King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 6:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 6:8 in the King James Version says “Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. depart:...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 6:8 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Jeremiah 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Despite the severe condemnation, God offers a final warning: 'Be thou instructed' (Hebrew 'yasar'—disciplined, corrected). This demonstrates divine patience, giving opportunity for repentance even as judgment approaches. The threat 'lest my soul depart from thee' uses anthropomorphic language to describe God withdrawing His covenant presence. The consequences are stark: desolation and abandonment ('a land not inhabited'). This verse encapsulates the Reformed understanding of God's character: He is both just in judgment and merciful in warning, delighting more in repentance than destruction (Ezekiel 33:11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's prophetic ministry spanned the final decades before Jerusalem's fall, repeatedly calling for repentance. This warning represents God's persistent efforts to turn Judah from destruction through prophetic witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's warning 'be thou instructed' demonstrate His mercy even in the midst of threatened judgment?
  2. What does it mean for God's presence to depart from a people or place?
  3. How should we respond when God's warnings become increasingly urgent and severe?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
הִוָּסְרִי֙1 of 12

“Be thou instructed”

H3256

to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct

יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם2 of 12

“O Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

פֶּן3 of 12
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תֵּקַ֥ע4 of 12

“depart”

H3363

properly, to sever oneself, i.e., (by implication) to be dislocated; figuratively, to abandon; causatively, to impale (and thus allow to drop to piece

נַפְשִׁ֖י5 of 12

“lest my soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

מִמֵּ֑ךְ6 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

פֶּן7 of 12
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

אֲשִׂימֵ֣ךְ8 of 12

“from thee lest I make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שְׁמָמָ֔ה9 of 12

“thee desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

אֶ֖רֶץ10 of 12

“a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

ל֥וֹא11 of 12
H3808

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

נוֹשָֽׁבָה׃12 of 12

“not inhabited”

H3427

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

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 6:8 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 6:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:18Hosea 9:12Jeremiah 17:23Jeremiah 32:33Jeremiah 35:13-15Zephaniah 3:7

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 6 →

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