And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

JEREMIAH 1:16KJV
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Jeremiah 1:16 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 1:16 mean?

Jeremiah 1:16 describes God announcing that He will pronounce judgment on the people of Judah because they have abandoned Him, worshipped other gods, and honored idols they made themselves. The verse explains the specific reasons for God’s coming judgment: turning away from Him and engaging in idol worship.

In this verse, God is speaking to Jeremiah at the beginning of Jeremiah’s prophetic calling. God is explaining why He is sending Jeremiah to speak hard truths to the people. The people of Judah have not only left their relationship with God but have also actively participated in the worship of other gods and the works of their own hands, meaning idols. This sets the stage for the rest of Jeremiah’s message, which centers on calling the people back to faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 1:16

  • "utter" (דָּבַר, dabar): This word means "to speak" or "to declare." Here, it emphasizes that God Himself is directly announcing His judgments, not leaving it to interpretation or rumor.
  • "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word refers to legal decisions or verdicts. It highlights that God’s response is not arbitrary anger but a considered and just response to wrongdoing.
  • "forsaken" (עָזַב, azav): This word means "to leave" or "abandon." It underscores the seriousness of the people’s choice to walk away from their relationship with God.
  • "incense" (קָטַר, qatar): Burning incense was a key part of worship rituals. Here, it points to the people’s active participation in religious practices directed at other gods, not just passive neglect.

Why Jeremiah 1:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s judgment is not random or cruel; it is a response to specific actions—abandoning God and worshipping idols.
  • Jeremiah 1:16 connects Jeremiah’s prophetic mission to the wider problem of idolatry in Judah, showing that his message is rooted in real issues among the people.
  • The verse helps readers see that the heart of the problem is not just outward actions but a broken relationship with God, shown by the choice to worship what their own hands have made.

Where else these words appear

“touching” Hebrew H5921 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
  • 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

“incense” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.