Jeremiah 11:15
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.
Original Language Analysis
מֶ֣ה
H4100
מֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
בְּבֵיתִ֗י
to do in mine house
H1004
בְּבֵיתִ֗י
to do in mine house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 14
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עֲשׂוֹתָ֤הּ
seeing she hath wrought
H6213
עֲשׂוֹתָ֤הּ
seeing she hath wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַֽמְזִמָּ֙תָה֙
lewdness
H4209
הַֽמְזִמָּ֙תָה֙
lewdness
Strong's:
H4209
Word #:
5 of 14
a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
הָֽרַבִּ֔ים
with many
H7227
הָֽרַבִּ֔ים
with many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וּבְשַׂר
flesh
H1320
וּבְשַׂר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
7 of 14
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
and the holy
H6944
קֹ֖דֶשׁ
and the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
8 of 14
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
יַעַבְר֣וּ
is passed
H5674
יַעַבְר֣וּ
is passed
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
9 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ
H5921
מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָעָתֵ֖כִי
from thee when thou doest evil
H7451
רָעָתֵ֖כִי
from thee when thou doest evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
12 of 14
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
אָ֥ז
H227
Historical Context
Jeremiah 7 elaborates this temple critique—trusting in 'lying words' about the temple's inviolability while violating covenant commands. Israel presumed that ritual observance and temple presence guaranteed divine favor regardless of ethical behavior. The prophets consistently rejected such mechanical religion (Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8).
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious activity coexist with spiritual adultery, and what makes this combination so offensive?
- What does the question 'what has my beloved to do in my house?' reveal about God's wounded love?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse questions Israel's temple confidence: 'What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many?' The Hebrew yedidah (יְדִידָה, beloved) is an affectionate term for Israel, making the accusation more poignant. 'My house' (beithi) is the temple. 'Lewdness' (mezimmah) means schemes, plots, wicked purposes—here applied to syncretistic worship. Israel comes to God's house while practicing idolatry—spiritual adultery attending the husband's home. 'And the holy flesh is passed from thee' indicates sacrificial meat (basar haqqodesh) no longer benefits them. 'When thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.' They celebrate even while sinning—combining religious observance with moral rebellion.