Jeremiah 9:13

KJV

And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} saith {H559}, Because they have forsaken {H5800} my law {H8451} which I set {H5414} before {H6440} them, and have not obeyed {H8085} my voice {H6963}, neither walked {H1980} therein;

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI answers: "Because they abandoned my Torah, which I set before them, and neither listened to what I said nor lived accordingly,

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD answered, “It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not walked in it or obeyed My voice.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:13 encapsulates the Lord's solemn and definitive declaration, revealing the profound spiritual failures of the people of Judah as the direct and just cause for their impending judgment. This verse functions as a divine indictment, unequivocally stating that their suffering is not arbitrary but a righteous consequence of their deliberate abandonment of God's covenantal instruction, their stubborn refusal to heed His divine communication, and their pervasive failure to live in accordance with His revealed will. It powerfully underscores the immutable principle that persistent disobedience to God's established law inevitably leads to severe and deserved consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 9:13 is strategically positioned within a significant section of the book (chapters 7-10) where the prophet Jeremiah delivers a series of uncompromising pronouncements of God's judgment against Judah. This judgment is rooted in their rampant idolatry, pervasive moral corruption, and superficial, false worship. Specifically, verse 13 serves as God's direct and unambiguous answer to a lament over the desolation of the land and the people's suffering (as seen in [Jeremiah 9:10-12](/jeremiah/9-10-12 "Jeremiah 9:10-12 - Lament Over Desolation")), which implicitly or explicitly raises the question of *why* such destruction is occurring. By providing the divine explanation, this verse leaves no room for doubt regarding the cause of God's punitive actions. It acts as a crucial theological anchor, illuminating the profound *reason* behind the impending *reality* of Judah's doom, setting the stage for further pronouncements of judgment and urgent calls for repentance, emphasizing that the looming Babylonian exile is a direct consequence of their covenant infidelity rather than a capricious act of divine wrath.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a tumultuous and spiritually dark period in Judah, spanning from the reign of the reforming King Josiah through the final collapse of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). Despite Josiah's earnest efforts to restore true worship and adherence to God's law, the nation tragically and swiftly reverted to widespread idolatry and social injustice following his death. The people had deeply assimilated pagan practices, including the horrific act of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom (cf. [Jeremiah 7:31](/jeremiah/7-31 "Jeremiah 7:31 - Topheth and Child Sacrifice")), and had placed their misplaced trust in superficial religious rituals and the mere presence of the Temple, rather than cultivating genuine obedience to God's covenantal law (cf. [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - Trusting in the Temple")). The "law" (`Torah`) referenced in the verse signifies the comprehensive covenant stipulations given by Yahweh at Mount Sinai, which formed the very foundation of Israel's unique relationship with their God. To "forsake" this sacred law and "not obey His voice" constituted an egregious act of rebellion against their covenant Lord, particularly within a cultural framework where divine commands were understood as absolutely binding and carried direct, tangible implications for the nation's well-being and very existence.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 9:13 profoundly articulates and reinforces several overarching themes central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Infidelity**. God's judgment is consistently presented throughout Jeremiah as a direct and just response to Judah's egregious breach of the covenant, which explicitly mandated exclusive worship of Yahweh and unwavering adherence to His moral and ritual laws. Their deliberate forsaking of the law and their stubborn refusal to obey His voice represent a comprehensive and culpable rejection of this sacred covenant. Secondly, the verse unequivocally underscores **Divine Justice and Consequences**. It clearly articulates that God's actions are not arbitrary or vindictive but are perfectly righteous responses to human sin, demonstrating the inviolable principle that disobedience invariably leads to dire consequences, echoing the solemn warnings found throughout [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). Lastly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **The Indispensable Importance of Obedience to God's Word**. The repeated emphasis on "my law," "my voice," and the failure to "walk therein" forcefully stresses that true faith is manifested not merely by ritualistic observance or verbal profession, but by active, practical, and consistent adherence to God's revealed will. This truth is a pervasive and foundational theme throughout the prophetic corpus and wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 3:1-2](/proverbs/3-1-2 "Proverbs 3:1-2 - The Benefits of Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **forsaken (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** This word (H5800) denotes a deliberate and active relinquishing, abandoning, or leaving something behind. It implies a conscious choice to disengage from or neglect a prior commitment, relationship, or obligation. In the context of Jeremiah 9:13, it signifies more than a passive drifting away; it is an active desertion of God's law, indicating a profound and culpable rejection of their covenantal responsibilities. This "forsaking" is a willful act of rebellion, severing the sacred bond between God and His people.
* **law (Hebrew, _tôwrâh'_):** H8451, `Torah`, is far more expansive and comprehensive than a mere collection of legal statutes. It refers to God's divine instruction, teaching, and guidance, encompassing the entire body of revealed truth given to Israel, particularly through Moses. It was divinely intended to shape their lives, govern their society, and define the very nature of their relationship with God. To forsake the `Torah` meant to abandon the very blueprint for a flourishing life and a holy relationship with their Creator, choosing instead a path of self-will, idolatry, and moral decay.
* **walked (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** H1980, `halak`, literally means "to walk," but it is employed extensively in a rich figurative sense to describe one's conduct, manner of life, or habitual behavior. When God states they "neither walked therein," it signifies their pervasive failure to embody or live out the principles of His law and voice in their daily lives. It points to a profound and tragic disconnect between knowing God's commands and practically applying them, demonstrating a fundamental lack of consistent, obedient living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the indictment, directly stating the primary charge against the people of Judah. The phrase "forsaken my law" highlights a deliberate, active, and culpable abandonment of the covenantal instruction God had graciously provided. It implies a conscious turning away from the foundational principles that were meant to guide their lives and sustain their unique relationship with Yahweh. This was not merely passive neglect but a willful and rebellious rejection.
* **"which I set before them,":** This crucial phrase underscores God's intentionality, clarity, and condescension in revealing His will. The law was not hidden, obscure, or inaccessible; it was explicitly "set before them," implying both its full accessibility and its inherently binding nature. God had clearly articulated His expectations and provided all necessary guidance for a righteous life, rendering Judah's subsequent disobedience utterly inexcusable. This emphasizes divine grace in revelation and the clarity of the covenant's terms.
* **"and have not obeyed my voice,":** This clause specifies another critical dimension of their comprehensive disobedience: a profound failure to listen and respond with compliance to God's ongoing communication. "My voice" refers to the continuous stream of prophetic warnings, instructions, and urgent calls to repentance delivered through His chosen messengers, including Jeremiah himself. Their refusal to "obey" (from the Hebrew `shama`, meaning to hear *and* obey) indicates a hardened heart and a stubborn, unyielding unwillingness to submit to divine authority, demonstrating a deep spiritual deafness.
* **"neither walked therein;":** This final clause describes the practical, pervasive manifestation of their spiritual rebellion. To "walk therein" signifies living consistently in accordance with God's law and voice. Their failure to do so means that their daily lives, their societal structures, and their personal conduct did not reflect the divine principles they had so thoroughly abandoned. It points to a pervasive pattern of unrighteous conduct, rampant idolatry, and systemic social injustice, demonstrating a complete and tragic disconnect between their theoretical knowledge of God's will and their actual behavior. This highlights the comprehensive nature of their disobedience, affecting both their internal disposition and their external actions.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with profound impact and authority. The primary device is **Divine Indictment**, wherein God Himself directly pronounces the charges against His people, imbuing the accusation with immense authority, gravity, and irrefutability. This is powerfully reinforced by **Repetition** and **Parallelism** in the description of Judah's comprehensive failures: "forsaken my law," "not obeyed my voice," and "neither walked therein." These three phrases, while distinct in their nuance, are deeply interconnected, emphasizing the holistic nature of their disobedience—a rejection of God's foundational instruction, a refusal to listen to His ongoing commands, and a pervasive failure to live out His will in practice. This cumulative effect dramatically underscores the profound depth of their covenant infidelity. Furthermore, the phrase "my voice" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like qualities (speaking, having a voice) to God, which makes His communication feel immediate and intensely personal, thereby heightening the sense of their direct and personal rebellion against Him. The entire verse also functions as a concise form of a **Covenant Lawsuit** (or *rib* in Hebrew), a common prophetic motif where God presents His formal case against His people for breaching the solemn terms of their covenant agreement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:13 stands as a profound theological statement on the unwavering nature of God's justice and the inevitable consequences of persistent covenant infidelity. It unequivocally reveals that God's judgment is never arbitrary but is always a righteous and just response to deliberate and entrenched disobedience. The verse underscores the sanctity, authority, and life-giving nature of God's law (`Torah`), which He "set before them" as the very foundation for their existence as His chosen people. Their deliberate forsaking of this law, their stubborn refusal to obey His voice, and their pervasive failure to "walk therein" collectively represent a comprehensive rejection of their covenant relationship, demonstrating a profound spiritual apathy, rebellion, and contempt for their Divine Lord. This passage teaches us that God's holy character demands a response of heartfelt obedience from His people, and that ignoring His revealed will leads inevitably to spiritual and often temporal consequences, highlighting the immutable principle that actions have profound consequences within the divine-human relationship.

Further theological connections include:
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience") This passage meticulously details the severe curses that would befall Israel if they disobeyed God's commands, providing the foundational covenantal framework and precedent for the judgment described in Jeremiah.
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") This iconic verse famously declares that "to obey is better than sacrifice," powerfully emphasizing that God values heartfelt, practical obedience over mere outward religious ritual or ceremonial performance, a profound truth Judah had tragically neglected.
* [Psalm 119:1](/psalms/119-1 "Psalm 119:1 - Blessed are the Undefiled") This extensive psalm praises those "whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD," contrasting sharply with Judah's failure to "walk therein" and highlighting the abundant blessings intrinsically associated with diligent obedience to God's statutes.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:13 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for believers today, challenging us to deeply examine the authenticity and depth of our own obedience and devotion to God. It powerfully reminds us that mere intellectual knowledge of God's Word is woefully insufficient; true, living faith is profoundly demonstrated by actively living according to His commands and diligently heeding His voice in all areas of life. In an age characterized by an overwhelming abundance of information, it is alarmingly easy to accumulate vast amounts of biblical knowledge without allowing it to genuinely transform our daily conduct, our character, and our choices. This verse issues a radical call to a profound commitment to practical obedience, compelling us to recognize that our actions carry significant spiritual consequences and are a direct reflection of the true state of our hearts. Just as ancient Judah faced severe judgment for their pervasive unfaithfulness, we are called to cultivate a responsive and tender heart that not only hears but also diligently obeys God's divine instruction, allowing His `Torah` to truly govern our lives and meticulously guide our every step. Our daily "walk" should be a living, breathing testament to our profound love for Him, demonstrating unequivocally that we have not forsaken His law, but rather have embraced it as the very path to abundant life and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be subtly or overtly "forsaking" God's law, perhaps through neglect, compromise, or deliberate disobedience?**
* **How consistently and genuinely do I "obey God's voice" as it is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and through the gentle, yet firm, guidance of the Holy Spirit? Am I truly listening with an intent to respond and comply?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I commit to taking to ensure that my daily "walk" truly aligns with God's commands and not merely with my own desires, cultural pressures, or personal convenience?**
* **How does a deeper understanding of the divine consequences for disobedience, as highlighted in this verse, motivate and inspire me to pursue a life of greater faithfulness and unwavering obedience?**

### FAQ
**What does "my law which I set before them" refer to?**

Answer: "My law" refers to the `Torah`, which is God's divine instruction, teaching, and guidance given to the nation of Israel, primarily through Moses at Mount Sinai. This comprehensive body of revelation encompasses the Ten Commandments, the various statutes, ordinances, and moral principles found throughout the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The crucial phrase "which I set before them" emphasizes that this law was not hidden, obscure, or inaccessible; it was clearly, explicitly, and publicly revealed to the people, making their subsequent disobedience utterly inexcusable. It served as the foundational covenant document that meticulously defined their unique relationship with Yahweh and precisely prescribed the way they were to live as His chosen people, ensuring their blessing if they obeyed and curses if they disobeyed (cf. [Deuteronomy 11:26-28](/deuteronomy/11-26-28 "Deuteronomy 11:26-28 - Blessings and Curses Set Before You")).

**What is the significance of Judah not having "obeyed my voice, neither walked therein"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the comprehensive and pervasive nature of Judah's rebellion against God. "Not obeyed my voice" (from the Hebrew verb `shama`, meaning to hear with the intent to respond and comply) signifies their profound failure to listen to and act upon God's ongoing communication. This refers particularly to their disregard for the continuous prophetic warnings, instructions, and urgent calls to repentance delivered through His messengers, such as Jeremiah himself. This indicates a hardened heart, spiritual deafness, and a stubborn refusal to yield to divine authority. "Neither walked therein" refers to their practical conduct and lifestyle. To "walk" in biblical terms often signifies one's manner of life, behavior, or habitual conduct. Thus, their failure to "walk therein" means they did not live according to the principles of God's law and voice. It points to a pervasive pattern of unrighteous behavior, rampant idolatry, and systemic social injustice that demonstrated a complete and tragic disconnect between their theoretical knowledge of God's will and their actual daily lives (cf. [Psalm 119:1](/psalms/119-1 "Psalm 119:1 - Blessed are the Undefiled")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 9:13, with its stark portrayal of ancient Israel's profound failure to obey God's law and walk in His ways, finds its ultimate fulfillment, perfect resolution, and redemptive answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Where Israel, as a corporate entity, tragically failed to uphold the covenant, Jesus, as the true Israelite and the perfect Son, perfectly succeeded. He did not "forsake" God's law but rather declared, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Jesus perfectly "obeyed God's voice," demonstrating complete and unwavering submission to the Father's will throughout His earthly life, even unto the ignominious death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). He is the very embodiment of the `Torah`, the living Word of God made flesh, through whom God's divine instruction is not merely "set before" us as an external code, but perfectly exemplified and incarnated ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Furthermore, Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross directly addresses the very sin of forsaking God's law, providing complete forgiveness, profound reconciliation, and cleansing for all who believe in Him ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Through the glorious New Covenant, established in His precious blood, God promises to write His law not merely on tablets of stone but supernaturally on the hearts and minds of His people, thereby enabling them to genuinely "walk therein" by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Ezekiel 36:27](/ezekiel/36-27 "Ezekiel 36:27 - New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, what was utterly impossible for Old Covenant Israel to achieve in their own fallen strength becomes gloriously possible for believers in Christ, who empowers us to live lives of true obedience, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law not by our own efforts, but through His Spirit working within us ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Life in the 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

2 Chronicles 7:19

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

Jeremiah 22:9

Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

Ezra 9:10

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Psalms 119:53

¶ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

Zephaniah 3:1

¶ Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

Zephaniah 3:6

I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

Psalms 89:30

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;