Jeremiah 8:12
Were 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.
Original Language Analysis
הֹבִ֕שׁוּ
Were they ashamed
H3001
הֹבִ֕שׁוּ
Were they ashamed
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
1 of 19
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 19
(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 19
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 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יֵבֹ֗שׁוּ
ashamed
H954
יֵבֹ֗שׁוּ
ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
6 of 19
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 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵבֹ֗שׁוּ
ashamed
H954
יֵבֹ֗שׁוּ
ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וְהִכָּלֵם֙
they blush
H3637
וְהִכָּלֵם֙
they blush
Strong's:
H3637
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֔עוּ
neither could
H3045
יָדָ֔עוּ
neither could
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 19
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 #:
12 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בַנֹּפְלִ֗ים
among them that fall
H5307
בַנֹּפְלִ֗ים
among them that fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
13 of 19
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בַנֹּפְלִ֗ים
among them that fall
H5307
בַנֹּפְלִ֗ים
among them that fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
14 of 19
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בְּעֵ֧ת
in the time
H6256
בְּעֵ֧ת
in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
15 of 19
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
פְּקֻדָּתָ֛ם
of their visitation
H6486
פְּקֻדָּתָ֛ם
of their visitation
Strong's:
H6486
Word #:
16 of 19
visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
Cross References
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.Isaiah 3:9The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.Psalms 52:7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.Jeremiah 6:15Were 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.Psalms 52:1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.Deuteronomy 32:35To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.Zephaniah 3:5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Historical Context
The inability to feel shame indicates moral cauterization through repeated sin (1 Timothy 4:2). Ancient Near Eastern shame cultures valued public honor; shamelessness was considered the final stage of moral degradation. False prophets in Jeremiah's day not only failed to repent when exposed but continued their false message with brazen confidence. Their 'visitation' came with Babylon's conquest when many were killed or exiled.
Questions for Reflection
- How does repeated sin deaden our conscience until we can no longer feel appropriate shame?
- What spiritual practices help maintain sensitivity to sin that prevents the hardening described here?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes false prophets' response to their failure: 'Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?' The rhetorical question uses Hebrew hevish (הֱבִישׁ, to be ashamed) with to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה, abomination)—the strongest term for something detestable to God. 'Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush.' The doubled negative (lo vosh yevoshu, לֹא בוֹשׁ יֵבֹשׁוּ) and inability to blush (haklim, הַכְלִים, to become red-faced) indicates seared consciences beyond normal shame response. 'Therefore shall they fall among them that fall' pronounces judgment—those who led others into ruin will share their fate. 'In the time of their visitation they shall be cast down' uses paqad (פָּקַד, to visit, reckon with) indicating divine audit and judgment.