King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:30 in the King James Version says “For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house whic...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.”

Jeremiah 7:30 · KJV

Context

28

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. correction: or, instruction

29

Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

30

For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.

31

And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart. came: Heb. came it upon my heart

32

Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

Read Jeremiah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The reason for judgment: 'For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.' Not only did they practice idolatry generally, but they placed idols in the temple itself—the house bearing God's name. This represents ultimate covenant violation: defiling the sacred space dedicated to Yahweh's worship. The phrase 'in my sight' emphasizes that God witnesses all violations of His holiness. Polluting the temple that bore His name was simultaneously sacrilege and identity theft—claiming to worship Yahweh while serving idols.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological and biblical evidence confirms that pagan symbols and altars were erected even in the Jerusalem temple during periods of apostasy (2 Kings 21:4-5; Ezekiel 8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern believers risk polluting what bears God's name (the church, our bodies as temples)?
  2. What does this verse teach about the seriousness of syncretism and religious compromise?
  3. How should reverence for God's holiness inform our worship practices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּֽי1 of 16
H3588

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

עָשׂ֨וּ2 of 16

“have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְנֵי3 of 16

“For the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֥ה4 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הָרַ֛ע5 of 16

“evil”

H7451

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

בְּעֵינַ֖י6 of 16

“in my sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

נְאֻם7 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

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

שָׂ֣מוּ9 of 16

“they have set”

H7760

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

שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֗ם10 of 16

“their abominations”

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

בַּבַּ֛יִת11 of 16

“in the house”

H1004

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

אֲשֶׁר12 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִקְרָא13 of 16

“which is called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמִ֥י14 of 16

“by my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עָלָ֖יו15 of 16
H5921

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

לְטַמְּאֽוֹ׃16 of 16

“to pollute”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

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 7:30 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 7:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 7:20Jeremiah 32:34Daniel 9:272 Chronicles 33:4-52 Chronicles 33:72 Kings 21:7

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