Jeremiah Chapter 9 · Verse 26

Authorized King James Version

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Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.

Original Language Analysis

עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 1 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִצְרַ֣יִם Egypt H4714
מִצְרַ֣יִם Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 2 of 26
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוּדָ֗ה and Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה and Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 4 of 26
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱד֞וֹם and Edom H123
אֱד֞וֹם and Edom
Strong's: H123
Word #: 6 of 26
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 7 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּנֵ֤י and the children H1121
בְּנֵ֤י and the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 8 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּוֹן֙ of Ammon H5983
עַמּוֹן֙ of Ammon
Strong's: H5983
Word #: 9 of 26
ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 10 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מוֹאָ֔ב and Moab H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב and Moab
Strong's: H4124
Word #: 11 of 26
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
וְעַל֙ H5921
וְעַל֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 26
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 #: 13 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
קְצוּצֵ֣י and all that are in the utmost H7112
קְצוּצֵ֣י and all that are in the utmost
Strong's: H7112
Word #: 14 of 26
to chop off (literally or figuratively)
פֵאָ֔ה corners H6285
פֵאָ֔ה corners
Strong's: H6285
Word #: 15 of 26
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים that dwell H3427
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים that dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 16 of 26
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר in the wilderness H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר in the wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 17 of 26
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 18 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 19 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִם֙ for all these nations H1471
הַגּוֹיִם֙ for all these nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 20 of 26
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
עַרְלֵי are uncircumcised H6189
עַרְלֵי are uncircumcised
Strong's: H6189
Word #: 21 of 26
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 22 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֥ית and all the house H1004
בֵּ֥ית and all the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 23 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 24 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַרְלֵי are uncircumcised H6189
עַרְלֵי are uncircumcised
Strong's: H6189
Word #: 25 of 26
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
לֵֽב׃ in the heart H3820
לֵֽב׃ in the heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 26 of 26
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

Analysis & Commentary

This verse lists nations facing judgment: 'Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness.' The Hebrew list includes Israel's major neighbors and trading partners. 'For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.' The climactic indictment equates Israel's heart condition with pagan uncleanness. Despite physical circumcision, Israel's uncircumcised hearts (arelei-lev, עַרְלֵי־לֵב) made them spiritually identical to pagans. The circumcision that matters—heart circumcision—was absent. External religious identity without internal transformation provides no protection from judgment.

Historical Context

The nations listed would all experience Babylonian conquest or domination. Egypt fell to Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC at Carchemish. Edom, Ammon, and Moab were subjugated during his campaigns. 'Those in the corners/wilderness' may refer to Arabian tribes who trimmed their hair at the temples (forbidden in Leviticus 19:27). The comprehensive list shows Babylon as God's instrument judging all nations, Israel included.

Questions for Reflection