We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

JEREMIAH 3:25KJV
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Jeremiah 3:25 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 3:25 mean?

Jeremiah 3:25 describes the people of Israel admitting their shame and confusion because they have sinned against the LORD their God, following in the disobedient ways of their ancestors from their youth up to the present day. The verse shows a moment of honest confession, recognizing both personal and generational guilt for not listening to God's voice.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking on behalf of the people, expressing their deep sense of disgrace and bewilderment after turning away from God for so long. The setting is a call to repentance, where Israel is urged to acknowledge the seriousness of their unfaithfulness, not just as individuals but as a community shaped by a long history of ignoring God's commands.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 3:25

  • "shame" (בֹּשֶׁת, boshet): This word points to a deep sense of disgrace or humiliation, not just embarrassment. It emphasizes how the people feel exposed and dishonored because of their actions.
  • "confusion" (קְלִמָּה, kelimmah): Often understood as public disgrace or humiliation, this word adds the idea of being overwhelmed or covered by dishonor, as if it is something that surrounds and weighs down the people.
  • "sinned" (חָטָא, chata’): This word means to miss the mark or go astray, highlighting that the people have repeatedly failed to live up to God's standards, not just by mistake but by ongoing choice.
  • "obeyed" (שָׁמַע, shama’): Literally "to hear" or "listen," this word in context means more than just hearing God's voice—it means responding and acting on what God says, which the people admit they have not done.

Why Jeremiah 3:25 matters

  • Jeremiah 3:25 clarifies that the people's shame is not just a passing feeling but a result of a long pattern of disobedience, involving both the current generation and their ancestors.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of ignoring God's voice, showing that true confession involves recognizing both personal and collective responsibility.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the depth of Israel's need for repentance and the honest self-awareness required to return to God.

Where else these words appear

“shame” Hebrew H1322 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • Psalms 109:29 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
  • Jeremiah 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

“confusion” Hebrew H3639 · used in 29 verses

  • Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
  • Ezekiel 32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

“youth” Hebrew H5271 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Psalms 127:4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
  • Jeremiah 48:11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.

“covereth” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.