Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

JEREMIAH 2:34KJV
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Jeremiah 2:34 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 2:34 mean?

Jeremiah 2:34 accuses the people of Jerusalem of having the blood of innocent poor people on their clothing, saying that this guilt is obvious and not hidden. The verse stresses that their wrongdoing is out in the open and undeniable, not something discovered by careful investigation.

Jeremiah, speaking for God, is addressing the people of Judah, confronting them with their blatant injustice and violence against the vulnerable. The verse uses the image of blood on their skirts to show that their mistreatment of the poor and innocent is clear and cannot be excused or covered up. This is part of a larger passage where God, through Jeremiah, rebukes the people for turning away from Him and acting corruptly.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 2:34

  • "skirts" (כְּנָפַיִךְ, k'nafayikh): This word literally means the edges or corners of a garment, often used as a symbol for a person's actions or reputation. Here, it paints a vivid picture of guilt being carried openly.
  • "blood" (דָּם, dam): The word refers to literal blood, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes—actual violence leading to death.
  • "souls" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means "life" or "person," highlighting that real lives have been lost, not just metaphorical harm.
  • "poor" (אֶבְיוֹן, evyon): This word points to those who are destitute or powerless, underlining that the victims were especially vulnerable.
  • "innocents" (נָקִי, naqi): This term stresses that those harmed had done nothing to deserve such treatment, making the accusation even more severe.

Why Jeremiah 2:34 matters

  • Jeremiah 2:34 clears up any idea that the people’s guilt is hidden or minor; it is public and undeniable, not something that needs to be uncovered.
  • The verse highlights God’s concern for justice, especially for the poor and innocent, showing that mistreatment of the vulnerable is a serious offense.
  • This accusation fits into the larger context of Jeremiah 2, where God is laying out the reasons for His judgment against Judah, emphasizing both their idolatry and their social sins.

Where else these words appear

“search” Hebrew H4290 · used in 2 verses

  • Exodus 22:2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

“innocents” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Psalms 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

“poor” Hebrew H34 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 23:6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
  • Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
  • Proverbs 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

“skirts” Hebrew H3671 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Job 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
  • Ezekiel 1:8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings.