Jeremiah 9:7

A Lament over Zion · Jeremiah 9:1–26
Read Jeremiah 9

Translations

Modern
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?
Traditional
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?
Literal
Therefore thus says YHWH of Hosts: “Behold, I am refining them, and I will test them! For how shall I act before the face of the daughter of My people?
Latin
Propterea hæc dicit Dominus exercituum: Ecce ego conflabo, et probabo eos: quid enim aliud faciam a facie filiæ populi mei?

Original

Hebrew
English
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

Notes

The Lord declared he would test the people through hardship (Jeremiah 6:27–30; Isaiah 1:25). Three rhetorical questions challenged Jeremiah or anyone else to propose an alternative to the Lord’s actions or explain why they were unjustified.

The heavenly court was still in session (see study note on Jeremiah 2:9). The divine Judge explained the charges against the people and justified the harsh verdict. Jeremiah interrupted the Lord’s speech twice to respond to the Lord’s messages (Jeremiah 9:10, 12).

The priests in the Temple memorized and repeated prayers as part of their rituals. They believed using the exact words was crucial; otherwise, the prayers lost their magical power. The character of the priests saying the prayers was not very important. This was also true for lamentations. In contrast, Jeremiah's prayers and lamentations were spontaneous and deeply personal.

Theme notes and profiles

The New Covenant

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person) Neighbor

Topics

Afflictions Made Beneficial in Purifying Us Deceit: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Refiner's Fire Refining of the Corrective Judgments of God