Bible Strands
Jeremiah 6:8
Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Jerusalem directly, delivering a warning of impending judgment. This declaration immediately follows a description of the city’s relentless outpouring of violence, destruction, and spiritual sickness.
The words — The imperative הִוָּסְרִי (hi.vasri) commands the city to “let yourself be instructed,” while the warning particle פֶּן (pen) introduces the consequence: “or” or “lest.” The verb אֲשִׂימֶךָ (aśimēkā) literally reads “I will make you,” establishing the certainty of the coming desolation.
The thread — The pattern of divine withdrawal appears in Ezekiel 23:18 and Hosea 9:12, where God turns away in response to persistent rebellion. Jeremiah 17:23 reinforces this sequence by noting that stiffened necks prevent people from receiving the very instruction that could avert judgment.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate attention to a warning before irreversible abandonment occurs. It requires readers to acknowledge that refusing instruction results in God ceasing to dwell among a people and leaving them desolate.
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
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 23:18 When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.
- Hosea 9:12 Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!
- Jeremiah 17:23 Yet they would not listen or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and would not listen or receive My discipline.
- Psalms 50:17 For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
- Jeremiah 32:33 They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.
- Jeremiah 35:13 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: ‘Will you not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD.
- Zephaniah 3:7 I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me and accept correction.’ Then her dwelling place would not be cut off despite all for which I punished her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.
- Leviticus 26:34 Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths all the days it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths.
- Deuteronomy 32:29 If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- Psalms 2:10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.