Jeremiah 25:6
And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
Original Language Analysis
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּלְכ֗וּ
H1980
תֵּלְכ֗וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
not after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵי֙
not after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְעָבְדָ֖ם
to serve
H5647
לְעָבְדָ֖ם
to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
6 of 16
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת
them and to worship
H7812
וּלְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת
them and to worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
7 of 16
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַכְעִ֤יסוּ
them and provoke me not to anger
H3707
תַכְעִ֤יסוּ
them and provoke me not to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
10 of 16
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
אוֹתִי֙
H854
אוֹתִי֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
with the works
H4639
בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה
with the works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
12 of 16
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְדֵיכֶ֔ם
of your hands
H3027
יְדֵיכֶ֔ם
of your hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:19And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.Jeremiah 35:15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.Jeremiah 7:6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:Deuteronomy 6:14Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;2 Kings 17:35With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
Historical Context
Archaeological discoveries reveal the extent of Judah's idolatry. Excavations have uncovered figurines of Asherah (Canaanite fertility goddess), inscriptions invoking 'Yahweh and his Asherah' (syncretism), and evidence of child sacrifice to Molech in the Valley of Hinnom. Manasseh's reign (697-642 BC) entrenched pagan worship in the temple itself (2 Kings 21:1-18). Though Josiah attempted reform, the people's hearts remained unchanged. They participated in idolatry not from ignorance but deliberate choice, preferring tangible idols to the invisible Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'works of our hands' might we be tempted to worship today—things we create or control rather than the Creator?
- How does idolatry 'provoke God to anger,' and what does this reveal about the exclusive nature of true worship?
- In what ways does God's statement 'I will do you no hurt' reveal His heart toward His people, and how should this shape our understanding of divine judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt. The phrase ʾaḥărê ʾĕlōhîm ʾăḥērîm (אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, after other gods) describes spiritual adultery—pursuing foreign deities rather than remaining faithful to Yahweh. The verbs lĕʿāḇĕḏām (לְעָבְדָם, to serve) and lĕhishtaḥăwōṯ lāhem (לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת לָהֶם, to worship/bow down to them) indicate comprehensive devotion—both practical service and religious worship directed toward false gods.
The phrase maʿăśê yĕḏêḵem (מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיכֶם, works of your hands) refers to idols—human-crafted objects elevated to divine status. This is ultimate folly: worshiping what we ourselves made. Isaiah mocked this absurdity—using half a tree for firewood and bowing to the other half as god (Isaiah 44:9-20). The promise 'I will do you no hurt' reveals God's desire: He takes no pleasure in punishing His people but judges only when persistent rebellion leaves no alternative. As Paul wrote, 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself' (2 Corinthians 5:19)—His heart seeks restoration, not destruction.