Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

JEREMIAH 6:15KJV
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Jeremiah 6:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 6:15 mean?

Jeremiah 6:15 says that the people were not ashamed at all after doing things that were deeply wrong in God’s eyes; they had lost the ability to feel guilt or embarrassment. Because of this, God warns that they will fall with everyone else who faces judgment when He comes to deal with their actions.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah, who have turned away from God and committed serious wrongs called “abominations.” The verse highlights that their hearts have become so hardened that they cannot even blush or feel shame. This lack of remorse is given as the reason why God’s judgment is coming, and it connects to the larger warning Jeremiah is giving to the nation about the consequences of ignoring God’s ways.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 6:15

  • “Abomination” (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah) refers to something detestable or morally disgusting, especially in a religious sense. This word shows that the actions being described are not just minor mistakes, but things that are deeply offensive to God.
  • “Ashamed” (כָּלַם, kalam) and “blush” (חָפֵר, chaper) both deal with the idea of feeling disgrace or embarrassment. The verse uses both to stress that the people have lost even the basic human response of feeling bad about doing wrong.
  • “Fall” (נָפַל, naphal) is used twice to emphasize the certainty and seriousness of the coming judgment. It means to be brought down or to collapse, showing that the consequences will be unavoidable.

Why Jeremiah 6:15 matters

  • Jeremiah 6:15 clears up the idea that simply doing wrong is not the only problem—becoming numb to shame is a deeper issue that leads to judgment.
  • The verse highlights how repeated wrongdoing can harden people’s hearts, making them unable to even recognize their guilt.
  • This verse connects to the larger message in Jeremiah, where the prophet warns that ignoring God’s warnings and losing sensitivity to right and wrong will eventually lead to disaster for the whole community.

Where else these words appear

“nay” Hebrew H1571 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
  • Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

“blush” Hebrew H3637 · used in 38 verses

  • Numbers 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
  • Job 19:3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
  • Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

“down” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“ashamed” Hebrew H3001 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 8:7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
  • Isaiah 15:6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
  • Jeremiah 51:36 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.