Bible Strands
Jeremiah 5:11
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly unfaithful to Me,” declares the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD declares this judgment against the house of Israel and the house of Judah during a prophetic pronouncement of impending destruction. The speech immediately follows a command to ravage their vineyards but halt before total ruin.
The words — The Hebrew term בָּגְדוּ (ba.gadu) translates literally to "they have dealt treacherously" or "they have been utterly unfaithful." This verb anchors the text's direct accusation of covenant violation against both northern and southern kingdoms.
The thread — This theme of national betrayal recurs in Jeremiah 3:20, where Israel's unfaithfulness is compared to a wife's betrayal of her husband. It also aligns with the prophetic critique of deceit and deafness found in Isaiah 48:8.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment of concrete covenant failure rather than reliance on the false assurances of safety described in the surrounding verses. It requires readers to confront the direct link between collective treachery and the stated judgment.
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
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 3:20 But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD.
- Isaiah 48:8 You have never heard; you have never understood; for a long time your ears have not been open. For I knew how deceitful you are; you have been called a rebel from birth.
- Jeremiah 3:6 Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
- Hosea 5:7 They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land.
- Hosea 6:7 But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.