A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.

JEREMIAH 3:21KJV
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Jeremiah 3:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:21 mean?

Jeremiah 3:21 describes a voice heard on the hills, where the people of Israel are weeping and pleading because they have gone astray and forgotten the LORD their God. The verse shows Israel’s sorrow and regret after turning away from God and realizing the consequences of their actions.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, describing a scene where Israel’s children cry out from the high places—locations often associated with idol worship. The verse highlights both their deep grief and their prayers for help, rooted in their recognition that they have “perverted their way” and neglected their relationship with God. This moment sets the stage for God’s call to repentance in the surrounding passage.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:21

  • “Voice” (קוֹל, qol): This word can mean a cry, shout, or sound, emphasizing the intensity and public nature of Israel’s sorrow.
  • “Weeping” (בְּכִי, bekhi): This term points to deep, heartfelt mourning, not just a casual sadness, showing the seriousness of their regret.
  • “Supplications” (תַּחֲנוּנֵי, tachanunei): This word refers to earnest pleas or prayers for mercy, highlighting that the people are not just sad but are actively seeking forgiveness and help.
  • “Perverted” (עָוַת, avath): This word means to twist or distort, stressing that Israel’s actions were not just mistakes but a deliberate turning away from the right path.

Why Jeremiah 3:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 3:21 clears up that Israel’s sorrow is not just emotional but is tied directly to their spiritual choices and their forgetting of God, not simply to bad circumstances.
  • The verse emphasizes the link between idol worship (“high places”) and the people’s broken relationship with God, showing why their weeping is happening in those locations.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the need for repentance and return, highlighting the seriousness of turning away from God and the hope that comes when people recognize their need for Him.