Jeremiah 7:9

KJV

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

KJV (with Strong's)

Will ye steal {H1589}, murder {H7523}, and commit adultery {H5003}, and swear {H7650} falsely {H8267}, and burn incense {H6999} unto Baal {H1168}, and walk {H1980} after {H310} other {H312} gods {H430} whom ye know {H3045} not;

Complete Jewish Bible

First you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer to Ba'al and go after other gods that you haven't known.

Berean Standard Bible

Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

American Standard Version

Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods that ye have not known,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:9 serves as a searing indictment within the prophet's "Temple Sermon," exposing the profound moral and spiritual hypocrisy of the people of Judah. It confronts their dangerous delusion that outward religious observance, particularly their reliance on the presence of the Temple in Jerusalem, could somehow nullify their rampant societal sins and pervasive idolatry. This verse starkly lists their egregious violations of God's covenant—including theft, murder, adultery, false swearing, and the worship of pagan deities like Baal—demonstrating a severe disconnect between their professed faith and their actual conduct, ultimately revealing a nation ripe for divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:9 is a pivotal verse within the prophet's powerful "Temple Sermon," delivered at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple (Jeremiah 7:1-15). This discourse immediately follows Jeremiah's urgent call to repentance and his warnings against false prophets in [Jeremiah 6](/jeremiah/6 "Jeremiah 6 - The Coming Invasion and Call to Repentance"). The sermon directly challenges the people's misguided and complacent belief that the Temple's mere existence guaranteed God's protection, regardless of their moral and spiritual decay. Jeremiah 7:4 records their defiant 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"), which this verse directly refutes by exposing the depth of their sin. The subsequent verses, such as [Jeremiah 7:10-11](/jeremiah/7-10-11 "Jeremiah 7:10-11 - The Temple as a Den of Robbers"), further elaborate on the futility of their rituals when coupled with such widespread unrighteousness, culminating in God's threat to destroy the Temple, just as He had done with Shiloh ([Jeremiah 7:12-14](/jeremiah/7-12-14 "Jeremiah 7:12-14 - The Destruction of Shiloh as a Warning")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The nation was caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising power of Babylon. Despite moments of reform under King Josiah, the people often reverted to syncretistic practices, mixing the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite fertility cults, most notably the worship of Baal. This was a direct violation of the covenant established at Sinai, particularly the first two commandments found in [Exodus 20:3-6](/exodus/20-3-6 "Exodus 20:3-6 - The First and Second Commandments"). The cultural landscape was marked by a superficial religiosity where Temple rituals were performed, yet societal ethics had eroded. The sins listed in Jeremiah 7:9—theft, murder, adultery, false swearing—were not just isolated incidents but pervasive issues that undermined the very fabric of their covenant relationship with God and their communal life, reflecting a deep spiritual apostasy despite outward appearances of piety.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 7:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah - The Prophet of Judgment") and broader biblical theology. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Hypocrisy**, where outward religious observance is starkly contrasted with rampant inward corruption and moral decay. God unequivocally condemns a form of worship that is detached from righteous living, emphasizing that true devotion requires both ritual and ethical integrity. This verse also highlights the **Violation of the Covenant**, as the enumerated sins are direct breaches of the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"), the foundational laws of God's covenant with Israel. The inclusion of "burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not" underscores the pervasive theme of **Pervasive Idolatry** and syncretism, which was the ultimate betrayal of Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh. Finally, the rhetorical question "Will ye...?" serves as a **Divine Indictment**, not seeking an answer, but emphatically declaring Judah's undeniable guilt and rebellion against God's moral and spiritual demands, setting the stage for the inevitable judgment that follows in the book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Steal (Hebrew, _gânab'_):** This primitive root (H1589) signifies not only the literal act of thievery but also, by implication, deception and stealth. In Jeremiah's context, it points to the dishonest practices pervasive in Judahite society, a direct violation of the eighth commandment ([Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment")), indicating a fundamental disregard for justice and neighborly love, undermining the very fabric of communal trust.
* **Baal (Hebrew, _Baʻal'_):** This refers to the chief Phoenician deity (H1168), a Canaanite god of fertility, storms, and kingship. Its inclusion here highlights the rampant syncretistic worship prevalent in Judah, where the people attempted to combine the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. This was a grave breach of the first commandment ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")), which demands exclusive devotion to the one true God, and a profound act of spiritual adultery.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** While primarily meaning to ascertain by seeing, this root (H3045) encompasses a wide range of senses including observation, recognition, and intimate acquaintance. In the phrase "whom ye know not," it underscores Judah's spiritual ignorance and their lack of true, covenantal knowledge of the foreign gods they pursued. This contrasts sharply with the intimate and exclusive knowledge they *should* have had of Yahweh, implying a deliberate turning away from the God who had revealed Himself to them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery":** This opening rhetorical question immediately confronts the people with their blatant violations of the foundational moral laws of the Decalogue. "Steal" (the eighth commandment), "murder" (the sixth commandment), and "commit adultery" (the seventh commandment) represent fundamental societal sins that tear apart the community and demonstrate a profound disregard for human life, property, and the sanctity of marriage, all of which are sacred to God.
* **"and swear falsely":** This refers to the violation of the ninth commandment ([Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")), bearing false witness, or breaking oaths made in God's name. It speaks to a pervasive dishonesty and a lack of integrity in their dealings, undermining truth and justice in the judicial and social spheres. This sin is particularly egregious as it directly involves invoking God's name in deceit.
* **"and burn incense unto Baal":** This clause marks a crucial shift from horizontal (human-to-human) sins to vertical (human-to-God) sins. Burning incense was an act of worship, and offering it to Baal, a prominent Canaanite fertility god, was a direct and flagrant violation of the first two commandments, which demand exclusive worship of Yahweh and forbid idolatry. This highlights their syncretism—attempting to serve both God and pagan deities.
* **"and walk after other gods whom ye know not;":** This final clause broadens the scope of their idolatry beyond Baal to include any "other gods." The phrase "whom ye know not" emphasizes the foreign, illegitimate, and ultimately empty nature of these deities, contrasting them with Yahweh, who had revealed Himself intimately to Israel. "Walk after" (Hebrew: _hâlak ʼachar_) implies a lifestyle of devotion and allegiance, indicating that their lives were characterized by following these false gods, not merely isolated acts of worship. This encapsulates their complete spiritual apostasy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:9 is rich in literary devices that amplify its accusatory power. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Will ye...?", which is not posed to elicit an answer but to emphatically declare the undeniable guilt of the people. It serves as a powerful indictment, highlighting the absurdity and hypocrisy of their actions. There is also a strong sense of **Juxtaposition**, as the prophet lists both moral transgressions (theft, murder, adultery, false swearing) and spiritual transgressions (idolatry). This pairing underscores that ethical conduct and true worship are inextricably linked; one cannot claim devotion to God while living in flagrant sin. Furthermore, the rapid enumeration of sins creates a sense of overwhelming guilt and pervasive corruption, employing a form of **Accumulation** or **Cataloguing** to impress upon the audience the depth and breadth of their rebellion. The phrase "whom ye know not" also employs **Irony**, as the people of Israel, who had been given direct revelation of the one true God, were now pursuing deities about whom they had no true knowledge or covenant relationship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:9 powerfully articulates the biblical principle that true worship of God is inseparable from righteous living. It exposes the futility of religious ritual performed without a transformed heart and obedient life, a theme echoed throughout the prophets. God is not merely concerned with outward acts of devotion but demands exclusive allegiance and moral integrity in every sphere of life. The verse underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with Israel, where blessings were contingent upon obedience and curses upon disobedience. Their pursuit of other gods and violation of fundamental moral laws represented a profound betrayal of this covenant, demonstrating that they had broken faith with the God who had redeemed them. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual complacency, syncretism, and the dangerous illusion that religious affiliation can substitute for genuine repentance and obedience.

* [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Justice") - God rejects the sacrifices of a people whose hands are full of blood and injustice, demanding righteousness and justice.
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice") - "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
* [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees") - Jesus condemns the Pharisees for being like "whitewashed tombs," outwardly clean but inwardly full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:9 serves as a profound mirror for believers today, challenging us to honestly examine the authenticity of our faith. It warns against the danger of "nominal Christianity"—professing faith in God while living lives inconsistent with His commands. Just as Judah relied on the Temple, we can fall into the trap of relying on church attendance, religious rituals, or even theological knowledge as a substitute for genuine transformation and obedience. This verse calls us to a holistic faith where our worship in spirit and truth is reflected in our daily conduct. Are we truly walking after the one true God, or are we, perhaps subtly, pursuing "other gods" in the form of materialism, self-worship, societal approval, or worldly values that contradict God's Word? True devotion means living out God's justice, mercy, and humility in our relationships and rejecting any form of hypocrisy that separates our spiritual claims from our ethical realities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting hypocrisy, claiming faith in God while my actions contradict His commands?**
* **What "other gods" or idols might I be inadvertently "walking after" in my daily life, detracting from my exclusive devotion to Christ?**
* **How can I ensure that my outward religious practices are truly rooted in a transformed heart and genuine obedience to God's will?**

### FAQ
**What is the "Temple Sermon" and why is Jeremiah 7:9 so crucial to it?**

Answer: The "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15) is a pivotal message delivered by the prophet Jeremiah at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple. Its purpose was to confront the people of Judah's false sense of security, rooted in their belief that the mere presence of the Temple guaranteed God's protection, regardless of their sinful behavior. Jeremiah 7:9 is crucial because it directly exposes the egregious sins—both moral (stealing, murder, adultery, false swearing) and spiritual (idolatry, Baal worship)—that the people were committing even while participating in Temple rituals. It shatters their illusion of immunity, demonstrating that their outward religious practice was a hollow facade, and that God would not tolerate such hypocrisy, ultimately leading to the Temple's destruction and their exile, just as He had warned in passages like [Jeremiah 7:12-14](/jeremiah/7-12-14 "Jeremiah 7:12-14 - The Destruction of Shiloh as a Warning").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:9, with its searing indictment of hypocrisy and covenant breaking, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The sins listed—theft, murder, adultery, false swearing, and idolatry—are all manifestations of humanity's fallen nature and rebellion against God's perfect law. While the Old Covenant, with its commands and Temple rituals, exposed sin, it could not ultimately transform the heart or provide a lasting solution for humanity's deep-seated propensity to "walk after other gods." Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, He atoned for the very sins condemned in Jeremiah 7:9. Moreover, Christ inaugurates the New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah himself in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), where God's law is written not on tablets of stone but on the hearts of His people through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Believers are no longer called to merely avoid outward sins, but to be transformed from within, empowered by the Spirit to genuinely love God and neighbor ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Us")). Jesus Himself is the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")), and through Him, we offer spiritual sacrifices of righteousness and true worship, not by external ritual alone, but by lives devoted exclusively to Him, rejecting all other "gods" and living in genuine integrity and love ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15-16 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices Pleasing to 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

Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Jeremiah 7:6

[If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

Jeremiah 11:17

For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

James 4:1

¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Jeremiah 11:13

For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal.

1 Kings 18:21

¶ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.