Jeremiah 16:18
And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
Original Language Analysis
וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֣י
I will recompense
H7999
וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֣י
I will recompense
Strong's:
H7999
Word #:
1 of 15
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
רִֽאשׁוֹנָ֗ה
And first
H7223
רִֽאשׁוֹנָ֗ה
And first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
2 of 15
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
מִשְׁנֵ֤ה
double
H4932
מִשְׁנֵ֤ה
double
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
וְחַטָּאתָ֔ם
and their sin
H2403
וְחַטָּאתָ֔ם
and their sin
Strong's:
H2403
Word #:
5 of 15
an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חַלְּלָ֣ם
because they have defiled
H2490
חַלְּלָ֣ם
because they have defiled
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנִבְלַ֤ת
with the carcases
H5038
בְּנִבְלַ֤ת
with the carcases
Strong's:
H5038
Word #:
10 of 15
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶם֙
of their detestable
H8251
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶם֙
of their detestable
Strong's:
H8251
Word #:
11 of 15
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
וְתוֹעֲב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם
and abominable things
H8441
וְתוֹעֲב֣וֹתֵיהֶ֔ם
and abominable things
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
מָלְא֖וּ
they have filled
H4390
מָלְא֖וּ
they have filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
13 of 15
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 40:2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.Revelation 18:6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.Jeremiah 17:18Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.Ezekiel 11:21But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.Isaiah 61:7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.Jeremiah 2:7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.Jeremiah 3:9And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.Ezekiel 11:18And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
Historical Context
Though Judah attempted to hide idolatrous practices or claimed innocence, God's perfect knowledge of all their ways meant judgment would be based on complete evidence with no possibility of concealment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's omniscience establish perfect accountability for all actions?
- What comfort and what terror does divine omniscience provide?
- How should awareness that God sees 'all our ways' affect daily conduct?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The reason for thorough judgment: 'For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.' God's omniscience means comprehensive knowledge of all sins. The threefold emphasis (eyes upon ways, not hid from face, iniquity not hid from eyes) stresses divine awareness of all wrongdoing. This establishes accountability—no sin escapes divine notice. The phrase 'all their ways' indicates God observes total conduct, not just religious activities. This verse grounds judgment in God's perfect knowledge: He judges based on complete evidence, missing nothing. The Reformed doctrine of divine omniscience means accountability is absolute and inescapable.