Old Testament
Jeremiah 19:4
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Because they have abandoned me and made this place foreign, and have burned incense here to other gods, whom neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah have known, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
Compare translations
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
What Jeremiah 19:4 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God expresses His anger towards the people of Judah for turning away from Him. They have made the land unclean by worshiping foreign gods, which they and their ancestors did not know. This act of idolatry is compounded by the violence that has occurred there, symbolized by the 'blood of innocents.' The verse highlights the seriousness of abandoning God and the consequences of such actions, emphasizing that the people have not only rejected Him but have also desecrated the land that was meant to be holy. The mention of 'innocents' suggests that their actions have led to grave injustices, further angering God. This serves as a warning about the dangers of turning away from divine guidance and the moral decay that can follow when a society forsakes its foundational beliefs.
How to apply Jeremiah 19:4 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of staying true to our faith and values. It warns against the dangers of turning to other influences that can lead us away from God. We should strive to maintain our spiritual integrity and seek justice in our communities.
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 Clay Jar (Jeremiah 19:1–20:6)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jeremiah
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. 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.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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 19:4
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 19:4
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 19:4 mean?
Jeremiah 19:4 conveys God's anger towards the people of Judah for abandoning Him and worshiping foreign gods. It highlights the desecration of the land and the violence represented by the 'blood of innocents,' emphasizing the serious consequences of turning away from God.
What is the significance of 'blood of innocents' in Jeremiah 19:4?
The phrase 'blood of innocents' in Jeremiah 19:4 symbolizes the violence and injustice that have occurred in the land due to the people's idolatry. It underscores the severity of their actions and the moral decay that results from abandoning God's guidance.
How does Jeremiah 19:4 relate to idolatry?
Jeremiah 19:4 directly relates to idolatry by condemning the people for burning incense to other gods, which they and their ancestors did not know. This act of turning away from God is portrayed as a serious offense that leads to the corruption of their land.
What lessons can we learn from Jeremiah 19:4?
From Jeremiah 19:4, we learn the importance of staying true to our faith and the dangers of allowing external influences to lead us away from God. It emphasizes the need for spiritual integrity and the pursuit of justice in our communities.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.