Jeremiah 7:24 Meaning and Explanation
“But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people rejected God's command, followed their own desires, and moved away from him rather than toward him.
The Context of Jeremiah 7:24
The people rejected obedience and pursued their own desires instead.
What Does Jeremiah 7:24 Mean?
The devastating parallel: God said 'Obey my voice,' but they 'hearkened not, nor inclined their ear.' They did not listen; they would not bend their will toward God's instruction. Instead, they 'walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart'—followed their own schemes, their own desires, their own crooked thinking.
'Went backward, and not forward' is a directional judgment. Forward is toward God, toward obedience, toward the covenant. Backward is away from God, into idolatry, into injustice, into self-will. The people have turned around and marched in the wrong direction, undoing the movement of the Exodus. Instead of walking toward God's promise, they walk away from it.
Jeremiah 7:24 in the Original Language
evil (רַע), 'harm, mischief'—an inclination toward that which brings ruin to themselves and others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 7:24
What does Jeremiah 7:24 mean?
The people rejected God's command, followed their own desires, and moved away from him rather than toward him.
What is the context of Jeremiah 7:24?
The people rejected obedience and pursued their own desires instead.