Jeremiah 9:25
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Original Language Analysis
יָמִ֥ים
Behold the days
H3117
יָמִ֥ים
Behold the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 10
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּפָ֣קַדְתִּ֔י
that I will punish
H6485
וּפָ֣קַדְתִּ֔י
that I will punish
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
6 of 10
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Circumcision marked covenant identity from Abraham (Genesis 17). Yet Israel presumed the physical sign guaranteed divine favor regardless of heart condition. Jeremiah repeatedly emphasizes heart circumcision (4:4). The nations listed in verse 26—Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, desert dwellers—include both circumcised (Israel) and uncircumcised peoples, all facing judgment. Archaeological and textual evidence shows various forms of circumcision practiced among Israel's neighbors.
Questions for Reflection
- How does judging the circumcised with the uncircumcised challenge reliance on religious rituals without heart transformation?
- What contemporary religious practices might function like circumcision—external marks lacking internal reality?
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces judgment on physical circumcision without spiritual reality: 'Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised.' The Hebrew mul (מוּל, circumcised) is combined with arelim (עֲרֵלִים, uncircumcised)—the phrase suggests 'circumcised in foreskin' or those physically circumcised but spiritually uncircumcised. God will judge Israel alongside pagan nations, suggesting their circumcision provides no protection when hearts remain uncircumcised. This anticipates Paul's argument in Romans 2:25-29 that true circumcision is of the heart.