Jeremiah 16:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will repay the people's iniquity doubly because they have polluted the land with idols and wickedness.
The Context of Jeremiah 16:18
Doubled judgment because of defiling God's sacred land.
What Does Jeremiah 16:18 Mean?
The judgment will be doubled—disproportionate recompense for sin. Why doubled? Because the people have defiled God's own land and filled His inheritance with abominable things. Idolatry and wickedness directly violate the sacred relationship between God and His land. The land itself has become polluted by their detestable practices.
The image of the land filled with 'carcases of their detestable and abominable things' suggests both idolatrous images and the spiritual death that idolatry brings. By treating God's promised land as a space for their own gods and wickedness, they have profaned something God set apart. This particular violation warrants intensified judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 16:18
What does Jeremiah 16:18 mean?
God will repay the people's iniquity doubly because they have polluted the land with idols and wickedness.
What is the context of Jeremiah 16:18?
Doubled judgment because of defiling God's sacred land.