Jeremiah 7:6 - if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, and don’t walk after other gods to your own hurt;
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Jeremiah 7:6" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 7:6, is part of a larger sermon delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah who were coming to the Temple in Jerusalem. It's essentially a warning and a call to genuine repentance. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow...": This speaks directly to social justice and the treatment of vulnerable populations.
Foreigner (or sojourner): In ancient Israelite society, foreigners were often vulnerable because they lacked the protections of kinship and community ties. Oppression could take the form of unfair legal treatment, economic exploitation, or social discrimination.
Fatherless (or orphan): Children without fathers were particularly vulnerable as they lacked the support and protection of a male head of household.
Widow: Widows, similarly, were often without economic means or social safety nets in that society.
Oppression: This refers to taking advantage of these vulnerable groups, whether through violence, economic exploitation, or denying them their rights.
"...and don’t shed innocent blood in this place...": This refers to violence, injustice, and the taking of innocent life within the land, particularly in Jerusalem. This could refer to murder, unjust legal rulings that lead to executions, or even violence and abuse within families. "This place" refers to Jerusalem and the land of Judah.
"...and don’t walk after other gods to your own hurt;": This addresses idolatry, the worship of gods other than Yahweh. The phrase "to your own hurt" highlights the consequences of abandoning God and turning to idols. It's not just a sin against God; it ultimately harms the people themselves. The implication is that worshipping other gods leads to moral decay, societal breakdown, and ultimately, divine judgment.
Overall Meaning and Context:
Jeremiah is not just giving a list of rules. He's saying that true worship requires a change of heart and behavior. The people were relying on the Temple as a guarantee of God's favor, assuming that as long as they performed religious rituals, they were safe. Jeremiah is telling them that their rituals are meaningless if they are not accompanied by justice, compassion, and faithfulness to God.
In essence, the verse is a condition for God's continued presence and blessing. If the people stop oppressing the vulnerable, cease the violence and injustice, and turn away from idols, they will experience God's favor. If they continue in their sin, they will face judgment.
The verse demonstrates that true religion is not merely about outward observance, but about inward transformation that manifests in righteous and compassionate living. It emphasizes the importance of social justice, ethical behavior, and exclusive devotion to God. It’s a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, and that our relationship with God is inextricably linked to how we treat others.
Jeremiah 7:6 - if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, and don’t shed innocent blood in this place, and don’t walk after other gods to your own hurt;
What does "Jeremiah 7:6" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 7:6, is part of a larger sermon delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah who were coming to the Temple in Jerusalem. It's essentially a warning and a call to genuine repentance. Let's break down the verse and its meaning:
"if you don’t oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow...": This speaks directly to social justice and the treatment of vulnerable populations.
Foreigner (or sojourner): In ancient Israelite society, foreigners were often vulnerable because they lacked the protections of kinship and community ties. Oppression could take the form of unfair legal treatment, economic exploitation, or social discrimination.
Fatherless (or orphan): Children without fathers were particularly vulnerable as they lacked the support and protection of a male head of household.
Widow: Widows, similarly, were often without economic means or social safety nets in that society.
Oppression: This refers to taking advantage of these vulnerable groups, whether through violence, economic exploitation, or denying them their rights.
"...and don’t shed innocent blood in this place...": This refers to violence, injustice, and the taking of innocent life within the land, particularly in Jerusalem. This could refer to murder, unjust legal rulings that lead to executions, or even violence and abuse within families. "This place" refers to Jerusalem and the land of Judah.
"...and don’t walk after other gods to your own hurt;": This addresses idolatry, the worship of gods other than Yahweh. The phrase "to your own hurt" highlights the consequences of abandoning God and turning to idols. It's not just a sin against God; it ultimately harms the people themselves. The implication is that worshipping other gods leads to moral decay, societal breakdown, and ultimately, divine judgment.
Overall Meaning and Context:
Jeremiah is not just giving a list of rules. He's saying that true worship requires a change of heart and behavior. The people were relying on the Temple as a guarantee of God's favor, assuming that as long as they performed religious rituals, they were safe. Jeremiah is telling them that their rituals are meaningless if they are not accompanied by justice, compassion, and faithfulness to God.
In essence, the verse is a condition for God's continued presence and blessing. If the people stop oppressing the vulnerable, cease the violence and injustice, and turn away from idols, they will experience God's favor. If they continue in their sin, they will face judgment.
The verse demonstrates that true religion is not merely about outward observance, but about inward transformation that manifests in righteous and compassionate living. It emphasizes the importance of social justice, ethical behavior, and exclusive devotion to God. It’s a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, and that our relationship with God is inextricably linked to how we treat others.