Jeremiah 6:12
And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָסַ֤בּוּ
shall be turned
H5437
וְנָסַ֤בּוּ
shall be turned
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
1 of 15
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
בָֽתֵּיהֶם֙
And their houses
H1004
בָֽתֵּיהֶם֙
And their houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לַאֲחֵרִ֔ים
unto others
H312
לַאֲחֵרִ֔ים
unto others
Strong's:
H312
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַטֶּ֧ה
for I will stretch out
H5186
אַטֶּ֧ה
for I will stretch out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
8 of 15
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדִ֛י
my hand
H3027
יָדִ֛י
my hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 15
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י
upon the inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י
upon the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Jeremiah 8:10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Historical Context
When Babylon conquered Judah, they deported leaders and skilled workers while redistributing land to the poor who remained (2 Kings 25:12). This fulfilled the curse of foreigners and strangers inheriting what belonged to covenant breakers.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the covenant curses in Deuteronomy help us understand God's judgments in redemptive history?
- What does the totality of loss teach about sin's devastating effects on every area of life?
- How should the principle of stewardship inform our view of material possessions as covenant blessings?
Analysis & Commentary
The consequences of judgment include transfer of property: 'their houses shall be turned unto others.' The phrase 'with their fields and wives together' indicates total dispossession. God will 'stretch out my hand' (a gesture of judgment throughout Scripture) upon Judah's inhabitants. This reflects covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28:30-33, where disobedience results in others enjoying what you built and planted. Reformed theology sees this as the principle of divine justice: persistent covenant breaking leads to forfeiture of covenant blessings. The comprehensive loss (houses, fields, wives) demonstrates that sin's consequences affect every dimension of life.