But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

JEREMIAH 11:20KJV
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Jeremiah 11:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 11:20 mean?

Jeremiah 11:20 describes the prophet Jeremiah calling on the LORD, whom he recognizes as the commander of heavenly armies and a just judge, to examine people’s innermost thoughts and motives and to bring justice against those who have wronged him. Jeremiah trusts God with his situation, openly sharing his troubles and asking to see God’s fair response to those who oppose him.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking directly to God during a time when he faces threats and opposition from his own people for delivering God’s message. Jeremiah appeals to God’s ability to judge righteously and to test both the “reins” (deepest motives) and the “heart” (inner self) of people. Jeremiah’s request to see God’s vengeance is not personal revenge but a plea for God to act justly, since Jeremiah has honestly laid out his case before God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 11:20

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is God’s personal name, often used to highlight God’s covenant relationship and faithfulness to his people. Jeremiah appeals to God as the one who knows and cares deeply for Israel.
  • hosts (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This word means “armies” or “hosts” and emphasizes God’s supreme authority and power over all spiritual and earthly forces.
  • triest (בָּחַן, bachan): This verb means “to examine” or “to test,” especially in the sense of searching out what is hidden. Jeremiah trusts that God sees beyond outward actions to the true intentions of people.
  • reins (כִּלְיָה, kilyah): Literally “kidneys,” this word often refers to the seat of emotion and deepest motives in Hebrew thought, paired with “heart” (לֵב, lev) to express the idea that God examines every part of a person’s inner life.

Why Jeremiah 11:20 matters

  • Jeremiah 11:20 clarifies that Jeremiah is not seeking personal revenge but is appealing to God’s perfect justice, trusting God to handle the situation fairly.
  • The verse highlights the biblical idea that God alone can truly know and judge people’s innermost motives, not just their outward actions.
  • In the wider context, Jeremiah 11:20 shows the prophet’s vulnerability and honesty with God, modeling how to bring difficult situations and feelings before God rather than taking matters into one’s own hands.

Where else these words appear

“vengeance” Hebrew H5360 · used in 22 verses

  • Numbers 31:2 Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.
  • Psalms 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
  • Jeremiah 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

“reins” Hebrew H3629 · used in 26 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 8:25 And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:
  • Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

“triest” Hebrew H974 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 42:15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
  • Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
  • Jeremiah 6:27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.

“cause” Hebrew H7379 · used in 61 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Job 31:13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
  • Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.