Jeremiah 7:6 Meaning and Explanation
“If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Obedience requires protecting vulnerable people and rejecting idolatry and bloodshed.
The Context of Jeremiah 7:6
Extended list of specific sins: oppression, bloodshed, and idolatry.
What Does Jeremiah 7:6 Mean?
The list names those most exposed to harm: the stranger without tribal protection, the orphan without a father's advocacy, the widow without a husband's economic support. Oppressing them—through debt, theft, or legal manipulation—violates the core of covenant obligation. Innocent blood refers to judicial murder or violence committed with impunity.
Walking after other gods completes the picture. Idolatry and social injustice are linked; both express the same refusal to honor God. The phrase 'to your hurt' is striking—false gods harm those who follow them. Obedience brings blessing; disobedience, however appealing in the moment, wounds the people themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 7:6
What does Jeremiah 7:6 mean?
Obedience requires protecting vulnerable people and rejecting idolatry and bloodshed.
What is the context of Jeremiah 7:6?
Extended list of specific sins: oppression, bloodshed, and idolatry.