Jeremiah 16:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah explains that judgment comes because ancestors forsook God for idols and abandoned His law.
The Context of Jeremiah 16:11
Ancestral idolatry and covenant-breaking caused judgment.
What Does Jeremiah 16:11 Mean?
The answer to 'Why?' reaches back to the fathers—prior generations who abandoned God and turned to other gods. The repetition of 'forsaken' and the progression from walking after idols to serving and worshipping them shows a complete turning away. Breaking covenant with God is the fundamental sin that sets the people on a path of judgment.
The fathers 'have not kept my law.' Keeping God's law was central to the covenant relationship. Abandonment of this law, combined with worship of other gods, severed the people from their God. This generational sin has accumulated consequences that now must be addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 16:11
What does Jeremiah 16:11 mean?
Jeremiah explains that judgment comes because ancestors forsook God for idols and abandoned His law.
What is the context of Jeremiah 16:11?
Ancestral idolatry and covenant-breaking caused judgment.