Jeremiah 6:29 Meaning and Explanation
“The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Refining fire cannot purify these people; the refiner's work fails because the corruption is too deep.
The Context of Jeremiah 6:29
Even past refining and punishment could not change Judah.
What Does Jeremiah 6:29 Mean?
The bellows, lead, and founder's fire describe the ore-refining process. High heat and bellows drive out impurities, separating gold from dross. But here, even intense refining fails. The wicked (impurities) will not separate from the people—they are inseparable from the whole.
This is a metaphor for God's earlier judgments and warnings that had no effect. The discipline meant to purify instead comes to nothing because the people cannot be refined. What remains is only dross, unsuitable for God's use.
Jeremiah 6:29 in the Original Language
סַּגְּ (sag), 'alloy/dross'—unusable refuse; the corruption is irredeemable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 6:29
What does Jeremiah 6:29 mean?
Refining fire cannot purify these people; the refiner's work fails because the corruption is too deep.
What is the context of Jeremiah 6:29?
Even past refining and punishment could not change Judah.