Jeremiah 7:29
Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
Original Language Analysis
גָּזִּ֤י
Cut off
H1494
גָּזִּ֤י
Cut off
Strong's:
H1494
Word #:
1 of 14
to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
נִזְרֵךְ֙
thine hair
H5145
נִזְרֵךְ֙
thine hair
Strong's:
H5145
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl
וְֽהַשְׁלִ֔יכִי
O Jerusalem and cast it away
H7993
וְֽהַשְׁלִ֔יכִי
O Jerusalem and cast it away
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
3 of 14
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
וּשְׂאִ֥י
and take up
H5375
וּשְׂאִ֥י
and take up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
קִינָ֑ה
a lamentation
H7015
קִינָ֑ה
a lamentation
Strong's:
H7015
Word #:
7 of 14
a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּטֹּ֖שׁ
and forsaken
H5203
וַיִּטֹּ֖שׁ
and forsaken
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Job 1:20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,Jeremiah 6:30Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.Micah 1:16Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.Jeremiah 16:6Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:
Historical Context
This prophecy was fulfilled in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. That generation experienced the fullness of covenant curses, becoming known as the generation of divine wrath.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be 'the generation of His wrath'?
- How should awareness of divine judgment produce mourning and lamentation?
- What hope exists even for those living under God's wrath (pointing forward to Christ)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command: 'Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.' Cutting hair was a sign of mourning and shame (Job 1:20; Micah 1:16). Jerusalem must mourn on 'high places' (ironically, sites of idolatrous worship). The phrases 'rejected' and 'forsaken' indicate complete abandonment. Most sobering: this is 'the generation of his wrath'—a generation marked for judgment. This shows that while God is patient, His wrath eventually falls on persistent rebellion. The command to mourn acknowledges the tragedy of divine judgment on covenant people.