King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:10 in the King James Version says “For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. swearing: or, cursing course: or, violence”

Jeremiah 23:10 · KJV

Context

8

But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

9

Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

10

For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. swearing: or, cursing course: or, violence

11

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

12

Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the land is full of adulterers—na'aph (נָאַף) refers both to literal sexual immorality and spiritual adultery (covenant unfaithfulness). Jeremiah likely means both: the prophets' moral corruption (23:14) reflected and enabled widespread covenant breaking. Because of swearing the land mourneth—alah (אָלָה) means curse or oath-breaking, not profanity. The covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28 were activating. The pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up uses na'oth (נְאוֹת), meaning pastures or habitations, showing ecological judgment.

Their course is evil employs merutsah (מְרוּצָה), meaning running or pursuit—their life-direction races toward wickedness. Their force is not right uses geburah (גְּבוּרָה), meaning might or strength, indicating they exert power unrighteously. The verse links moral corruption (adultery), covenant violation (oath-breaking), environmental consequences (drought), and misdirected zeal (evil pursuits with wrongly applied strength). This holistic view of judgment—affecting land, society, and individuals—reflects Torah theology where covenant faithfulness brings blessing and unfaithfulness brings curse.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah prophesied during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah (627-586 BC). Despite Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 22-23), surface compliance masked deep-rooted idolatry and injustice. Archaeological evidence confirms this period experienced severe droughts, which Jeremiah interprets as covenant curse rather than random weather. The 'adulterers' included religious leaders who maintained temple rituals while practicing Baal worship and sexual immorality at high places. Oath-breaking pervaded society—false oaths in courts, broken treaties with foreign powers, and violated covenant commitments to God. The wilderness pastures drying up affected both nomadic shepherds and settled farmers, creating economic crisis that should have prompted repentance but instead hardened hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between moral corruption and environmental judgment challenge modern separation of ethics from ecology?
  2. In what ways might religious leaders today be 'full of adultery'—maintaining external orthodoxy while violating covenant faithfulness?
  3. What does 'their force is not right' teach about misdirected zeal and wrongly applied strength in spiritual pursuits?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּ֤י1 of 18
H3588

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

מְנָֽאֲפִים֙2 of 18

“of adulterers”

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

מָלְאָ֣ה3 of 18

“is full”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

הָאָ֔רֶץ4 of 18

“For the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּֽי5 of 18
H3588

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

מִפְּנֵ֤י6 of 18

“for because”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אָלָה֙7 of 18

“of swearing”

H423

an imprecation

אָבְלָ֣ה8 of 18

“mourneth”

H56

to bewail

הָאָ֔רֶץ9 of 18

“For the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יָבְשׁ֖וּ10 of 18

“are dried up”

H3001

to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)

נְא֣וֹת11 of 18

“the pleasant places”

H4999

a home; figuratively, a pasture

מִדְבָּ֑ר12 of 18

“of the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

וַתְּהִ֤י13 of 18
H1961

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

מְרֽוּצָתָם֙14 of 18

“and their course”

H4794

a race (the act), whether the manner or the progress

רָעָ֔ה15 of 18

“is evil”

H7451

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

וּגְבוּרָתָ֖ם16 of 18

“and their force”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

לֹא17 of 18
H3808

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

כֵֽן׃18 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

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 23:10 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 23:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 107:34Hosea 4:2-3Jeremiah 5:7-8Jeremiah 9:2Jeremiah 9:10Malachi 3:5

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