I have appointed you to examine My people like oreJeremiah is given a divine commission to act as an assayer, someone who tests and evaluates the quality of metals. This metaphor indicates the seriousness of his prophetic role. In ancient times, ore was tested to determine its purity and value, reflecting the spiritual examination God requires of His people. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages where God tests the hearts of His people, such as in
Psalm 26:2 and
Malachi 3:2-3, where God is described as a refiner and purifier. The appointment signifies God's sovereign choice and authority over Jeremiah's mission, emphasizing the prophet's role in discerning the true spiritual state of Israel.
so you may know and try their ways
The purpose of Jeremiah's examination is to gain understanding and discernment of the people's conduct and character. "Know" implies a deep, intimate understanding, while "try" suggests testing or proving, akin to refining metals. This reflects the biblical theme of God knowing the hearts of individuals, as seen in1 Samuel 16:7 andHebrews 4:12-13. The phrase underscores the importance of not just outward religious observance but the inner moral and spiritual condition. The people's "ways" refer to their behaviors, choices, and lifestyle, which are to be scrutinized against God's standards. This examination is not merely for judgment but also for the possibility of repentance and restoration, aligning with the broader prophetic call to return to God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by deep personal struggle and unwavering commitment to God's call.
2.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.
3.
GodThe sovereign Lord who appoints Jeremiah as a tester of His people, illustrating His desire for them to return to righteousness.
4.
OreA metaphor used to describe the people of Judah, indicating that they are to be tested and refined, much like metal is purified.
5.
TestingThe process by which God examines the hearts and actions of His people, akin to refining metal to remove impurities.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign AppointmentGod appoints individuals for specific purposes, as He did with Jeremiah. Recognize and embrace the roles God has given you in His kingdom.
The Purpose of TestingTesting is not meant to destroy but to purify and strengthen. Embrace trials as opportunities for growth and refinement in your faith.
The Call to ExamineLike Jeremiah, we are called to examine our own lives and the lives of others with discernment, seeking to understand and align with God's ways.
The Importance of RepentanceThe testing of Judah was a call to repentance. Regularly evaluate your life and turn away from anything that separates you from God.
The Role of Scripture in TestingUse Scripture as a tool to test and refine your thoughts and actions, ensuring they align with God's truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Jeremiah 6:27?
2.How does Jeremiah 6:27 guide us in discerning truth in today's world?
3.What role does a "tester of metals" play in spiritual growth?
4.How can we apply Jeremiah's role to our personal spiritual responsibilities?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Jeremiah 6:27 and New Testament teachings on discernment?
6.How can we implement the principles of Jeremiah 6:27 in our daily lives?
7.What does Jeremiah 6:27 reveal about God's expectations for His people?
8.How does Jeremiah 6:27 challenge our understanding of divine judgment?
9.What historical context is essential to fully grasp Jeremiah 6:27?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6?
11.Is there a second chance for salvation?
12.What occurs to the wicked upon their death?
13.Why does the message in Jeremiah 6:26-30 emphasize complete destruction when other prophetic texts suggest partial judgment, possibly indicating an inconsistency in prophetic outlooks?
14.Why does the text in Jeremiah 27 emphasize obedience to Babylon's rule if rabbinic and later Christian teachings stress allegiance to God above earthly powers?What Does Jeremiah 6:27 Mean
I have appointed you• The verse opens with the Lord’s personal initiative: “I have appointed you.” Jeremiah did not volunteer; God chose and commissioned him (Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I set you apart”).
• This divine appointment underscores accountability. As with Ezekiel’s watchman calling (Ezekiel 3:17) and Paul’s ministry trust (1 Timothy 1:12), the servant acts under orders, not opinions.
• The certainty of God’s appointment assures Jeremiah—and us—that the task is backed by divine authority, reinforcingRomans 11:29, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.”
to examine My people• God’s own covenant people are the focus, not foreign nations first. The prophetic lens turns inward (1 Peter 4:17, “Judgment must begin with the household of God”).
• “Examine” carries the idea of close, searching inspection. Similar prophetic mandates appear inIsaiah 1:3-4 andHosea 6:4-7, where Israel’s spiritual condition is laid bare.
• The intent is restorative, parallelingPsalm 26:2, “Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.”
like ore• The simile shifts to metallurgy: raw ore is heated so dross surfaces and pure metal emerges (Proverbs 17:3, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts”).
•Malachi 3:3 pictures the Lord “as a refiner and purifier of silver,” underscoring that refining is painful yet purposeful.
•Zechariah 13:9 shows the end goal: a refined remnant that can truthfully say, “The LORD is my God.”
so you may know• Knowledge here is experiential, not theoretical. Jeremiah must see firsthand whether Israel’s repentance is genuine (Jeremiah 5:1, “Roam the streets… see if you can find one person who acts justly”).
• True knowledge leads to brokenhearted intercession (Jeremiah 9:1) and bold proclamation (Jeremiah 20:9).
•John 8:32 affirms the liberating power of truth once known: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
and try their ways• “Try” implies repeated testing until character is revealed, echoingJob 23:10, “When He has tried me, I will come forth as gold.”
• The phrase highlights conduct (“their ways”) rather than claims, matchingJames 1:22’s call to be “doers of the word.”
• First Peter 1:7 shows the New-Testament continuity: faith tested by fire results in praise, glory, and honor when Christ is revealed.
summaryJeremiah 6:27 pictures the prophet as God’s divinely appointed metallurgist, heating Israel’s ore to expose impurities. The verse reminds believers that:
• God Himself assigns the task of confronting sin within His own people.
• Examination is thorough, motivated by love, and aimed at restoration.
• Testing—though uncomfortable—separates dross from true faith, leading to deeper knowledge of God and purified conduct.
(27)
I have set thee . . .--The verse is difficult, as containing words in the Hebrew which are not found elsewhere, and have therefore to be guessed at. The following rendering is given on the authority of the most recent commentators, and has the merit of being in harmony with the metallurgic imagery of the following verses.
As a prover of ore I have set thee among my people, and thou shalt know and try their way.The words are spoken by Jehovah to the prophet, and describe his work. By others, the first part of the sentence is rendered as follows:
As a prover of ore I have set thee like a fortress,as if with a reference to
Jeremiah 1:18, where the same word is used.
Verse 27. -
I have set thee, etc.; literally,
as an assayer have I set thee among my people,
a fortress. Various attempts have been made to avoid giving the last word its natural rendering, "a fortress." Ewald, for instance, would alter the points, and render "a separator [of metals]," thus making the word synonymous with that translated "an assayer;" but this is against Hebrew usage. Hitzig, assuming a doubtful interpretation of
Job 22:24, renders "... among my people without gold,"
i.
e. "without there being any gold there for thee to essay" (a very awkward form of expression). These are the two most plausible views, and yet neither of them is satisfactory. Nothing remains but the very simple conjecture, supported by not a few similar phenomena, that
mibhcar, a fortress, has been inserted by mistake from the margin, where an early glossator had written the word, to remind of the parallel passage (
Jeremiah 1:18, "I have made thee this day a fortress-city," '
it mibhcar). In this and the following verses metallurgic phraseology is employed with a moral application (comp.
Isaiah 1:22, 25).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
I have appointed youנְתַתִּ֥יךָ(nə·ṯat·tî·ḵā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, seta tester of metalsבָּח֛וֹן(bā·ḥō·wn)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 969:An assayer, metalsamong My people,בְעַמִּ֖י(ḇə·‘am·mî)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockso you may knowוְתֵדַ֕ע(wə·ṯê·ḏa‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045:To knowand tryוּבָחַנְתָּ֖(ū·ḇā·ḥan·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 974:To test, to investigatetheir ways.דַּרְכָּֽם׃(dar·kām)Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action
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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:27 I have made you a tester (Jer.) 
