King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 6:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 6:19 in the King James Version says “Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heark...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.”

Jeremiah 6:19 · KJV

Context

17

Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

18

Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

19

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

20

To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

21

Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

Read Jeremiah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God summons the earth itself to witness, emphasizing the cosmic significance of His judgment. The declaration 'I will bring evil upon this people' uses 'evil' in the sense of calamity or disaster as judicial punishment. The key phrase 'the fruit of their thoughts' reveals the root: judgment comes as the natural consequence of their mental and spiritual orientation. Their rejection is comprehensive: 'they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.' This verse illustrates the principle that sin produces its own consequences—the 'fruit' metaphor shows organic connection between thoughts, words, actions, and resulting judgment. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's judgments are both direct (His active intervention) and consequential (the natural outworking of sin).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The prophets consistently taught that idolatry begins in the mind and heart (Ezekiel 14:3-4). Judah's physical idolatry reflected prior mental and spiritual apostasy, which inevitably produced judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do our thought patterns shape the trajectory of our spiritual lives?
  2. What is the relationship between God's direct judgment and the natural consequences of sin?
  3. How should understanding that actions are 'fruit of thoughts' shape our spiritual disciplines?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
שִׁמְעִ֣י1 of 19

“Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הָאָ֔רֶץ2 of 19

“O earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הִנֵּ֨ה3 of 19
H2009

lo!

אָנֹכִ֜י4 of 19
H595

i

מֵבִ֥יא5 of 19

“behold I will bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

רָעָ֛ה6 of 19

“evil”

H7451

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

אֶל7 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָ֥ם8 of 19

“upon this people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֖ה9 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

פְּרִ֣י10 of 19

“even the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

מַחְשְׁבוֹתָ֑ם11 of 19

“of their thoughts”

H4284

a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)

כִּ֤י12 of 19
H3588

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

עַל13 of 19
H5921

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

דְּבָרַי֙14 of 19

“unto my words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לֹ֣א15 of 19
H3808

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

הִקְשִׁ֔יבוּ16 of 19

“because they have not hearkened”

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

וְתוֹרָתִ֖י17 of 19

“nor to my law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וַיִּמְאֲסוּ18 of 19

“but rejected”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

בָֽהּ׃19 of 19
H0

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 6:19 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 6:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:2Jeremiah 8:9Jeremiah 17:10Acts 8:22John 3:19-21Jeremiah 22:29

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