Jeremiah 6:19
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְעִ֣י
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְעִ֣י
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מֵבִ֥יא
behold I will bring
H935
מֵבִ֥יא
behold I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
5 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעָ֥ם
upon this people
H5971
הָעָ֥ם
upon this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
מַחְשְׁבוֹתָ֑ם
of their thoughts
H4284
מַחְשְׁבוֹתָ֑ם
of their thoughts
Strong's:
H4284
Word #:
11 of 19
a contrivance, i.e., (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבָרַי֙
unto my words
H1697
דְּבָרַי֙
unto my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
14 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִקְשִׁ֔יבוּ
because they have not hearkened
H7181
הִקְשִׁ֔יבוּ
because they have not hearkened
Strong's:
H7181
Word #:
16 of 19
to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken
וְתוֹרָתִ֖י
nor to my law
H8451
וְתוֹרָתִ֖י
nor to my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
17 of 19
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
Cross References
Isaiah 1:2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.Acts 8:22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.Jeremiah 8:9The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.Jeremiah 22:29O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.John 12:48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.Hosea 10:13Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.Micah 6:2Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.
Historical Context
The prophets consistently taught that idolatry begins in the mind and heart (Ezekiel 14:3-4). Judah's physical idolatry reflected prior mental and spiritual apostasy, which inevitably produced judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do our thought patterns shape the trajectory of our spiritual lives?
- What is the relationship between God's direct judgment and the natural consequences of sin?
- How should understanding that actions are 'fruit of thoughts' shape our spiritual disciplines?
Analysis & Commentary
God summons the earth itself to witness, emphasizing the cosmic significance of His judgment. The declaration 'I will bring evil upon this people' uses 'evil' in the sense of calamity or disaster as judicial punishment. The key phrase 'the fruit of their thoughts' reveals the root: judgment comes as the natural consequence of their mental and spiritual orientation. Their rejection is comprehensive: 'they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.' This verse illustrates the principle that sin produces its own consequences—the 'fruit' metaphor shows organic connection between thoughts, words, actions, and resulting judgment. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's judgments are both direct (His active intervention) and consequential (the natural outworking of sin).