New International VersionDuring the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there.
New Living TranslationDuring the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what fickle Israel has done? Like a wife who commits adultery, Israel has worshiped other gods on every hill and under every green tree.
English Standard VersionThe LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: “Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore?
Berean Standard BibleNow in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
King James BibleThe LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
New King James VersionThe LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot.
New American Standard BibleThen the LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every leafy tree, and she prostituted herself there.
NASB 1995Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there.
NASB 1977Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there.
Legacy Standard BibleThen Yahweh said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there.
Amplified BibleMoreover, the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king [of Judah], “Have you seen what that faithless Israel has done—how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there she was a prostitute?
Christian Standard BibleIn the days of King Josiah the LORD asked me, “Have you seen what unfaithful Israel has done? She has ascended every high hill and gone under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
Holman Christian Standard BibleIn the days of King Josiah the LORD asked me, “Have you seen what unfaithful Israel has done? She has ascended every high hill and gone under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
American Standard VersionMoreover Jehovah said unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
Contemporary English VersionWhen Josiah was king, the LORD said: Jeremiah, the kingdom of Israel was like an unfaithful wife who became a prostitute on the hilltops and in the shade of large trees.
English Revised VersionMoreover the LORD said unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen Josiah was king, the LORD asked me, "Did you see what unfaithful Israel did? She went up every high mountain and under every large tree, and she acted like a prostitute there.
Good News TranslationWhen Josiah was king, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what Israel, that unfaithful woman, has done? She has turned away from me, and on every high hill and under every green tree she has acted like a prostitute.
International Standard VersionIn the time of King Josiah the LORD told me, "Have you seen what unfaithful Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she committed fornication there.
NET BibleWhen Josiah was king of Judah, the LORD said to me, "Jeremiah, you have no doubt seen what wayward Israel has done. You have seen how she went up to every high hill and under every green tree to give herself like a prostitute to other gods.
New Heart English BibleMoreover, the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the prostitute.
Webster's Bible TranslationThe LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she hath gone up upon every high mountain, and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.
World English BibleMoreover, Yahweh said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and has played the prostitute there. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to me, in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She is going on every high mountain, and to the place of every green tree, and commits fornication there.
Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto me, in the days of Josiah the king, 'Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She is going on every high mountain, and unto the place of every green tree, and committeth fornication there.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jehovah will say to me in the days of Josiah the king, Sawest thou what Israel turning back, did? She went up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and she will commit fornication there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to me in the days of king Josias: Hast thou seen what rebellious Israel hast done? she hath gone out of herself upon every high mountain, and under every green tree, and hath played the harlot there.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd, in the days of king Josiah, the Lord said to me: “Have you not seen what the apostate Israel has done? She has brought herself up to every lofty mountain, and she has lain down under every leafy tree, and she has committed fornication there.
New American BibleThe LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: Do you see what rebellious Israel has done? She has gone up every high mountain, and under every green tree she has played the prostitute.
New Revised Standard VersionThe LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and played the whore there? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah, Have you seen the thing which she who dwells in Israel has done? She has gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the harlot.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd LORD JEHOVAH said to me in the days of Yoshia the King: “I have seen the thing that the inhabitant of Israel has done. She went to every high mountain and under every thick tree and she committed prostitution there OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD said unto me in the days of Josiah the king: 'Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel did? she went up upon every high mountain and under every leafy tree, and there played the harlot.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the Lord said to me in the days of Josias the king, Hast thou seen what things the house of Israel has done to me? they have gone on every high mountain, and under every shady tree, and have committed fornication there.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Judah Follows Israel's Example6Now in the daysof KingJosiah,the LORDsaidto me,“Have you seenwhatfaithlessIsraelhas done?Shehas gone uponeveryhighhilland undereverygreentreeto prostitute herselfthere.7I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.…
Cross References Hosea 4:15Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
2 Kings 17:18-20So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.
Ezekiel 23:1-49Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, / and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. ...
Isaiah 1:21See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!
Hosea 2:2Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.
2 Chronicles 36:15-16Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Isaiah 57:3-9“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ...
Ezekiel 16:15-34But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. / You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! / You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. ...
Hosea 9:1Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations, for you have played the harlot against your God; you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.
2 Kings 21:11-15“Since Manasseh king of Judah has committed all these abominations, acting more wickedly than the Amorites who preceded him, and with his idols has caused Judah to sin, / this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it. / I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down. ...
Matthew 23:37O 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!
Revelation 17:1-5Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” / And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ...
Luke 13:34O 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!
Romans 11:11I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.
John 4:22You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Treasury of Scripture The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king, Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? she is gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the harlot. A. Jeremiah 3:8,11-14 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also… Jeremiah 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see thatit is an evilthing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fearis not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counselsand in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. she is Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke,and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Isaiah 57:7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. Ezekiel 16:24,25,31That thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street… played Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. Jump to Previous BackslidingFaithlessGreenHarlotHighIsraelJosiahLeafyMoreoverMountainPlayedProstituteTreeJump to Next BackslidingFaithlessGreenHarlotHighIsraelJosiahLeafyMoreoverMountainPlayedProstituteTreeJeremiah 3 1.God's great mercy to Judah the polluted land6.Judah is worse than Israel12.The promises of the gospel to the penitent20.Israel reproved, and called by God, makes a solemn confession of their sinsNow in the days of King JosiahThis phrase sets the historical context during the reign of King Josiah, who ruled Judah from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Josiah was known for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh, as described in 2 Kings 22-23. His reign was marked by a significant spiritual revival, including the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple. This period was crucial as it was a time of potential repentance and renewal for Judah, contrasting with the northern kingdom of Israel, which had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC. the LORD said to me
This indicates that the message is a direct revelation from God to the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah, called as a prophet in his youth, served as a mouthpiece for God, delivering messages of warning, judgment, and hope to the people of Judah. The divine origin of the message underscores its authority and the seriousness with which it should be received. “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done?
Here, God refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had been characterized by idolatry and apostasy. The term "faithless" highlights Israel's breach of covenant with God, as they turned away from Him to worship other gods. This rhetorical question serves to draw attention to Israel's spiritual adultery and serves as a warning to Judah, which was following a similar path despite Josiah's reforms. She has gone up on every high hill
The "high hills" were often sites of pagan worship, where altars and shrines to foreign gods were erected. This practice was common in the ancient Near East, where high places were considered closer to the divine realm. Israel's use of these sites for idolatry was a direct violation of God's command to worship Him alone and in the manner He prescribed. and under every green tree
The phrase "under every green tree" is a common biblical metaphor for idolatrous worship practices. Trees were often associated with fertility cults and were used as symbols or locations for worshiping deities like Baal and Asherah. This imagery emphasizes the pervasive nature of Israel's unfaithfulness, as they engaged in idolatry in numerous locations. to prostitute herself there.
This metaphor of prostitution is frequently used in the Bible to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. It conveys the idea of spiritual adultery, where Israel, likened to an unfaithful spouse, has abandoned her covenant relationship with God to pursue other gods. This imagery is powerful, illustrating the depth of Israel's betrayal and the grievousness of their sin. It also serves as a call to repentance, highlighting the need for Israel and Judah to return to their covenantal obligations. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 2. King JosiahThe king of Judah during whose reign Jeremiah began his prophetic ministry. Known for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who speaks to Jeremiah regarding the spiritual state of Israel. 4. Faithless IsraelRefers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had turned away from God and engaged in idolatry and spiritual adultery. 5. High hills and green treesLocations often associated with pagan worship and idolatry in ancient Israel, where the people engaged in practices contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols. Spiritual AdulteryJust as Israel was unfaithful to God, we can be spiritually unfaithful when we prioritize other things over our relationship with Him. Faithfulness to God requires exclusive devotion. The Call to RepentanceGod’s message through Jeremiah is a call to repentance. We are invited to turn away from our sins and return to God with sincere hearts. The Role of LeadershipKing Josiah's reforms show the impact of godly leadership. Leaders in the church and community should strive to guide others toward righteousness. God’s Unchanging StandardsDespite cultural changes, God’s standards remain the same. We are called to uphold His commands and live according to His Word. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Jeremiah 3:6?
2.How does Jeremiah 3:6 illustrate Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to God?
3.What lessons can modern believers learn from Israel's actions in Jeremiah 3:6?
4.How does Jeremiah 3:6 connect with the theme of repentance in Scripture?
5.In what ways can we avoid the "faithless Israel" behavior in our lives?
6.How can church communities address spiritual unfaithfulness as seen in Jeremiah 3:6?
7.What does Jeremiah 3:6 reveal about Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness?
8.How does Jeremiah 3:6 reflect God's perspective on idolatry?
9.What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 3:6?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 3?
11.How can one return after backsliding from faith?
12.In Nahum 3:4, does the metaphorical language of prostitution and witchcraft reflect actual historical practices in Nineveh, or is it exaggerated prophetic rhetoric?
13.Who were the believers in the Old Testament?
14.How can the graphic sexual imagery in Ezekiel 23:3 and 20 be reconciled with the holiness and purity usually attributed to Scripture?What Does Jeremiah 3:6 Mean Now in the days of King JosiahPicture the setting: Judah is experiencing a short-lived revival under good King Josiah (2 Kings 22–23;2 Chronicles 34–35). Idols are being smashed, the temple repaired, and the lost Book of the Law rediscovered. Yet even during this reform, God reminds Jeremiah that the northern kingdom’s earlier collapse still shouts a warning. The faithfulness of a king cannot erase the covenant breach of a nation.
the LORD said to meThis isn’t Jeremiah’s opinion; it is God’s direct word (Jeremiah 1:4–10). By stressing divine authorship, Scripture underscores its own reliability and authority (2 Timothy 3:16). When God speaks, His verdict stands, whether in Josiah’s day or ours.
“Have you seen what faithless Israel has done?”God invites Jeremiah (and us) to look back at Israel’s history. The northern tribes had already been exiled by Assyria for turning from the LORD (2 Kings 17:6–23). Calling them “faithless” (“treacherous” in some translations) contrasts sharply with God’s covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9). Their story is meant to be a vivid cautionary tale for Judah.
She has gone up on every high hillHigh places were scenic spots used for pagan worship (Deuteronomy 12:2;1 Kings 14:23). Instead of meeting God where He prescribed—at the temple in Jerusalem—Israel sought spiritual thrills elsewhere. Worship location reveals loyalty; their choice showed rejection of God’s exclusive claim (Exodus 20:3).
and under every green treeShaded groves became centers for fertility rites (Isaiah 57:5;Hosea 4:13). What looks lush and appealing to the eyes so often hides spiritual rot. God’s people blended in with the nations rather than shining as a light to them (Deuteronomy 4:6-8).
to prostitute herself thereSpiritual adultery is the Bible’s blunt picture of idolatry (Exodus 34:15-16;Hosea 1:2). Israel’s covenant with God was a marriage; chasing other gods was prostitution. The language is graphic on purpose—unfaithfulness to the LORD is never a minor slip, but a betrayal of love.
summaryJeremiah 3:6 is God’s sobering reminder that Josiah’s outward reforms cannot mask Judah’s inner pull toward the same unfaithfulness that ruined Israel. The verse warns every generation: genuine revival demands more than surface changes; it calls for covenant loyalty to the LORD alone. (6) The Lord said also unto me . . .--The main point of the second prophecy (we might almost call it sermon), delivered, like the former, under Josiah, is the comparison of the guilt of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The latter had been looking on the former with contemptuous scorn. She is now taught--the same imagery being continued that had begun in the first discourse--that her guilt is by far the greater of the two. Backsliding Israel.--The epithet strikes the keynote of all that follows, and is, as it were, the text of the sermon. The force of the Hebrew is stronger than that of the English, and implies actual "apostasy," being, indeed, a substantive rather than an adjective. Apostasy is, as it were, personified in Israel; she is therenegadesister. She is gone up.--Better,she goes, i.e.,is going continually. Verse 6. - The Lord said also unto me, etc. It has been suggested (see on ver. 1) that this introductory clause belongs rather to ver. 1. Some sort of introduction, however, seems called for; Ewald supposes a shorter form, such as "And the Lord said further unto me." The view is not improbable, for although there is evidently a break between ver. 5 and ver. 6, there are points of contact enough between vers. 1-5 and the following discourse to prove that they represent the same prophetic period (comp. ver. 10 with ver. 3, vers. 8, 9 with ver. 1, ver. 12 with ver. 5, ver. 19 with ver. 4). Backsliding Israel; literally, apostasy Israel. Usually a change or modification of a name is a sign of honor; here, however, it marks the disgrace of the bearer. Israel is apostasy personified (comp. vers. 14, 22). She is gone up; rather, her wont hath been to go up.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Now in the daysבִּימֵי֙(bî·mê)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117:A dayof Kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingJosiah,יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ(yō·šî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2977:Josiah -- 'Yah supports', two Israelitesthe LORDיְהוָ֜ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWHsaidוַיֹּ֨אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, sayto me,אֵלַ֗י(’ê·lay)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to“Have you seenהֲֽרָאִ֔יתָ(hărā·’î·ṯā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seewhatאֲשֶׁ֥ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatfaithlessמְשֻׁבָ֣ה(mə·šu·ḇāh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4878:Turning back, apostasyIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל(yiś·rā·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478:Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his deschas done?עָשְׂתָ֖ה(‘ā·śə·ṯāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeSheהִ֜יא(hî)Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arehas gone upהֹלְכָ֨ה(hō·lə·ḵāh)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againsteveryכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyhighגָּבֹ֗הַּ(gā·ḇō·ah)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1364:Elevated, powerful, arroganthillהַ֣ר(har)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022:Mountain, hill, hill countryand underתַּ֛חַת(ta·ḥaṯ)Preposition
Strong's 8478:The bottom, below, in lieu ofeveryכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everygreenרַעֲנָ֖ן(ra·‘ă·nān)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7488:Verdant, new, prosperoustreeעֵ֥ץ(‘êṣ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086:Tree, trees, woodto prostitute herselfוַתִּזְנִי־(wat·tiz·nî-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2181:To commit adultery, to commit idolatrythere.שָֽׁם׃(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thither
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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 3:6 Moreover Yahweh said to me (Jer.) |
