligently examine our hearts and lives, ensuring that our worship, devotion, and daily conduct are genuine expressions of faith and not merely outward displays of religiosity. If we, as individuals or as the collective body of Christ, allow "abominations"—whether they be idols of materialism, self-worship, compromise with worldly values, or false teachings—to enter the "house" of our lives or our churches, we risk profaning the very presence of God within us and among us. This verse compels us to pursue personal and corporate holiness with unwavering commitment, to vigilantly guard against anything that would defile our intimate relationship with God, and to live lives that truly honor His name, understanding that true security comes not from religious structures or rituals, but from a heart fully devoted to Him in spirit and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, or my spiritual community, be guilty of "setting abominations" in the "house" of our lives or our corporate worship today?**
* **What are the modern "abominations"—idols, attitudes, or practices—that can pollute our hearts and distract us from genuine, undivided worship of God?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of God's absolute holiness and His uncompromising expectations for purity in His people?**
* **What practical and actionable steps can I take to ensure my personal worship and daily life are truly honoring to the Lord and free from defilement?**

### FAQ

**What specific "abominations" are being referred to in Jeremiah 7:30?**

Answer: While Jeremiah 7:30 uses the general, yet potent, term "abominations" (Hebrew _shiqqûwts_), the broader context of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry and other contemporary prophetic books (such as the explicit mention of child sacrifice in [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Child Sacrifice in Tophet") and the detailed vision of Temple idolatry in [Ezekiel 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - Abominations in the Temple")) indicates a range of detestable practices. These primarily included the widespread worship of foreign deities like Baal, Asherah, and the "queen of heaven," often involving the erection of their altars, images, or cultic symbols directly within the sacred precincts of the Temple or its immediate vicinity. The most horrific abomination mentioned in the immediate context (Jeremiah 7:31) is the practice of child sacrifice to Molech in the Valley of Hinnom, which, though geographically outside the Temple, was part of the same pervasive idolatry that fundamentally defiled the land and irrevocably severed the people's covenant relationship with God.

**Why was it such a severe offense to "pollute" the Temple?**

Answer: The Temple in Jerusalem was not merely a building; it was considered the unique dwelling place where God had chosen to place His name and manifest His presence on earth (e.g., [1 Kings 8:29](/1_kings/8-29 "1 Kings 8:29 - God's Name in the Temple")). It was consecrated as a holy space, meticulously set apart for the pure and exclusive worship of Yahweh. To introduce idols, pagan practices, or any form of moral corruption into this sacred space was the ultimate act of sacrilege, defiance, and spiritual treason. It constituted a direct and profound insult to God's absolute holiness, a blatant violation of the covenant He had established with Israel, and a public declaration of their spiritual adultery. By turning the very symbol of His presence into a monument to their rebellion, they demonstrated a complete lack of reverence for God and His commands, thereby provoking His righteous wrath and necessitating His severe judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:30, with its stark portrayal of a defiled Temple and a rebellious people, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound and transformative ways. First, Jesus Himself confronted the defilement of the physical Temple in Jerusalem, twice cleansing it (e.g., [John 2:13-17](/john/2-13-17 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple") and [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple Again")). His indignation was not against pagan idols, but against the commercial exploitation that had turned God's house into a "den of robbers" (echoing Jeremiah's own indictment in [Jeremiah 7:11](/jeremiah/7-11 "Jeremiah 7:11 - Temple as a Den of Robbers")), demonstrating Jesus' divine zeal for the purity of God's house and His inherent authority as the Son of God. Second, Jesus declared that He Himself was the true and ultimate Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). His body, broken in sacrifice and gloriously resurrected, became the ultimate dwelling place of God's presence, superseding and ultimately replacing the physical structure that had been repeatedly defiled and would eventually be destroyed. Finally, through the redemptive work of Christ, believers become the new spiritual Temple, individually as "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")) and corporately as "a holy temple in the Lord" ([Ephesians 2:21](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - The Church as a Holy Temple")). The ancient call to purity in Jeremiah 7:30 thus transforms into a living call for all believers to live holy lives, free from the "abominations" of sin and worldliness, so that God's Spirit may dwell undefiled within them and among them, revealing the glory of Christ to the world.

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 7:20

As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations [and] of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.

Jeremiah 32:34

But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

2 Kings 21:7

And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

2 Kings 21:4

And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

2 Chronicles 33:7

And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

2 Chronicles 33:4

Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.