Jeremiah 16:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The current generation has become even more unfaithful, following their evil desires and refusing to listen.
The Context of Jeremiah 16:12
The present generation has worsened ancestral sin.
What Does Jeremiah 16:12 Mean?
If the fathers' sin was grave, the current generation's is worse. Rather than learning from ancestral failure, they compound it by walking 'after the imagination of his evil heart'—choosing their own desires over God's direction. This is willful, individual, and systematic refusal to obey. The phrase emphasizes personal rebellion rather than mere institutional drift.
The phrase 'that they may not hearken unto me' may mean either 'so that they do not hear' or 'and they do not hear'—indicating either willful deafness or the result of hardened hearts. Either way, the generation has made themselves unable or unwilling to receive God's word through the prophets He sends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 16:12
What does Jeremiah 16:12 mean?
The current generation has become even more unfaithful, following their evil desires and refusing to listen.
What is the context of Jeremiah 16:12?
The present generation has worsened ancestral sin.