King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:9 in the King James Version says “Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and se...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 22:9 · KJV

Context

7

And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

8

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?

9

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

10

Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

11

For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God—the response identifies covenant abandonment as the cause. The verb azav (עָזַב, 'forsaken') means to completely abandon or desert, used of Israel's apostasy throughout Scripture (Judges 2:12-13, 1 Kings 9:9). The covenant (berit, בְּרִית) is Israel's fundamental relationship with YHWH, established at Sinai and renewed under David. Breaking berit violated the nation's constitutional foundation, not merely religious rules. The phrase the LORD their God (YHWH eloheihem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם) emphasizes relationship: He was 'their God'—they had unique covenant intimacy, which made their betrayal more grievous.

And worshipped other gods, and served them—this specifies the covenant breach. Vayishtachavu (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ, 'worshipped') means to bow down in homage, and vaya'avdum (וַיַּעַבְדוּם, 'served') means to render religious service or labor. Both terms appear in the Ten Commandments' prohibition (Exodus 20:5). The progression—forsaking covenant, then worshiping other gods—shows that idolatry is the inevitable result of abandoning YHWH. This fulfills Moses's warning in Deuteronomy 29:25-26: future generations will say, 'Because they have forsaken the covenant...and went and served other gods.' The answer is so obvious even pagans can articulate it: visible judgment reveals invisible apostasy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse provides the theological interpretation of 586 BC: Jerusalem fell because of covenant unfaithfulness, specifically idolatry. Judah's syncretism was well-documented: Manasseh built altars to pagan gods in the temple itself (2 Kings 21:4-7), Josiah's reform discovered widespread Baal and Asherah worship (2 Kings 23:4-14), and even after reform, the people continued secret idolatry (Ezekiel 8:7-12). The covenant (berit) required exclusive loyalty to YHWH (Exodus 20:3-5), but Judah violated this systematically. The prophets repeatedly identified idolatry as the core sin bringing exile (Jeremiah 7:9, 11:10, Ezekiel 6:4-6). Deuteronomy's covenant curses (28:15-68) promised exactly this outcome: exile for idolatry. The fulfillment vindicated prophetic warnings and established a pattern: covenant blessing requires covenant fidelity. The early church applied this principle: spiritual apostasy brings judgment (Hebrews 10:26-31, 2 Peter 2:20-21). Even unbelievers could discern the cause-effect relationship between idolatry and destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the progression from 'forsaken the covenant' to 'worshipped other gods' teach about how abandoning God inevitably leads to serving false gods?
  2. How does this verse demonstrate that the covenant (<em>berit</em>) was not merely religious preference but the constitutional foundation of Israel's existence as a nation?
  3. What does the clarity of this answer—even to pagans—reveal about how visible judgment makes invisible spiritual apostasy undeniable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאָ֣מְר֔וּ1 of 12

“Then they shall answer”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַ֚ל2 of 12
H5921

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 12
H834

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

עָֽזְב֔וּ4 of 12

“Because they have forsaken”

H5800

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

אֶת5 of 12
H853

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

בְּרִ֥ית6 of 12

“the covenant”

H1285

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

יְהוָ֖ה7 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

לֵאלֹהִ֥ים8 of 12

“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

וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֛וּ9 of 12

“and worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לֵאלֹהִ֥ים10 of 12

“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

אֲחֵרִ֖ים11 of 12

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיַּעַבְדֽוּם׃12 of 12

“and served”

H5647

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

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 22:9 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 22:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 34:252 Kings 22:17Jeremiah 2:17-19Deuteronomy 29:25-28Jeremiah 40:2-3Jeremiah 50:7

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