Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Take warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it.” New Living Translation Listen to this warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn from you in disgust. Listen, or I will turn you into a heap of ruins, a land where no one lives.” English Standard Version Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest I turn from you in disgust, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.” Berean Standard Bible Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.” Berean Literal Bible Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest My soul should separate from you, lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited.” King James Bible Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. New King James Version Be instructed, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul depart from you; Lest I make you desolate, A land not inhabited.” New American Standard Bible “Be warned, Jerusalem, Or I shall be alienated from you, And make you a desolation, An uninhabited land.” NASB 1995 “Be warned, O Jerusalem, Or I shall be alienated from you, And make you a desolation, A land not inhabited.” NASB 1977 “Be warned, O Jerusalem, Lest I be alienated from you; Lest I make you a desolation, A land not inhabited.” Legacy Standard Bible Heed discipline, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul become disgusted at you, Lest I make you a desolation, A land not inhabited.” Amplified Bible “Be wise and be warned, O Jerusalem, Or I will be alienated from you, And make you a desolation, An uninhabited land.” Berean Annotated Bible Be forewarned, O Jerusalem (city of peace), or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant. Christian Standard Bible Be warned, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitants. Holman Christian Standard Bible Be warned, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitants. American Standard Version Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from thee; lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited. Contemporary English Version Listen to me, you people of Jerusalem and Judah. I will abandon you, and your land will become an empty desert. English Revised Version Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from thee; lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited. GOD'S WORD® Translation Pay attention to my warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you. I will make your land desolate, a land where no one will live. Good News Translation People of Jerusalem, let these troubles be a warning to you, or else I will abandon you; I will turn your city into a desert, a place where no one lives." International Standard Version Be warned, Jerusalem, or I'll be alienated from you. I'll make you desolate, a land not inhabited." NET Bible So take warning, Jerusalem, or I will abandon you in disgust and make you desolate, a place where no one can live." New Heart English Bible Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited." Webster's Bible Translation Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBe forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.” World English Bible Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you, lest I make you a desolation, an uninhabited land.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBe instructed, O Jerusalem, "" Lest My soul be alienated from you, "" Lest I make you a desolation, "" A land [that is] not inhabited.” Berean Literal Bible Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest My soul should separate from you, lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited.” Young's Literal Translation Be instructed, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul be alienated from thee, Lest I make thee a desolation, a land not inhabited. Smith's Literal Translation Be admonished, O Jerusalem, lest thy soul shall be alienated from thee; lest I shall set thee a desolation, a land not inhabited. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBe thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee, lest I make thee desolate, a land uninhabited. Catholic Public Domain Version O Jerusalem, accept instruction, lest perhaps my soul may withdraw from you; lest perhaps I may set you in a desert, in an uninhabitable land.” New American Bible Be warned, Jerusalem, or I will be estranged from you, And I will turn you into a wilderness, a land where no one dwells. New Revised Standard Version Take warning, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation, an uninhabited land. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBe chastised, O Jerusalem, lest my soul abhor you; lest I make you desolate like an uninhabited land. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In sorrows and with scourgings be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul will turn from you, lest I shall make you a wilderness, as a land that is uninhabited’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Be thou corrected, O Jerusalem, Lest My soul be alienated from thee, Lest I make thee desolate, A land not inhabited. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt be chastened, O Jerusalem, with pain and the scourge, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee a desert land, which shall not be inhabited. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem's Final Warning…7As a well gushes its water, so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds are ever before Me. 8Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.” 9This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches.”… Cross References Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, Matthew 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. Luke 19:41-44 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. … Ezekiel 33:7 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. or I will turn away from you; 2 Kings 23:27 For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’” Hosea 5:15 Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Leviticus 26:17 And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you. I will make you a desolation, Jeremiah 26:9 How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. Micah 3:12 Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge. Jeremiah 19:8 I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds. a land without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 32:43 And fields will be bought in this land about which you are saying, ‘It is a desolation, without man or beast; it has been delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans.’ Isaiah 6:11-12 Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, / until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken. Leviticus 26:33-35 But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste. / Then the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths all the days it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies. At that time the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. / As long as it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not receive during the Sabbaths when you lived in it. Isaiah 1:16-20 Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! / Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” / “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. … Zephaniah 2:1-3 Gather yourselves, gather together, O shameful nation, / before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. / Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. Amos 4:6-12 “I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. / “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. / People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. … Hosea 4:1-3 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. Treasury of Scripture Be you instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from you; lest I make you desolate, a land not inhabited. Be thou. Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Jeremiah 7:3-7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place… Jeremiah 17:23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction. lest. Ezekiel 23:18 So she discovered her whoredoms, and discovered her nakedness: then my mind was alienated from her, like as my mind was alienated from her sister. Hosea 9:12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them! Zechariah 11:8,9 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me… depart. Jeremiah 2:15 The young lions roared upon him, and yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant. Jeremiah 7:20,34 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched… Jeremiah 9:11 And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Jump to Previous Alienated Corrected Depart Desolate Desolation Inhabited Instructed Jerusalem Soul Teaching Turn Turned Undergo Uninhabited Unpeopled Warned Warning WasteJump to Next Alienated Corrected Depart Desolate Desolation Inhabited Instructed Jerusalem Soul Teaching Turn Turned Undergo Uninhabited Unpeopled Warned Warning WasteJeremiah 6 1. The enemies sent against Judah,4. encourage themselves. 6. God sets them on work because of their sins. 9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins. 18. He proclaims God's wrath. 26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins. Be forewarned, O Jerusalem This phrase serves as a direct warning to the city of Jerusalem, the heart of Judah and the center of Jewish worship. The warning is a call to repentance, emphasizing the urgency of turning back to God. Historically, Jerusalem was the political and spiritual center of the Jewish people, housing the Temple built by Solomon. The warning reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where disobedience leads to consequences. This echoes earlier warnings given by prophets like Isaiah and Hosea, who also called for repentance to avoid impending judgment. or I will turn away from you I will make you a desolation a land without inhabitant Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by deep personal struggle and unwavering commitment to God's word. 2. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, central to Jewish worship and identity. It was the focal point of God's warnings due to its spiritual and moral decline. 3. God's Warning The event of God issuing a stern warning to Jerusalem through Jeremiah, emphasizing the consequences of continued disobedience. Teaching Points The Seriousness of God's WarningsGod's warnings are not to be taken lightly. They are expressions of His justice and love, urging repentance to avoid judgment. The Consequences of Disobedience Persistent disobedience leads to desolation. Just as Jerusalem faced destruction, ignoring God's commands today can lead to spiritual desolation. The Call to Repentance God’s warnings are coupled with a call to repentance. Turning back to God can avert disaster and restore relationship. The Role of Prophets Prophets like Jeremiah serve as God's mouthpieces, delivering messages that are often unpopular but necessary for spiritual health. God's Desire for Relationship Despite the warnings, God's ultimate desire is for a restored relationship with His people, highlighting His mercy and grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 6:8?2. How can we heed God's warning to avoid becoming "desolate" like Jerusalem? 3. What actions today might provoke God to "turn away" from us? 4. How does Jeremiah 6:8 connect with God's warnings in Deuteronomy 28? 5. In what ways can we "be warned" by God's messages in our daily lives? 6. How can we ensure our community remains faithful and avoids spiritual desolation? 7. What does Jeremiah 6:8 reveal about God's expectations for repentance and obedience? 8. How does Jeremiah 6:8 reflect God's relationship with Israel? 9. What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 6:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6? 11. Does God possess a soul? 12. What does 'Your house will be left desolate' mean? 13. How can Jeremiah 6:1 claim impending doom on Jerusalem without historical evidence of such a massive catastrophe at that specific time? 14. Zechariah 7:5 mentions seventy years of fasting; is there archaeological or historical evidence to confirm the exact duration of this period? What Does Jeremiah 6:8 Mean Be forewarned, O JerusalemJeremiah begins with an appeal that drips with both urgency and mercy: “Be forewarned, O Jerusalem”. • God never judges without first giving clear warning. He “appointed watchmen” who cried out, “Listen for the sound of the trumpet!” yet the people replied, “We will not listen” (Jeremiah 6:17). • The word “forewarned” reminds us of the divine patience described in 2 Peter 3:9—He is “patient…not wanting anyone to perish.” • Even at this late hour, the door to repentance stood open, echoing Jeremiah 26:3: “Perhaps they will listen and turn…so that I may relent from the disaster.” God’s heart is to spare, not to destroy, but He will not force repentance. or I will turn away from you Refusal to heed the warning carries a chilling consequence: “I will turn away from you.” • Turning away pictures the withdrawal of God’s protective presence, as seen earlier when Israel was told, “I will surely hide My face…because of all the evil they have done” (Deuteronomy 31:17). • Psalm 81:12 presents the same principle: “So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts.” • Yet the possibility of mercy remains: “If that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent” (Jeremiah 18:8). God’s turning is not capricious; it is a righteous response to persistent rebellion. I will make you a desolation Next comes the stark promise of judgment: “I will make you a desolation.” • Jeremiah later foretells, “This whole land will become a desolation and a horror” (Jeremiah 25:11). • Micah 3:12 had earlier warned that “Zion will be plowed like a field,” showing the consistency of God’s message through multiple prophets. • Desolation means the stripping away of every false security—walls, temples, wealth—so that only dependence on God remains possible. a land without inhabitant The final phrase completes the picture: Jerusalem will become “a land without inhabitant.” • Jeremiah 9:11 repeats the verdict: “I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins…without inhabitant”. • The Babylonian exile fulfilled this when “the remnant…were carried into Babylon” and “the land enjoyed its Sabbaths” (2 Chronicles 36:20-21). • Leviticus 26:33 had long before laid out this covenant consequence: dispersion among the nations until the land lay fallow. The empty streets and ruined homes would stand as a solemn monument to the cost of ignored warnings. summary Jeremiah 6:8 is a concentrated call to repentance, revealing a God who first warns, then withdraws, and finally judges if sin persists. He longs to spare His people, yet He will not overlook unrepentant rebellion. The verse invites every reader to hear the warning, turn while there is time, and enjoy the safety found only in faithful obedience to Him. (8) Be thou instructed.--Better, Be thou corrected, or, chastened. Comp. Psalm 2:10; Leviticus 26:23 (where we have "reformed"); and Proverbs 29:19.Lest my soul.--As in Jeremiah 4:19, the Hebrew formula for emphasised personality. The word for "depart" may be better rendered tear itself away. Verse 8. - Be thou instructed; rather, Let thyself be corrected (Authorized Version misses the sense, a very important one, of the conjugation, which is Nifal tolerativum (comp. Psalm 2:10; Isaiah 53:12). The phrase equivalent to "receive correction" (Jeremiah 2:30; Jeremiah 5:3), and means to accept the warning conveyed in the Divine chastisement. Lest my soul, etc.; rather, lest my soul be rent from thee (Authorized Version renders the same verb in Ezekiel 23:17, "be alienated").Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Be warned,הִוָּסְרִי֙ (hiw·wā·sə·rî) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - feminine singular Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish O Jerusalem, יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel or פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction Strong's 6435: Removal, lest I נַפְשִׁ֖י (nap̄·šî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion will turn away תֵּקַ֥ע (tê·qa‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3363: To sever oneself, to be dislocated, to abandon, to impale from you; מִמֵּ֑ךְ (mim·mêḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of I will make אֲשִׂימֵ֣ךְ (’ă·śî·mêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set you a desolation, שְׁמָמָ֔ה (šə·mā·māh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8077: Devastation, astonishment a land אֶ֖רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land without ל֥וֹא (lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no inhabitants.” נוֹשָֽׁבָה׃ (nō·wō·šā·ḇāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry Links Jeremiah 6:8 NIVJeremiah 6:8 NLT Jeremiah 6:8 ESV Jeremiah 6:8 NASB Jeremiah 6:8 KJV Jeremiah 6:8 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 6:8 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 6:8 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 6:8 French Bible Jeremiah 6:8 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:8 Be instructed Jerusalem lest my soul be (Jer.) |
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