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Jeremiah 22:9

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

Then they shall answer {H559}, Because they have forsaken {H5800} the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, and worshipped {H7812} other {H312} gods {H430}, and served {H5647} them.

The answer will be, 'Because they abandoned the covenant of ADONAI their God and worshipped other gods, serving them.'"

Then people will reply, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and have worshiped and served other gods.’”

Then they shall answer, Because they forsook the covenant of Jehovah their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

Commentary

Jeremiah 22:9 provides a profound and direct answer to the question of why Judah faced such severe judgment and desolation. It succinctly attributes the nation's impending doom to their profound spiritual unfaithfulness and abandonment of their covenant with God.

Context of Jeremiah 22:9

This verse is part of a larger prophetic discourse delivered by Jeremiah, the "weeping prophet," during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian captivity. The preceding verse, Jeremiah 22:8, sets the scene: "And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?" Verse 9 then delivers the divine explanation. This passage emphasizes God's righteous judgment upon Judah for their persistent rebellion and idolatry, despite numerous warnings from His prophets.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covenant Breach: The central accusation is that Judah "forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God." This refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai, which outlined specific blessings for obedience and severe curses for disobedience, as detailed in Deuteronomy 28. Their actions directly violated the terms of this sacred agreement with God.
  • Idolatry and Disobedience: The verse explicitly states they "worshipped other gods, and served them." This highlights the rampant idolatry that plagued Judah, where the people turned away from the worship of the one true God to pagan deities like Baal and Asherah. This was a direct transgression of the first commandment, which forbids having "no other gods before me," and the second, which prohibits graven images.
  • Divine Justice and Consequences: Jeremiah 22:9 underscores God's righteous judgment. It demonstrates that God is faithful to His word, not only in blessing but also in bringing forth the promised consequences for disobedience. The suffering and exile of Judah were not arbitrary but a just response to their sustained rebellion and spiritual unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berith (בְּרִית), which denotes a solemn, binding agreement or treaty. In this context, it signifies the unique and sacred relationship God initiated with Israel, based on His promises and their required obedience. To "forsake" (עָזַב - 'azav) this covenant implies a deliberate and conscious abandonment, a turning away from the foundational principles of their national and spiritual identity, rather than an accidental or unintentional lapse.

Practical Application

While specific to ancient Judah, the message of Jeremiah 22:9 holds enduring relevance for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • The Call to Undivided Devotion: Just as ancient Israel was tempted by physical idols, modern believers can be sidetracked by "gods" of materialism, power, comfort, personal ambition, or even self. This verse calls for a singular devotion to the Lord, recognizing that anything that takes His rightful place in our lives can become an idol.
  • The Reality of Spiritual Consequences: Though we live under grace, persistent spiritual unfaithfulness and turning away from God can still lead to difficult consequences in our lives and relationships. Maintaining a faithful and obedient walk with God is crucial for spiritual well-being and flourishing.
  • God's Consistent Character: The Lord's character and principles remain constant. He is a God of immense love and mercy, but also of justice and holiness. Understanding this helps us appreciate the seriousness of our commitments to Him and the importance of living in alignment with His will, much like the principles found in the greatest commandment to love God with all our being.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 22:17 (4 votes)

    Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:25 (4 votes)

    Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.

  • Deuteronomy 29:25 (2 votes)

    Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

  • Deuteronomy 29:28 (2 votes)

    And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.

  • Jeremiah 40:2 (2 votes)

    And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.

  • Jeremiah 40:3 (2 votes)

    Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

  • Jeremiah 50:7 (2 votes)

    All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.