Old Testament
Jeremiah 1:16
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
I will pronounce my judgments against them for all their wickedness—they have abandoned me, burned incense to other gods, and worshiped what they made with their own hands.
Compare translations
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.
What Jeremiah 1:16 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is declaring that He will bring judgment upon the people for their wrongdoing. They have turned away from Him, choosing to worship other gods instead. This includes burning incense, a common practice in idol worship, and creating their own idols to serve. The phrase 'the works of their own hands' highlights the futility of worshiping things made by humans rather than the Creator. This reflects a deep betrayal, as the people have abandoned their true source of life and guidance. God’s judgment is a response to their unfaithfulness and the consequences of their actions. It serves as a warning about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The verse emphasizes that turning away from God leads to spiritual emptiness and ultimately, divine judgment. It calls for self-reflection on what we prioritize in our lives and reminds us of the importance of worshiping God alone, rather than the things we create or elevate above Him.
How to apply Jeremiah 1:16 to your life
This verse encourages us to examine our own lives for any forms of idolatry. Are there things we prioritize over our relationship with God? It reminds us to stay faithful and worship God alone, avoiding distractions that lead us away from Him.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jeremiah's story: The Call of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1–19)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jeremiah
Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 1:16
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 1:16
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 1:16 mean?
Jeremiah 1:16 means that God will judge the people for their wickedness because they have turned away from Him to worship other gods and created idols. This verse highlights the consequences of abandoning God and the futility of worshiping things made by human hands.
What is the significance of 'the works of their own hands' in Jeremiah 1:16?
The phrase 'the works of their own hands' in Jeremiah 1:16 signifies the futility of idol worship, emphasizing that people are worshiping creations rather than the Creator. It illustrates the deep betrayal of turning away from God to serve man-made objects.
How does Jeremiah 1:16 relate to idolatry?
Jeremiah 1:16 relates to idolatry by showing how the people have abandoned God to worship other gods and their own creations. It highlights the dangers of prioritizing anything above God and the judgment that follows such unfaithfulness.
What warning does Jeremiah 1:16 give us today?
Jeremiah 1:16 warns us about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It encourages self-reflection on what we prioritize in our lives and reminds us to worship God alone, avoiding distractions that lead us away from Him.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.