King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 6:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 6:7 in the King James Version says “As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me c...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.”

Jeremiah 6:7 · KJV

Context

5

Arise, and let us go by night, and let us destroy her palaces.

6

For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her. cast: or, pour out the engine of shot

7

As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.

8

Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. depart: Heb. be loosed, or, disjointed

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.

Read Jeremiah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Using the metaphor of a well continually producing fresh water, God describes Jerusalem as constantly generating wickedness. The parallel phrases 'violence and spoil' with 'grief and wounds' reveal both the actions (violence/spoil) and their consequences (grief/wounds). The phrase 'is heard in her' suggests that violence has become so commonplace it's the defining sound of the city. This illustrates total depravity's tendency toward systemic, self-perpetuating sin. Just as a well's water reflects its source, Jerusalem's actions reveal the corruption of her heart. The 'before me continually' emphasizes God's omniscient observation of all injustice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pre-exilic Jerusalem saw increasing social stratification, with the wealthy oppressing the poor through predatory lending, land seizure, and corrupt courts—all condemned by prophets like Jeremiah, Amos, and Micah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the 'fresh water' metaphor teach about sin's self-perpetuating nature apart from divine intervention?
  2. How can societies become so desensitized to violence and injustice that they become 'the sound' of the culture?
  3. What role does God's omniscient awareness ('before me continually') play in understanding accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הֵקֵ֣רָה1 of 15

“casteth out”

H6979

to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)

בַּ֙וִר֙2 of 15

“As a fountain”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

מֵימֶ֔יהָ3 of 15

“her waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

כֵּ֖ן4 of 15
H3651

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

הֵקֵ֣רָה5 of 15

“casteth out”

H6979

to trench; by implication, to throw forth; to wall up, whether literal (to build a wall) or figurative (to estop)

רָעָתָ֑הּ6 of 15

“her wickedness”

H7451

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

חָמָ֣ס7 of 15

“violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

וָ֠שֹׁד8 of 15

“and spoil”

H7701

violence, ravage

יִשָּׁ֨מַע9 of 15

“is heard”

H8085

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

בָּ֧הּ10 of 15
H0
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

פָּנַ֛י12 of 15

“in her before me”

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

תָּמִ֖יד13 of 15

“continually”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

חֳלִ֥י14 of 15

“is grief”

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

וּמַכָּֽה׃15 of 15

“and wounds”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

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 6:7 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 6:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 7:23Jeremiah 20:8Ezekiel 7:11Isaiah 57:20James 3:10-12Micah 3:1-3

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