King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:10 in the King James Version says “They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers , which refused to hear my words; and they went after other ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers , which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

Jeremiah 11:10 · KJV


Context

8

Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. imagination: or, stubbornness

9

And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

10

They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers , which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

11

Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. to escape: Heb. to go forth of

12

Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. trouble: Heb. evil


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the conspiracy: 'They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words.' The Hebrew shuvu (שָׁבוּ, turned back) indicates deliberate return to ancestral sins—not original rebellion but recapitulation. 'Forefathers' (avotham harishonim, their first/former fathers) refers to previous generations who broke covenant. 'And they went after other gods to serve them.' The phrase 'other gods' (elohim acherim) echoes the first commandment's prohibition (Exodus 20:3). 'The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.' Both kingdoms—northern Israel and southern Judah—violated the Sinai covenant. The verb 'broken' (hepheru) means to annul, invalidate, make void.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Northern Israel's apostasy under Jeroboam established Baal worship (1 Kings 12:25-33) that culminated in Assyrian exile (722 BC). Judah, despite witnessing Israel's fate, repeated the pattern under Manasseh (2 Kings 21). Josiah's reforms temporarily reversed the trend, but his successors returned to ancestral sins. The parallel mention of both kingdoms shows Judah learned nothing from Israel's destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'turning back to ancestral iniquities' reveal about sin's generational patterns?
  2. How did Judah's failure to learn from Israel's judgment compound their guilt?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
שָׁ֩בוּ֩1 of 27

They are turned back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

עַל2 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֲוֹנֹ֨ת3 of 27

to the iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

אֲבוֹתָֽם׃4 of 27

with their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֗ים5 of 27

of their forefathers

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר6 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מֵֽאֲנוּ֙7 of 27

which refused

H3985

to refuse

לִשְׁמ֣וֹעַ8 of 27

to hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת9 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דְּבָרַ֔י10 of 27

my words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְהֵ֣מָּה11 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

הָלְכ֗וּ12 of 27

and they went

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַחֲרֵ֛י13 of 27

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֥ים14 of 27

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִ֖ים15 of 27

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

לְעָבְדָ֑ם16 of 27

to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

הֵפֵ֤רוּ17 of 27

have broken

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

וּבֵ֣ית18 of 27

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙19 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּבֵ֣ית20 of 27

and the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֔ה21 of 27

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶת22 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּרִיתִ֕י23 of 27

my covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר24 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

כָּרַ֖תִּי25 of 27

which I made

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶת26 of 27
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֲבוֹתָֽם׃27 of 27

with their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 11:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 11:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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