King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:6 in the King James Version says “If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:”

Jeremiah 7:6 · KJV

Context

4

Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.

5

For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;

6

If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

7

Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.

8

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

Read Jeremiah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The amendment requirements continue with three prohibitions: 'If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow' (gēr-yāṯôm wĕʾalmānâ lōʾ ṯaʿăšōqû, גֵּר־יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה לֹא תַעֲשֹׁקוּ). These three groups—foreigner (gēr), orphan (yāṯôm), widow (ʾalmānâ)—represent society's most vulnerable, lacking family protection and legal advocates. The verb ʿāšaq (oppress, exploit) means taking advantage through power imbalance. Covenant law repeatedly commanded protecting these groups (Exodus 22:21-24, Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:17-21), reflecting God's character (Psalm 68:5, 146:9). The second prohibition: 'and shed not innocent blood in this place' (wĕḏām nāqî ʾal-tišpĕḵû bammāqôm hazzeh). This addresses both judicial murder and violent oppression. The third: 'neither walk after other gods to your hurt' (wĕʾaḥărê ʾĕlōhîm ʾăḥērîm lōʾ-ṯēlĕḵû lĕraʿ lāḵem)—idolatry brings self-destruction. These requirements encompass both vertical (worship God alone) and horizontal (treat people justly) covenant obligations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Protection of the vulnerable was central to Torah (Exodus 22:21-27, Leviticus 19:33-34, Deuteronomy 24:17-22, 27:19). Yet Judah systematically violated these commands. Isaiah 1:17, 23 indicts leaders: 'Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow...Thy princes are rebellious...they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.' The shedding of innocent blood included child sacrifice to Molech (Jeremiah 19:4-5, 2 Kings 21:16) and political murders (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Idolatry remained pervasive despite Josiah's reforms. These violations demonstrated comprehensive covenant unfaithfulness that no amount of temple ritual could offset. Jesus later demonstrated priority for the vulnerable (Matthew 25:31-46), and James defines pure religion as caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27). Authentic faith always produces justice and mercy toward the powerless.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your church community actively protect and serve society's most vulnerable members—immigrants, orphans, widows, the poor?
  2. In what ways might you be 'walking after other gods'—trusting wealth, success, comfort, or security instead of God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
גֵּ֣ר1 of 18

“not the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

יָת֤וֹם2 of 18

“the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וְאַלְמָנָה֙3 of 18

“and the widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

לֹ֣א4 of 18
H3808

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

תַֽעֲשֹׁ֔קוּ5 of 18

“If ye oppress”

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

וְדָ֣ם6 of 18

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָקִ֔י7 of 18

“not innocent”

H5355

innocent

אַֽל8 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁפְּכ֖וּ9 of 18

“and shed”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

בַּמָּק֣וֹם10 of 18

“in this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֑ה11 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאַחֲרֵ֨י12 of 18

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֧ים13 of 18

“gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִ֛ים14 of 18

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

לֹ֥א15 of 18
H3808

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

תֵלְכ֖וּ16 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְרַ֥ע17 of 18

“to your hurt”

H7451

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

לָכֶֽם׃18 of 18
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 7:6 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 7:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 8:19Jeremiah 13:10Exodus 22:21-24Zechariah 7:9-12Deuteronomy 11:28Deuteronomy 6:14-15

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