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.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The prophet Jeremiah addresses the people of Judah during a period of covenant failure, declaring God’s direct intervention in human affairs. He speaks as the divine judge who looks past outward appearances to internal reality.

The words — The Hebrew חֹקֵר (cho.Ker) literally means “searching” or “probing,” while כְּלָיוֹת (ke.la.Yot) translates to “kidneys,” the ancient Near Eastern seat of conscience and emotion.

The thread — This theme of divine scrutiny appears in 1 Samuel 16:7, where Yahweh rejects outward criteria to judge the inner person, and in Romans 8:27, which notes that God searches the heart to align with the Spirit’s intercession. Jeremiah 11:20 also records Yahweh examining the kidneys and heart before rendering righteous judgment.

Why it lands — The text states that God evaluates internal motives and external actions to dispense precise justice. It requires readers to abandon self-deception and submit to a standard of accountability that cannot be concealed.

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

אֲנִ֧י'a.NiI יְהוָ֛הYah.wehYahweh חֹקֵ֥רcho.Ker[am] searching לֵ֖בlev[the] heart בֹּחֵ֣ןbo.Chen[am] testing כְּלָי֑וֹתke.la.Yot[the] kidneys וְלָתֵ֤תve./la./Tet<and>/ to/ give לְאִישׁ֙le./'Ishto/ everyone כִּדְרָכָ֔יוke./dar.ko/vaccording to/ ways/ his כִּפְרִ֖יki/f.Riaccording to/ [the] fruit of מַעֲלָלָֽיו׃ סma.'a.la.La/vdeeds/ his

King James Version

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Cross-references

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.”
Romans 8:27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
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.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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.
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
Jeremiah 32:19 the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
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.
1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.