Jeremiah 16:10
And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 29
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 29
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַגִּיד֙
And it shall come to pass when thou shalt shew
H5046
תַגִּיד֙
And it shall come to pass when thou shalt shew
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
3 of 29
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
לָעָ֣ם
this people
H5971
לָעָ֣ם
this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים
all these words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 29
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶה֩
H4100
מֶה֩
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
13 of 29
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
דִבֶּ֨ר
pronounced
H1696
דִבֶּ֨ר
pronounced
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
14 of 29
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לַֽיהוָ֥ה
against the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֥ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙
H5921
עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
all this great
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָה֙
all this great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
20 of 29
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּמֶ֤ה
H4100
וּמֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
22 of 29
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
עֲוֹנֵ֙נוּ֙
against us or what is our iniquity
H5771
עֲוֹנֵ֙נוּ֙
against us or what is our iniquity
Strong's:
H5771
Word #:
23 of 29
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
וּמֶ֣ה
H4100
וּמֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
חַטָּאתֵ֔נוּ
or what is our sin
H2403
חַטָּאתֵ֔נוּ
or what is our sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
25 of 29
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חָטָ֖אנוּ
that we have committed
H2398
חָטָ֖אנוּ
that we have committed
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
Cross References
Jeremiah 5:19And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not your's.Jeremiah 13:22And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
Historical Context
Despite decades of prophetic indictment specifying their sins (idolatry, injustice, covenant breaking), Judah maintained self-righteous blindness. This demonstrates how persistent sin hardens hearts and darkens minds.
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent sin blind people to their own guilt?
- What does spiritual blindness to obvious sin reveal about the human condition apart from grace?
- How should ministers respond when people genuinely cannot see sins that are obvious to others?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah anticipates the people's response: 'And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?' Three questions reveal spiritual blindness:
They genuinely cannot see what they've done wrong despite obvious violations. This illustrates total depravity's noetic effects—sin darkens understanding so that sinners cannot accurately assess their spiritual condition.