King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 16:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 16:10 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hat... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

Jeremiah 16:10 · KJV


Context

8

Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.

9

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

10

And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

11

Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;

12

And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me: imagination: or, stubbornness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah anticipates the people's response: 'And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?' Three questions reveal spiritual blindness: (1) Why has God pronounced judgment? (2) What is our iniquity? (3) What sin have we committed? This demonstrates that persistent sin blinds people to their guilt. They genuinely cannot see what they've done wrong despite obvious violations. This illustrates total depravity's noetic effects—sin darkens understanding so that sinners cannot accurately assess their spiritual condition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite decades of prophetic indictment specifying their sins (idolatry, injustice, covenant breaking), Judah maintained self-righteous blindness. This demonstrates how persistent sin hardens hearts and darkens minds.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does persistent sin blind people to their own guilt?
  2. What does spiritual blindness to obvious sin reveal about the human condition apart from grace?
  3. How should ministers respond when people genuinely cannot see sins that are obvious to others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּ֤י2 of 29
H3588

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

תַגִּיד֙3 of 29

And it shall come to pass when thou shalt shew

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָעָ֣ם4 of 29

this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֔ה5 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֵ֥ת6 of 29
H853

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

כָּל7 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֖ים8 of 29

all these words

H1697

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

הָאֵ֑לֶּה9 of 29
H428

these or those

וְאָמְר֣וּ10 of 29

and they shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֗יךָ11 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַל12 of 29
H5921

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

מֶה֩13 of 29
H4100

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

דִבֶּ֨ר14 of 29

pronounced

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לַֽיהוָ֥ה15 of 29

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙16 of 29
H5921

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

אֵ֣ת17 of 29
H853

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

כָּל18 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָרָעָ֤ה19 of 29

evil

H7451

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

הַגְּדוֹלָה֙20 of 29

all this great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַזֹּ֔את21 of 29
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וּמֶ֤ה22 of 29
H4100

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

עֲוֹנֵ֙נוּ֙23 of 29

against us or what is our iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּמֶ֣ה24 of 29
H4100

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

חַטָּאתֵ֔נוּ25 of 29

or what is our sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

אֲשֶׁ֥ר26 of 29
H834

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

חָטָ֖אנוּ27 of 29

that we have committed

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לַֽיהוָ֥ה28 of 29

against the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃29 of 29

our God

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


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 16:10 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 16:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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