Jeremiah 7:30
For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָשׂ֨וּ
have done
H6213
עָשׂ֨וּ
have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְנֵי
For the children
H1121
בְנֵי
For the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֥ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֥ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בְּעֵינַ֖י
in my sight
H5869
בְּעֵינַ֖י
in my sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
6 of 16
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׂ֣מוּ
they have set
H7760
שָׂ֣מוּ
they have set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
9 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֗ם
their abominations
H8251
שִׁקּֽוּצֵיהֶ֗ם
their abominations
Strong's:
H8251
Word #:
10 of 16
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
בַּבַּ֛יִת
in the house
H1004
בַּבַּ֛יִת
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָא
which is called
H7121
נִקְרָא
which is called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
13 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמִ֥י
by my name
H8034
שְׁמִ֥י
by my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.Ezekiel 7:20As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.Daniel 9:27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.2 Kings 21:7And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:2 Kings 21:4And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.2 Chronicles 33:7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
Historical Context
Archaeological and biblical evidence confirms that pagan symbols and altars were erected even in the Jerusalem temple during periods of apostasy (2 Kings 21:4-5; Ezekiel 8).
Questions for Reflection
- How do modern believers risk polluting what bears God's name (the church, our bodies as temples)?
- What does this verse teach about the seriousness of syncretism and religious compromise?
- How should reverence for God's holiness inform our worship practices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The reason for judgment: 'For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.' Not only did they practice idolatry generally, but they placed idols in the temple itself—the house bearing God's name. This represents ultimate covenant violation: defiling the sacred space dedicated to Yahweh's worship. The phrase 'in my sight' emphasizes that God witnesses all violations of His holiness. Polluting the temple that bore His name was simultaneously sacrilege and identity theft—claiming to worship Yahweh while serving idols.