Jeremiah 13:27
I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
Original Language Analysis
וּמִצְהֲלוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
and thy neighings
H4684
וּמִצְהֲלוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙
and thy neighings
Strong's:
H4684
Word #:
2 of 17
a whinnying (through impatience for battle or lust)
זְנוּתֵ֔ךְ
of thy whoredom
H2184
זְנוּתֵ֔ךְ
of thy whoredom
Strong's:
H2184
Word #:
4 of 17
adultery, i.e., (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רָאִ֖יתִי
I have seen
H7200
רָאִ֖יתִי
I have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
8 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
שִׁקּוּצָ֑יִךְ
and thine abominations
H8251
שִׁקּוּצָ֑יִךְ
and thine abominations
Strong's:
H8251
Word #:
9 of 17
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
unto thee O Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
unto thee O Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
12 of 17
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִטְהֲרִ֔י
wilt thou not be made clean
H2891
תִטְהֲרִ֔י
wilt thou not be made clean
Strong's:
H2891
Word #:
14 of 17
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
אַחֲרֵ֥י
H310
אַחֲרֵ֥י
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Isaiah 65:7Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.Ezekiel 6:13Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.Ezekiel 24:13In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.Hosea 8:5Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?Proverbs 1:22How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?Ezekiel 36:37Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.Hosea 4:2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
Historical Context
The catalog of sins summarizes chapter 13's accusations and the broader Jeremiah indictment. God 'sees' what they try to hide; high places and field shrines are fully known. The final question—'when shall it once be?'—reveals divine desire for their cleansing, not simply their destruction. Even in judgment pronouncement, longing for restoration appears.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's question 'when will you be made clean?' reveal about His heart in judgment?
- How does the comprehensive list of witnessed sins remove any possibility of denial or excuse?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse concludes with accusation: 'I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields.' 'Adulteries' (ni'uphayikh) represents spiritual unfaithfulness/idolatry. 'Neighings' (mitzhaloth) compares Israel to horses in heat, lustfully pursuing idols (compare 5:8). 'Lewdness' (zimmah) and 'whoredom' (zenuth) continue the sexual/spiritual metaphor. 'Abominations on hills and fields' (to'avotayikh al-gevao'th basadeh) identifies the location of idolatrous worship—high places and open-air shrines throughout the land. God has witnessed everything. 'Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?' The Hebrew ad-matay (עַד־מָתַי, until when) expresses divine longing for purification—how long before Jerusalem will be cleansed?