King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:15 in the King James Version says “What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. What: Heb. What is to my beloved in my house when: or, when thy evil is”

Jeremiah 11:15 · KJV

Context

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. shameful: Heb. shame

14

Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. trouble: Heb. evil

15

What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest. What: Heb. What is to my beloved in my house when: or, when thy evil is

16

The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.

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.

Read Jeremiah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse questions Israel's temple confidence: 'What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many?' The Hebrew yedidah (יְדִידָה, beloved) is an affectionate term for Israel, making the accusation more poignant. 'My house' (beithi) is the temple. 'Lewdness' (mezimmah) means schemes, plots, wicked purposes—here applied to syncretistic worship. Israel comes to God's house while practicing idolatry—spiritual adultery attending the husband's home. 'And the holy flesh is passed from thee' indicates sacrificial meat (basar haqqodesh) no longer benefits them. 'When thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.' They celebrate even while sinning—combining religious observance with moral rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah 7 elaborates this temple critique—trusting in 'lying words' about the temple's inviolability while violating covenant commands. Israel presumed that ritual observance and temple presence guaranteed divine favor regardless of ethical behavior. The prophets consistently rejected such mechanical religion (Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can religious activity coexist with spiritual adultery, and what makes this combination so offensive?
  2. What does the question 'what has my beloved to do in my house?' reveal about God's wounded love?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
מֶ֣ה1 of 14
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לִֽידִידִ֞י2 of 14

“What hath my beloved”

H3039

loved

בְּבֵיתִ֗י3 of 14

“to do in mine house”

H1004

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

עֲשׂוֹתָ֤הּ4 of 14

“seeing she hath wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַֽמְזִמָּ֙תָה֙5 of 14

“lewdness”

H4209

a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)

הָֽרַבִּ֔ים6 of 14

“with many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וּבְשַׂר7 of 14

“flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

קֹ֖דֶשׁ8 of 14

“and the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

יַעַבְר֣וּ9 of 14

“is passed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ10 of 14
H5921

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

כִּ֥י11 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָעָתֵ֖כִי12 of 14

“from thee when thou doest evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אָ֥ז13 of 14
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

תַּעֲלֹֽזִי׃14 of 14

“then thou rejoicest”

H5937

to jump for joy, i.e., exult

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 11:15 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 11:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 2:14Titus 1:15Isaiah 1:11-15Jeremiah 3:14Matthew 22:11Hosea 3:1

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