Jeremiah 7:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God catalogs the rampant sins of Judah: theft, homicide, sexual violation, perjury, and idolatry.
The Context of Jeremiah 7:9
A catalog of the nation's multiform sins.
What Does Jeremiah 7:9 Mean?
This is a rapid-fire list of capital sins, echoing the Decalogue in structure. Theft, murder, adultery, and false witness are all violations of the covenant core. The addition of burning incense to Baal—a Canaanite deity—shows how thoroughly idolatry has penetrated the society. 'Whom ye know not' captures the absurdity: they follow gods they do not even know, swapping the known God of their fathers for religious shadows.
The series shows a comprehensive moral collapse. It is not one sin but systemic failure. The people have abandoned restraint in every domain—economic (theft), personal (murder), sexual (adultery), legal (false witness), and religious (idolatry). This is the state God sees when he looks at the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 7:9
What does Jeremiah 7:9 mean?
God catalogs the rampant sins of Judah: theft, homicide, sexual violation, perjury, and idolatry.
What is the context of Jeremiah 7:9?
A catalog of the nation's multiform sins.