Jeremiah 7:4

KJV

Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.

KJV (with Strong's)

Trust {H982} ye not in lying {H8267} words {H1697}, saying {H559}, The temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}, The temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}, The temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}, are these.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't rely on that deceitful slogan, 'The temple of ADONAI, the temple of ADONAI - these [buildings] are the temple of ADONAI.'

Berean Standard Bible

Do not trust in deceptive words, chanting: ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’

American Standard Version

Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, are these.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:4 serves as a stern prophetic warning to the people of Judah, who had placed their misplaced trust in the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem as an infallible charm against divine judgment. The verse exposes their dangerous delusion that mere association with a sacred building, rather than genuine repentance and obedience to God's covenant, would guarantee their security and immunity from the impending Babylonian threat. It encapsulates the core message of Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon," challenging superficial religious practice and calling for a return to authentic covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:4 is a pivotal verse within the famous "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a powerful prophetic oracle delivered by Jeremiah at the gate of the LORD's house. This sermon directly confronts the people's false sense of security derived from their possession of the Temple. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 7:1-3) establish the divine command for Jeremiah to stand at the gate and call for true repentance and amendment of ways, setting the stage for the direct challenge to their reliance on the Temple. Following this verse, Jeremiah elaborates on the specific sins that make their trust in the Temple futile (Jeremiah 7:5-11), culminating in the chilling reminder of God's judgment on the former sanctuary at Shiloh ([Jeremiah 7:12](/jeremiah/7-12 "Jeremiah 7:12 - God's Judgment on Shiloh")), foreshadowing Jerusalem's fate. The entire passage underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant and the dire consequences of spiritual hypocrisy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah 7:4 was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the early years of King Jehoiakim's reign (c. 609-598 BC), a time when the Babylonian Empire was rapidly ascending and posed a significant threat to the geopolitical stability of the Near East. Despite the looming external danger and internal moral decay, the people of Judah clung to a deeply ingrained, yet misguided, belief in the inviolability of Jerusalem and its Temple. This belief was rooted in a misinterpretation of God's covenant with David ([2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant")) and the promises associated with Zion, leading them to assume that God would never allow His dwelling place to be destroyed. This conviction fostered a dangerous complacency, permitting them to engage in idolatry, social injustice, and immorality while maintaining outward religious observances. Jeremiah's message directly challenges this nationalistic and ritualistic presumption, exposing it as a dangerous delusion that would lead to their downfall.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 7:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **False Security vs. True Faith**, demonstrating that reliance on external religious symbols or institutions, rather than genuine repentance and obedience, is a perilous path. The repeated chant of "The temple of the LORD" underscores the people's misplaced confidence in a physical structure over a living relationship with God. Secondly, the verse addresses the **Danger of Ritualism Without Righteousness**, a pervasive theme in the prophets, emphasizing that God demands a transformed heart and ethical living over mere ceremonial adherence. This is further elaborated in Jeremiah's call for true justice and righteousness in [Jeremiah 7:5-7](/jeremiah/7-5 "Jeremiah 7:5-7 - Call to Righteousness"). Lastly, it foreshadows the theme of **Divine Judgment on Hypocrisy**, warning that God will not tolerate a façade of piety that conceals deep-seated sin. The ultimate destruction of the Temple, as prophesied later in the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 26:6](/jeremiah/26-6 "Jeremiah 26:6 - Prophecy of Temple Destruction")), serves as a stark testament to the consequences of such spiritual blindness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trust (Hebrew, _bâṭach'_):** From H982, meaning "to hide for refuge; figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure." In this context, the imperative "Trust ye not" (negative command) directly addresses the people's misplaced confidence. They were finding their refuge and security in the physical Temple, rather than in God Himself through obedience. The word highlights a deep-seated reliance or assurance, which Jeremiah condemns as being directed towards a false object.
* **lying (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** From H8267, meaning "an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)." This word describes the nature of the "words" the people were uttering and believing. These were not merely mistaken words, but fundamentally deceptive, false, and empty assurances. It implies a deliberate or self-deceptive propagation of falsehood, suggesting that the comfort they derived from the Temple's presence was a dangerous illusion, a sham.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." Here, in conjunction with "lying," it refers to the specific utterances or declarations that conveyed their false confidence. It's not just a general concept of untruth, but the concrete statements and beliefs they vocalized—the repeated chant about the Temple—that Jeremiah identifies as deceptive. These "words" represent their entire theological and practical stance of false security.
* **Temple (Hebrew, _hêykâl'_):** From H1964, meaning "a large public building, such as a palace or temple." This refers specifically to the Solomonic Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of Israelite worship and the perceived dwelling place of God. Its repetition underscores its centrality to the people's misguided faith, transforming it from a symbol of God's presence into an object of superstitious veneration and a source of false security.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Trust ye not in lying words":** This opening imperative is a direct, urgent command from God through Jeremiah. It warns the people against placing their confidence in deceptive utterances or beliefs. These "lying words" are not necessarily from external false prophets alone, but also represent the self-deceptive assurances the people had internalized, believing that their rituals and the Temple's presence guaranteed their safety regardless of their moral conduct. It's a call to discern truth from falsehood in their spiritual understanding.
* **"saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these."**: This clause reveals the specific content of the "lying words." The threefold repetition of "The temple of the LORD" (Hebrew: _hêykâl Yᵉhôvâh_) mimics a chant or a mantra, highlighting the people's obsessive and superstitious reliance on the physical edifice. They treated the Temple as an amulet or a magical charm, believing its mere existence and their association with it would automatically protect them from divine judgment. The phrase "are these" points to the physical structures themselves, emphasizing their misplaced trust in the material building rather than the God who dwelt within it (and whose presence was conditional on their obedience).

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:4 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically **Epizeuxis**, the immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis. The threefold chanting of "The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD" is not merely for emphasis but serves to mimic the people's own ritualistic and almost hypnotic reliance on the building. This repetition underscores their desperate, yet misguided, belief in the Temple's inviolability, turning a sacred truth into a superstitious charm. This also creates a sense of **Irony**, as the very object they believe will save them is, in fact, the symbol of their spiritual blindness and the impending judgment. Furthermore, the verse functions as a direct **Warning**, a prophetic utterance designed to shock the audience out of their complacency and confront their dangerous self-deception. The stark contrast between their "lying words" and God's true message highlights the prophet's role as a truth-teller exposing a national delusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:4 critiques a profound theological error: the separation of religious ritual from ethical righteousness and genuine covenant faithfulness. The people of Judah had reduced their relationship with God to a transactional one, believing that the physical presence of the Temple and their participation in its ceremonies would automatically secure God's protection, irrespective of their widespread idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God desires a transformed heart and obedient life over mere outward observance. It challenges the notion that any sacred object, place, or tradition can serve as a substitute for a living, dynamic relationship with the Almighty, characterized by justice, mercy, and humility. This prophetic indictment resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that true security and favor come from walking in covenant faithfulness, not from relying on religious symbols or institutions.

* [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God Rejects Empty Rituals")
* [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Desires Justice, Not Just Sacrifices")
* [Micah 6:6-8](/micah/6-6 "Micah 6:6-8 - What the Lord Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah's ancient warning in 7:4 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. We, too, can fall into the trap of spiritual complacency, relying on our church attendance, denominational affiliation, Christian heritage, or even our theological knowledge as a guarantee of God's favor, while neglecting the deeper call to genuine repentance, obedience, and a transformed life. This verse challenges us to critically examine the foundations of our security. Is our trust truly in God Himself, His character, and His Word, or have we subtly shifted our reliance to religious symbols, traditions, or even the comfort of our Christian community? True faith is not a passive inheritance or a magical charm; it is an active, dynamic relationship with the living God, expressed through a heart that seeks to honor Him in all areas of life, not just in outward religious performance. This calls us to cultivate an authentic faith that manifests in justice, mercy, and humble walking with God, ensuring our worship is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")) rather than a mere ritual.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lying words" or false assurances might I be trusting in today regarding my spiritual security or relationship with God?**
* **Am I prioritizing outward religious activities (e.g., church attendance, Bible study, service) over genuine heart transformation and obedience to God's commands?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a deep, authentic trust in God, rather than a superficial reliance on Christian symbols or traditions?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be engaging in "ritualism without righteousness," and what steps can I take to align my actions with my professed faith?**

### FAQ

**Question?** Why did the people of Judah believe the Temple would protect them, despite their sins?

Answer: The people of Judah developed a dangerous misinterpretation of God's covenant promises, particularly those related to the Davidic covenant and the sanctity of Jerusalem as God's chosen city. They believed that because God had chosen Jerusalem as the site for His Temple and had promised to dwell among His people, the city and the Temple were inviolable. This led to a fatalistic presumption that God would never allow His own dwelling place to be destroyed, regardless of their moral and spiritual decay. They conflated God's presence with a guarantee of physical security, neglecting the conditional nature of the covenant which required their obedience and faithfulness. This false security allowed them to continue in idolatry, injustice, and immorality, believing the Temple's mere existence would act as an amulet against divine judgment, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 7:9-10](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9-10 - Abominations in the Temple").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:4, with its stark warning against misplaced trust in a physical temple, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The Old Testament Temple, though divinely ordained, was always a shadow pointing to a greater reality. Jesus Himself declares, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of his body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"). Christ becomes the ultimate and true Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Our security is no longer found in a building made with hands, but in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. He is our access to God ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access to God Through Christ")), the one through whom we offer true worship in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")). Furthermore, the New Testament reveals that believers themselves, collectively, are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")) and "a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - God's Dwelling Place")). Thus, the warning against false security in a physical structure is transformed into an invitation to find all our security, hope, and identity in Christ, the living Temple, and to live as His redeemed people, bearing witness to His presence in 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

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Zephaniah 3:11

In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

Ezekiel 13:19

And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear [your] lies?

Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

Matthew 3:9

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

1 Samuel 4:3

And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.