King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 6:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 6:12 in the King James Version says “And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 6:12 · KJV

Context

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.

14

They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. hurt: Heb. bruise, or, breach

Read Jeremiah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The consequences of judgment include transfer of property: 'their houses shall be turned unto others.' The phrase 'with their fields and wives together' indicates total dispossession. God will 'stretch out my hand' (a gesture of judgment throughout Scripture) upon Judah's inhabitants. This reflects covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28:30-33, where disobedience results in others enjoying what you built and planted. Reformed theology sees this as the principle of divine justice: persistent covenant breaking leads to forfeiture of covenant blessings. The comprehensive loss (houses, fields, wives) demonstrates that sin's consequences affect every dimension of life.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Babylon conquered Judah, they deported leaders and skilled workers while redistributing land to the poor who remained (2 Kings 25:12). This fulfilled the curse of foreigners and strangers inheriting what belonged to covenant breakers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the covenant curses in Deuteronomy help us understand God's judgments in redemptive history?
  2. What does the totality of loss teach about sin's devastating effects on every area of life?
  3. How should the principle of stewardship inform our view of material possessions as covenant blessings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְנָסַ֤בּוּ1 of 15

“shall be turned”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

בָֽתֵּיהֶם֙2 of 15

“And their houses”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לַאֲחֵרִ֔ים3 of 15

“unto others”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

שָׂד֥וֹת4 of 15

“with their fields”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְנָשִׁ֖ים5 of 15

“and wives”

H802

a woman

יַחְדָּ֑ו6 of 15

“together”

H3162

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

כִּֽי7 of 15
H3588

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

אַטֶּ֧ה8 of 15

“for I will stretch out”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֶת9 of 15
H853

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

יָדִ֛י10 of 15

“my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל11 of 15
H5921

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

יֹשְׁבֵ֥י12 of 15

“upon the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֖רֶץ13 of 15

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נְאֻם14 of 15

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

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 6:12 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 6:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 8:10Isaiah 5:251 Chronicles 21:16Zephaniah 1:13Isaiah 10:4Deuteronomy 28:39-43

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