Old Testament
Jeremiah 7:29
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Cut off your hair, Jerusalem, and throw it away; mourn on the high places, for the LORD has rejected and abandoned the generation of his wrath.
Compare translations
Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
What Jeremiah 7:29 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is speaking to Jerusalem, symbolizing the people of Israel. The command to cut off hair and mourn signifies deep sorrow and loss. Hair cutting was a sign of mourning in ancient cultures, indicating that the people should grieve over their spiritual state. The phrase 'generation of his wrath' refers to the people who have turned away from God, leading to His rejection. This rejection is a serious consequence of their disobedience and idolatry. The high places mentioned were sites of worship, often associated with false gods, where the people should now lament instead of worship. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and highlights the need for repentance and acknowledgment of one's sins.
How to apply Jeremiah 7:29 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our spiritual lives and recognize areas where we may have turned away from God. It calls for genuine mourning over our sins and a commitment to return to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
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 Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. 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.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
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 7:29
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 7:29
Related Bible verses
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 7:29 mean?
Jeremiah 7:29 conveys God's message to Jerusalem, urging the people to express deep sorrow for their spiritual state. The act of cutting hair symbolizes mourning, indicating that they should grieve over their disobedience and the consequences of turning away from God.
What is the significance of cutting hair in Jeremiah 7:29?
In Jeremiah 7:29, cutting hair is a traditional sign of mourning, representing the deep sorrow the people should feel for their rejection of God. It emphasizes the seriousness of their spiritual condition and the need for repentance.
What does 'generation of his wrath' mean in Jeremiah 7:29?
The phrase 'generation of his wrath' in Jeremiah 7:29 refers to the people who have turned away from God, resulting in His rejection of them. It highlights the consequences of their disobedience and idolatry.
What are the high places mentioned in Jeremiah 7:29?
The high places in Jeremiah 7:29 were sites of worship, often associated with false gods. The verse suggests that instead of worshiping at these places, the people should lament their spiritual failures.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.