Bible Strands
Jeremiah 7:17
Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Jeremiah during a prophetic declaration of judgment, immediately after commanding the prophet to cease intercession for the nation.
The words — רֹאֶ֔ה (ro.'Eh) = seeing; עֹשִׂ֖ים ('o.Sim) = doing. These verbs frame the divine inquiry around active, observable behavior rather than hidden sin.
The thread — This motif of divine inspection appears in Ezekiel 8:6, where God questions the prophet about Israel's abominations, and in Ezekiel 14:23, where observed conduct serves as proof of righteous judgment. Jeremiah 6:27 similarly establishes the prophet's role in examining and knowing the people's ways.
Why it lands — The text demands direct observation of public idolatry in Judah's cities and streets before pronouncing consequence. It asks the reader to recognize that divine judgment responds to visible, unrepentant rebellion, not concealed transgression.
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
Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 8:6 “Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing—to drive Me far from My sanctuary? Yet you will see even greater abominations.”
- Ezekiel 14:23 They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done all these things within it,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
- Jeremiah 6:27 “I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.