Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

JEREMIAH 9:26KJV
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Jeremiah 9:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 9:26 mean?

Jeremiah 9:26 lists several nations—including Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and people living in remote areas—and says they are all "uncircumcised," but adds that the people of Israel are "uncircumcised in the heart." The verse means that outward religious signs are not enough; what matters is the inner attitude and loyalty to God.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations. The setting is a time of widespread unfaithfulness, and Jeremiah is warning that both foreign nations and Israel itself are falling short—not just by outward actions, but by inner rebellion. The verse points out that even those who have the outward sign of belonging to God (circumcision) can still be spiritually stubborn or disloyal on the inside.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 9:26

  • "Uncircumcised" (עָרֵל, ʿarel): This word means physically uncircumcised, but here it is also used metaphorically for spiritual insensitivity or stubbornness. The phrase "uncircumcised in the heart" (עֲרֵלֵי לֵב, ʿarelei lev) highlights that the real issue is not physical, but spiritual.
  • "Nations" (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word refers to the non-Israelite peoples, but in this verse, Israel is grouped with them in terms of spiritual failure, showing that outward status does not guarantee true faithfulness.
  • "Utmost corners" (קְצוּצֵי פֵאָה, qetsutsei pe’ah): This phrase describes people living in the farthest or most remote areas, emphasizing that the warning includes everyone, not just the main nations listed.

Why Jeremiah 9:26 matters

  • Jeremiah 9:26 clears up the idea that belonging to God is about outward rituals alone; it stresses that inner faithfulness is what truly matters.
  • The verse shows that Israel is not automatically favored over other nations just because of their religious signs; God looks at the heart.
  • In the wider context, this verse is part of Jeremiah’s warning that judgment is coming not only to foreign nations but also to Judah, because both have failed in their relationship with God at a deeper level.

Where else these words appear

“utmost” Hebrew H7112 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.
  • 2 Samuel 4:12 And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
  • Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

“corners” Hebrew H6285 · used in 59 verses

  • Exodus 25:26 And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Ezekiel 48:1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan.

“Edom” Hebrew H123 · used in 93 verses

  • Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
  • 1 Kings 11:14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
  • Psalms 108:10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?