King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 6:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 6:11 in the King James Version says “Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, an... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.

Jeremiah 6:11 · KJV


Context

9

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.

10

To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

11

Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.

12

And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.

13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeremiah describes being 'full of the fury of the LORD' and weary of holding it back. This reveals the prophet's burden: he carries God's message of judgment, which demands proclamation despite opposition. The command 'pour it out' indicates judgment will be comprehensive, affecting all ages ('child in the street' to 'aged with him that is full of days'). The phrase 'husband with the wife' emphasizes that judgment crosses all social relationships. This verse illustrates that God's judgment, when it comes, is thorough and discriminating based on covenant unfaithfulness rather than age, gender, or social status.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian conquest affected all segments of Judean society. Archaeological evidence shows widespread destruction of cities and towns, with mass deportation of people from every social class.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jeremiah's weariness in holding back judgment teach about the prophet's role as messenger?
  2. How should the comprehensive nature of God's judgment affect our understanding of sin's seriousness?
  3. What is the relationship between God's patience (long-suffering) and the eventual outpouring of His wrath?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְאֵת֩1 of 24
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

חֲמַ֨ת2 of 24

of the fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

יְהוָ֤ה׀3 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

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

מָלֵ֙אתִי֙4 of 24

Therefore I am full

H4392

full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully

נִלְאֵ֣יתִי5 of 24

I am weary

H3811

to tire; (figuratively) to be (or make) disgusted

הָכִ֔יל6 of 24

with holding in

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

שְׁפֹ֤ךְ7 of 24

I will pour it out

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

עַל8 of 24
H5921

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

עוֹלָל֙9 of 24

upon the children

H5768

a suckling

בַּח֔וּץ10 of 24

abroad

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

וְעַ֛ל11 of 24
H5921

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

ס֥וֹד12 of 24

and upon the assembly

H5475

a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret

בַּחוּרִ֖ים13 of 24

of young men

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

יַחְדָּ֑ו14 of 24

together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

כִּֽי15 of 24
H3588

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

גַם16 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אִ֤ישׁ17 of 24

for even the husband

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עִם18 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אִשָּׁה֙19 of 24

with the wife

H802

a woman

יִלָּכֵ֔דוּ20 of 24

shall be taken

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

זָקֵ֖ן21 of 24

the aged

H2205

old

עִם22 of 24
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

מְלֵ֥א23 of 24

with him that is full

H4390

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

יָמִֽים׃24 of 24

of days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


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 6:11 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 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study