King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 2:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 2:19 in the King James Version says “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an e...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.”

Jeremiah 2:19 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

17

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

20

For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress ; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. transgress: or, serve

21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

Read Jeremiah 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel's own wickedness and backslidings will correct and reprove them through inherent consequences. Forsaking God and lacking fear of Him produces bitter results—sin contains its own punishment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse from Jeremiah 2 continues God's covenant lawsuit against Judah, delivered during the late 7th century BC as the nation spiraled toward Babylonian exile. The prophetic indictment addresses systematic idolatry, failed political alliances, and spiritual adultery that characterized Judah from Manasseh through Jehoiakim's reigns. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread syncretistic worship practices condemned here.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this accusation against ancient Israel reveal patterns of spiritual unfaithfulness that might appear in different forms today?
  2. What does God's persistent lawsuit demonstrate about His desire for His people's return versus immediate judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
תְּיַסְּרֵ֣ךְ1 of 20

“shall correct”

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

רַ֣ע2 of 20

“Thine own wickedness”

H7451

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

וּמְשֻֽׁבוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙3 of 20

“thee and thy backslidings”

H4878

apostasy

תּוֹכִחֻ֔ךְ4 of 20

“shall reprove”

H3198

to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict

וּדְעִ֤י5 of 20

“thee know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וּרְאִי֙6 of 20

“therefore and see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּי7 of 20
H3588

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

רַ֣ע8 of 20

“Thine own wickedness”

H7451

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

וָמָ֔ר9 of 20

“thing and bitter”

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

עָזְבֵ֖ךְ10 of 20

“that thou hast forsaken”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת11 of 20
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֑יִךְ13 of 20

“thy 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

וְלֹ֤א14 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

פַחְדָּתִי֙15 of 20

“and that my fear”

H6345

alarm (i.e., awe)

אֵלַ֔יִךְ16 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם17 of 20

“is not in thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י18 of 20

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֖ה19 of 20

“GOD”

H3069

god

צְבָאֽוֹת׃20 of 20

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

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 2:19 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 2:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 3:9Psalms 36:1Jeremiah 2:17Jeremiah 4:18Hosea 11:7Hosea 5:5

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