Jeremiah 9:26
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
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Leviticus 26:41And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:Ezekiel 44:7In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Jeremiah 49:32And their camels shall be a booty, and the multitude of their cattle a spoil: and I will scatter into all winds them that are in the utmost corners; and I will bring their calamity from all sides thereof, saith the LORD.
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
- What does Israel's equation with pagan nations teach about the worthlessness of religious identity without heart devotion?
- How does this passage anticipate the New Testament teaching that there is no distinction—all have sinned (Romans 3:22-23)?
Related Resources
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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.