Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה
H3541
כֹּ֣ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֡ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֡ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמְדוּ֩
Stand
H5975
עִמְדוּ֩
Stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 22
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דֶ֤רֶךְ
way
H1870
דֶ֤רֶךְ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
6 of 22
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּרְא֜וּ
and see
H7200
וּרְא֜וּ
and see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וְשַׁאֲל֣וּ׀
and ask
H7592
וְשַׁאֲל֣וּ׀
and ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
8 of 22
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
עוֹלָ֗ם
for the old
H5769
עוֹלָ֗ם
for the old
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
דֶ֤רֶךְ
way
H1870
דֶ֤רֶךְ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
13 of 22
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַטּוֹב֙
where is the good
H2896
הַטּוֹב֙
where is the good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
14 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וּלְכוּ
H1980
וּלְכוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 22
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וּמִצְא֥וּ
therein and ye shall find
H4672
וּמִצְא֥וּ
therein and ye shall find
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
לְנַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם
for your souls
H5315
לְנַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם
for your souls
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Cross References
Isaiah 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.Jeremiah 18:15Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;Deuteronomy 32:7Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.Jeremiah 7:23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.Colossians 2:6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:Isaiah 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.Jeremiah 18:12And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.John 12:35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.Jeremiah 22:21I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.Jeremiah 44:16As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.
Historical Context
During Josiah's reform (2 Kings 22-23), the rediscovered Book of the Law called Judah back to covenant faithfulness. However, after Josiah's death, the people quickly reverted to idolatry, rejecting the 'old paths.'
Questions for Reflection
- What are the 'old paths' that contemporary Christianity needs to recover?
- How do we distinguish between legitimate development of doctrine and departure from biblical truth?
- Why does the human heart resist returning to tried and tested ways of faithfulness to God?
Analysis & Commentary
God commands His people to 'stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way.' This call to return to ancient covenant faithfulness contrasts with innovation and compromise. The promise 'ye shall find rest unto your souls' (echoed by Jesus in Matthew 11:29) offers peace through obedience. However, the people's response—'We will not walk therein'—demonstrates willful rebellion. Reformed theology values the 'old paths' of historic orthodoxy, recognizing that truth is not discovered but received from God's revelation. The refusal to walk in God's ways despite clear direction shows human autonomy asserting itself against divine authority.