Jeremiah 4:14
Jeremiah 4:14 in Multiple Translations
Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thine evil thoughts lodge within thee?
O Jerusalem, make your heart clean from evil, so that you may have salvation. How long are evil purposes to have a resting-place in you?
Clean the evil from your heart, Jerusalem, so that you can be saved. How long will you hold onto your evil thoughts?
O Ierusalem, wash thine heart from wickednes, that thou maiest be saued: how long shall thy wicked thoughtes remaine within thee?
Wash from evil thy heart, O Jerusalem, That thou mayest be saved, Till when dost thou lodge in thy heart Thoughts of thy strength?
Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved. How long will your evil thoughts lodge within you?
O Jerusalem, wash thy heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
Wash thy heart from wickedness, O Jerusalem, that thou mayst be saved: how long shall hurtful thoughts abide in thee?
You people of Jerusalem [APO], purify your hearts/inner beings, in order that Yahweh will rescue you. How long will you continue to think about doing evil things?
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 4:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 4:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כַּבְּסִ֨י
מֵ/רָעָ֤ה
לִבֵּ/ךְ֙
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
לְמַ֖עַן
תִּוָּשֵׁ֑עִי
עַד
מָתַ֛י
תָּלִ֥ין
בְּ/קִרְבֵּ֖/ךְ
מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת
אוֹנֵֽ/ךְ
כַּבְּסִ֨י
kâbaç
H3526
to wash
V-Piel-Impv-2fs
מֵ/רָעָ֤ה
raʻ
H7451
bad
Prep | N-fs
לִבֵּ/ךְ֙
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
N-proper
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
because
Prep
תִּוָּשֵׁ֑עִי
yâshaʻ
H3467
to save
V-Niphal-Imperf-2fs
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
מָתַ֛י
mâthay
H4970
how
Part
תָּלִ֥ין
lûwn
H3885
to lodge
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
בְּ/קִרְבֵּ֖/ךְ
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
plot
N-fp
אוֹנֵֽ/ךְ
ʼâven
H205
evil
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 4:14
כַּבְּסִ֨י
kâbaç
H3526
"to wash"
V-Piel-Impv-2fs
To wash means to clean something, often by trampling or stamping on it with the feet, as seen in the process of washing clothes.
Definition: 1) to wash (by treading), be washed, perform the work of a fuller 1a) (Qal) washer, fuller, treader (participle) 1b) (Piel) to wash (garments, person) 1c) (Pual) to be washed 1d) (Hothpael) to be washed out
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: fuller, wash(-ing). See also: Genesis 49:11; Leviticus 15:21; Psalms 51:4.
מֵ/רָעָ֤ה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Prep | N-fs
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
לִבֵּ/ךְ֙
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
"because"
Prep
This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.
Definition: 1) purpose, intent prep 1a) for the sake of 1b) in view of, on account of 1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj 1d) to the end that
Usage: Occurs in 252 OT verses. KJV: because of, to the end (intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), [phrase] lest, that, to. See also: Genesis 12:13; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 5:9.
תִּוָּשֵׁ֑עִי
yâshaʻ
H3467
"to save"
V-Niphal-Imperf-2fs
Means to save or be delivered, used in the Bible to describe being freed from danger or trouble, like in battle or from moral struggles, as seen in the Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 1a2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to save, deliver 1b2) to save from moral troubles 1b3) to give victory to
Usage: Occurs in 198 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory. See also: Exodus 2:17; Psalms 55:17; Psalms 3:8.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
מָתַ֛י
mâthay
H4970
"how"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'when' or 'how long', often used to ask about time or duration, like in Genesis when asking how long a task will take.
Definition: 1) when? 1a) with prep 1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: long, when. See also: Genesis 30:30; Psalms 101:2; Psalms 6:4.
תָּלִ֥ין
lûwn
H3885
"to lodge"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To grumble or complain, this word describes a negative attitude of discontent or murmuring. It is used in the Bible to describe people who are unhappy or stubborn.
Definition: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest, lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). See also: Genesis 19:2; Judges 19:20; Psalms 25:13.
בְּ/קִרְבֵּ֖/ךְ
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
מַחְשְׁב֥וֹת
machăshâbâh
H4284
"plot"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a plan, device, or invention, which can be either good or bad. It appears in places like 2 Chronicles 2:11 and Esther 8:3, where it is used to describe clever ideas or schemes. The word is associated with creativity and problem-solving.
Definition: 1) thought, device 1a) thought 1b) device, plan, purpose 1c) invention
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: cunning (work), curious work, device(-sed), imagination, invented, means, purpose, thought. See also: Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 19:21; Psalms 33:10.
אוֹנֵֽ/ךְ
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 4:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 4:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:14
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
- Sermons on Jeremiah 4:14
Context — Disaster from the North
12a wind too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.”
13Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!
14Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?
15For a voice resounds from Dan, proclaiming disaster from the hills of Ephraim. 16Warn the nations now! Proclaim to Jerusalem: “A besieging army comes from a distant land; they raise their voices against the cities of Judah.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. |
| 2 | Isaiah 55:7 | Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. |
| 3 | Acts 8:22 | Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. |
| 4 | Luke 11:39 | “Now then,” said the Lord, “you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. |
| 5 | Romans 1:21 | For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 3:20 | And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 1:16–19 | Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. |
| 8 | Matthew 12:33 | Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. |
| 9 | Psalms 66:18 | If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. |
| 10 | Proverbs 1:22 | “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? |
Jeremiah 4:14 Summary
[This verse is calling us to cleanse our hearts from sin and evil thoughts, so that we can be saved and have a close relationship with God. This means turning away from wicked thoughts and actions, and seeking to follow God's ways, as taught in Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 15:18-19. By doing so, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing God, as promised in Psalm 119:165 and John 14:27. As we seek to wash the evil from our hearts, we can trust in God's promise to forgive and restore us, as seen in 1 John 1:9 and Jeremiah 31:34.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'wash the evil from your heart' as mentioned in Jeremiah 4:14?
This phrase means to cleanse ourselves from sinful thoughts and actions, as God commands in Psalm 51:10, and to seek a pure heart, which is essential for salvation, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:8.
Why is Jerusalem being asked to wash the evil from its heart in Jeremiah 4:14?
Jerusalem is being called to repentance because of its wicked thoughts and actions, which have led to God's judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 4:13, and the only way for the city to be saved is to turn away from sin and towards God, as promised in Ezekiel 18:31-32.
How can we 'harbor wicked thoughts' as mentioned in Jeremiah 4:14?
We harbor wicked thoughts when we allow sinful ideas and desires to take root in our minds, rather than rejecting them and replacing them with godly thoughts, as taught in Philippians 4:8 and 2 Corinthians 10:5.
What is the consequence of not washing the evil from our hearts, according to Jeremiah 4:14?
If we do not cleanse our hearts from evil, we will not be saved, and will instead face God's judgment, as warned in Jeremiah 4:13 and Revelation 21:8, but if we repent and turn to God, we can receive forgiveness and salvation, as promised in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some evil thoughts or actions that I need to wash from my heart today?
- How can I practically apply the command to 'wash the evil from my heart' in my daily life?
- What are some ways that I can 'harbor wicked thoughts' without even realizing it, and how can I guard against this?
- What does it mean for me to be 'saved' as mentioned in Jeremiah 4:14, and how can I experience this salvation in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness,.... These are the words of the prophet, or of God by the prophet, showing the cause of all their ruin and destruction, the wickedness of their hearts;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee? Wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash thine heart; cleanse your inward parts, O ye men of Jerusalem; not your hands only, as hypocrites do, but your hearts, . The same exhortation with ,4, only in another metaphor of washing, which seems to be taken from such potions first physicians give to clear away the inward parts from noxious humours. See ,17. From wickedness; viz. from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, . That thou mayest be saved: this hath reference in this place to temporal salvation; it is prescribed as a means to prevent the judgments that are impending on them, as is plainly expressed, , yet not exclusive of spiritual salvation, . Vain thoughts; wicked thoughts, or rather hopes or expectation from any helps, ,37; pleasing thyself with vain fancies of safety and security, which thoughts of thine will assuredly bring ruin and misery upon thee, which is inevitably coming, as in the next verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?Ver. 14. O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness.] Which defileth it worse than any leprosy, or jakes, doth the body. Thy hands thou often washest, and other outward parts, placing therein no small religion, thou canst not wash them in innocence; wash them therefore in tears, and when thou hast so done, cry to God with Augustine, Lava lachrymas meas Domine: ipsae enim lachrymae sunt lachrymabiles; Wash my very tears, Lord, for they are lamentable ones. Beg of him to bathe thy soul in the blood of his Son, to wash thee thoroughly from thine iniquity, and to cleanse thee from thy sin. That thou mayest be saved,] i.e., Have safety here, and salvation hereafter. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?] Heb., In the midst of thee, in the very heart of thee. Creep in they will, but why should they lodge there? why should the devil be at inn with us? be any man’ s bedfellow, as he is the angry man’ s? David oft "communed with his own heart, and his spirit made diligent search" for such vagrants. Scopabam spiritum meum, so some render it, I swept out my spirit.
Carnal hearts are stews of unclean thoughts, slaughter houses of cruel and bloody thoughts, exchanges and shops of vain and vile thoughts, a very forge and mint of false political undermining thoughts, yea, oft a little hell of confused and black imaginations. They had need therefore to be carefully cleansed, and kept with all custody. Grace beginneth at the centre, and from thence goeth to the circumference. God and nature begin at the heart; art begins with the face and outward lineaments; so doth hypocrisy at outward paintings and expressions; it cleanseth the outside of the cup and platter, when the inside is full of ravening and wickedness. Frustra sunt lavamenta, ubi nulla est innocentia. - Oecol. Hic mora cogitationis redarguitur et eius adlubescentia. - Oecol. Vulgate.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
(14) O Jerusalem.—The prophet’s answer to the cry that comes from the city. In that “washing of the heart” which had seemed impossible before (Jeremiah 2:22), but is thought of now as “possible with God,” is the one hope of salvation. (Comp. Isaiah 1:16.) Vain thoughts.—The Hebrew has a force which the English does not reproduce, thoughts of vanity, thoughts of aven, i.e., of the word which had been specially applied, as in Beth-aven for Beth-el (the “house of vanity” for the “house of God”) to the idols which Israel and Judah worshipped (Hosea 4:15; Hosea 10:5; Amos 5:5).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
Verse 14. O Jerusalem, wash thine heart] Why do ye not put away your wickedness, that ye may be saved from these tremendous judgments? How long shall thy vain thoughts of safety and prosperity lodge within thee? Whilst thou continuest a rebel against God, and provokest him daily by thy abominations!
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 4:14
14. How long, etc.] Cp. Hosea 8:5.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 4:14
Thy vain thoughts - “Thy” iniquitous “thoughts.” “Aven,” the word used here, is especially applied to the sin of idolatry: thus Bethel is generally called Bethaven by Hosea (Hosea 4:15; Hosea 5:8,
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 4:14
14. O Jerusalem, wash thine heart — Again does the prophet pause, but this time it is not to remonstrate with God, but to plead with man.
Sermons on Jeremiah 4:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Renewal of the Mind and Thoughts by Al Whittinghill | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of renewing our minds and washing our hearts from wickedness. He references Jeremiah chapter 4, verse 14, where God calls upo |
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Rev. 6:10. How Long? by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar explores the profound question 'How long?' as expressed in Revelation 6:10, emphasizing its significance in human experience and divine communication. He categorizes |
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Bible Survey - Jeremiah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond delivers a powerful sermon based on the message of Jeremiah, emphasizing the consequences of backsliding and the importance of repentance for restoration. The sermon |
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A Craving for the Presence - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying o |
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A Man of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on a 70-year journey of faith, witnessing various church tragedies and worldly events, yet remaining steadfast by looking up to Jesus, reading the Word, and fo |
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |