Jeremiah 6:15
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
הֹבִ֕ישׁוּ
Were they ashamed
H3001
הֹבִ֕ישׁוּ
Were they ashamed
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
1 of 20
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תוֹעֵבָ֖ה
abomination
H8441
תוֹעֵבָ֖ה
abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
עָשׂ֑וּ
when they had committed
H6213
עָשׂ֑וּ
when they had committed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
גַּם
nay
H1571
גַּם
nay
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יֵב֗וֹשׁוּ
ashamed
H954
יֵב֗וֹשׁוּ
ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵב֗וֹשׁוּ
ashamed
H954
יֵב֗וֹשׁוּ
ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
גַּם
nay
H1571
גַּם
nay
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הַכְלִים֙
they blush
H3637
הַכְלִים֙
they blush
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֔עוּ
could
H3045
יָדָ֔עוּ
could
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
12 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים
among them that fall
H5307
בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים
among them that fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
14 of 20
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים
among them that fall
H5307
בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים
among them that fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
15 of 20
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בְּעֵת
at the time
H6256
בְּעֵת
at the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
16 of 20
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
פְּקַדְתִּ֥ים
that I visit
H6485
פְּקַדְתִּ֥ים
that I visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
17 of 20
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 8:12Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 3:3Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.Philippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Historical Context
By Jeremiah's time, practices that should have horrified covenant people (child sacrifice, temple prostitution, syncretism) were practiced openly without shame. This moral numbness preceded national collapse.
Questions for Reflection
- What are signs that a culture or individual has lost the capacity for moral shame?
- How does persistent sin gradually erode natural moral sensibility and conscience?
- What role does shame play in God's design for recognizing and turning from sin?
Analysis & Commentary
The rhetorical question expects a negative answer: they are not ashamed of their abominations. The phrase 'neither could they blush' indicates such deep corruption that natural moral sense is deadened. Therefore, judgment is certain: 'they shall fall among them that fall' and 'be cast down' at the time of divine visitation. This illustrates the Reformed doctrine of the seared conscience (1 Timothy 4:2)—persistent sin hardens the heart until shame itself disappears. The inability to blush represents complete moral corruption. Such shamelessness removes the last restraint, making judgment inevitable.