Jeremiah 23:10 Meaning and Explanation
“For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moral corruption—adultery, false oaths, and wickedness—has infected the whole society.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:10
The spiritual sickness is widespread, touching every level of the people's life.
What Does Jeremiah 23:10 Mean?
Adultery here is both literal and metaphorical—literal unfaithfulness in marriage and metaphorical unfaithfulness to God. 'Swearing' refers to false oaths that break covenants and trust. These acts are not private failures but they affect the land itself: 'the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up.'
The image of desiccation—the land mourning, pleasant places withering—shows how moral and spiritual corruption ripples outward. When people lose truth and integrity, creation itself suffers. This is not punishment imposed externally but the natural consequence of a society built on lies and broken faith.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:10
What does Jeremiah 23:10 mean?
Moral corruption—adultery, false oaths, and wickedness—has infected the whole society.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:10?
The spiritual sickness is widespread, touching every level of the people's life.