Jeremiah 5:3 Meaning and Explanation
“O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God observes their unrepentance; despite discipline and loss, the people stubbornly resist returning to Him.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:3
Despite God's discipline and evident signs of His correction, the people remain unrepentant and hardened.
What Does Jeremiah 5:3 Mean?
Jeremiah appeals to God's perfect knowledge and justice: His eyes are upon the truth, missing nothing. Yet the people have hardened themselves against His discipline. God has struck them and consumed their resources, yet they have not grieved—they feel no sorrow that might lead to repentance. Instead of softening, their hearts have become like rock, unmoved and unresponsive.
This portrait of spiritual rebellion shows deliberate resistance rather than mere weakness. The people have refused correction; this is active rejection, not passive failure. Their hardened faces symbolize shamelessness and stubborn pride. The refusal to return reflects a break in the relationship God seeks to restore through both warning and judgment.
Jeremiah 5:3 in the Original Language
qušu (קָשׁוּ), 'harder' — from the root meaning hard, stiff, severe; their hearts have become inflexible stone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:3
What does Jeremiah 5:3 mean?
God observes their unrepentance; despite discipline and loss, the people stubbornly resist returning to Him.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:3?
Despite God's discipline and evident signs of His correction, the people remain unrepentant and hardened.