Jeremiah 31:30
But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אִ֥ישׁ
But every one
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
But every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יָמ֑וּת
shall die
H4191
יָמ֑וּת
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 11
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
every man
H120
הָֽאָדָ֛ם
every man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
7 of 11
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.Ezekiel 18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.Deuteronomy 24:16The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.Galatians 6:5For every man shall bear his own burden.Ezekiel 18:4Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.Ezekiel 33:18When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.
Historical Context
The Babylonian Talmud later developed extensive teaching on individual versus corporate responsibility, wrestling with how to understand God's justice. The exile forced Israel to confront these questions. How could God be just if innocent people suffered? The prophets' answer: there were no innocent people; all were guilty. Yet God in mercy would save a remnant not because they deserved it but because of His covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does individual accountability for sin both condemn us (all are guilty) and point us to Christ (we need a substitute)?
- What is the relationship between personal responsibility and God's sovereignty—how do both remain true?
- How should understanding that 'every one shall die for his own iniquity' affect how we view and treat others?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse explicitly states the principle implied in verse 29: individual accountability. 'Every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge'—the one who sins bears the consequences. This is basic justice: punishment falls on the guilty party. The Mosaic law established this principle (Deuteronomy 24:16), but the people had perverted it by claiming corporate guilt absolved individual responsibility.
This teaching establishes human dignity and moral agency. We are not mere products of our environment or victims of our ancestry. Each person is a moral agent capable of choice and therefore responsible for their choices. This grounds both condemnation (we are guilty for our own sin) and hope (we can choose to repent and believe). It also prevents fatalism—we are not doomed by our family history or trapped by circumstances beyond our control.
However, this principle must be balanced with the gospel truth that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and deserve death. While we die for our own iniquity, we cannot save ourselves through moral improvement. We need a substitute who dies for our iniquity—Christ, the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18). Individual accountability for sin drives us to the cross, where Christ bore our sins in His body (1 Peter 2:24).