Jeremiah 5:23 Meaning and Explanation
“But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Despite the evidence of God's power and authority, the people have a hardened, rebellious heart that has turned away.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:23
The people possess a hardened, rebellious heart that has deliberately turned away from God despite all evidence of His authority.
What Does Jeremiah 5:23 Mean?
The word 'but' marks the stark contrast: unlike creation, which obeys God, this people has chosen rebellion. They possess a 'revolting and rebellious heart'—the doubling of terms emphasizes the depths and persistence of their rejection. 'Revolting' suggests turning away from what is established; 'rebellious' implies active resistance and refusal to submit. The people have not merely stumbled; they have deliberately chosen opposition to God.
The phrase 'they are revolted and gone' uses past tense to indicate that the decision is complete and irreversible in their intention. They have turned and departed. This shows a hardness of heart that no amount of evidence—not creation's obedience, not past blessing, not prophetic warnings—can move. They have crossed a line from disobedience into active, committed rebellion. Their rejection of God is total.
Jeremiah 5:23 in the Original Language
sarur (סָרוּר), 'revolting' — turning away, apostasy; a word suggesting deliberate departure from established covenant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:23
What does Jeremiah 5:23 mean?
Despite the evidence of God's power and authority, the people have a hardened, rebellious heart that has turned away.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:23?
The people possess a hardened, rebellious heart that has deliberately turned away from God despite all evidence of His authority.