Bible Strands
Jeremiah 11:20
O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jeremiah addresses the Lord regarding the conspiracy of the men of Anathoth who seek his life and forbid him from prophesying in Yahweh's name. He speaks this prayer at a moment of imminent danger after recognizing their plot to eliminate him.
The words — The Hebrew term בֹּחֵ֥ן (bo.Chen) means "who tests," paired with כְּלָי֖וֹת (ke.la.Yot), literally "kidneys," which functions as a metonym for the innermost faculties. This phrasing establishes Yahweh as the one who scrutinizes human motives before rendering judgment.
The thread — The motif of divine examination of the heart and kidneys appears in Jeremiah 20:12 and Jeremiah 17:10, where Yahweh searches the mind to reward according to deeds. A parallel declaration of God's focus on internal character rather than external appearance occurs in 1 Samuel 16:7.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader acknowledge that human plots cannot conceal their intentions from a God who judges righteously. It requires the reader to surrender personal grievances to divine justice rather than pursuing self-defense.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 20:12 O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
- Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- Psalms 7:9 Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
- Revelation 2:23 Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- Genesis 18:25 Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
- Jeremiah 15:15 You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor.
- Jeremiah 17:18 Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster and shatter them with double destruction.
- 1 Chronicles 29:17 I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
- Psalms 10:14 But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.