And they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them.”’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that forsaking God's covenant wasn't just a passive act of neglect; it was an active choice to "worship other gods and serve them." This reveals that the core issue wasn't a lack of understanding, but a deliberate redirection of allegiance and devotion away from the true God towards others.
And they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them.”’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Jeremiah has just delivered a message to the king and his officials about the judgment coming upon Judah due to their wickedness. This verse is the explanation that will be given for why this destruction is happening – it's because they have abandoned their covenant with God, turned to worship other gods, and served them instead. This broken covenant and idolatry is presented as the root cause of their impending downfall.
Why would a nation, blessed by God, fall into destruction? The answer is laid bare in this verse.
Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, reminding them of the special relationship they have with God – their covenant. This wasn't just a religious agreement; it was the foundation of their national identity and security.
When the verse says they "forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God," it means they turned their backs on God's laws, His promises, and their commitment to Him. This wasn't a small slip-up; it was a fundamental betrayal of their unique calling.
The consequence? Destruction. The commentary highlights that God "destroys neither persons, cities, nor nations, except for sin." This verse makes it clear that breaking the covenant isn't a minor offense but a direct cause for severe judgment.
It wasn't just about breaking a rule; it was about embracing a lie. What's the danger in worshipping 'other gods'?
The verse doesn't just say they forsook God; it specifies how: "...and worshiped other gods and served them."
This wasn't about some abstract theological disagreement. 'Other gods' represented a fundamental rejection of the One True God who had chosen them, delivered them, and made promises to them. These idols offered false promises of security, prosperity, or power, but ultimately led to ruin.
The commentaries point out that these weren't even true gods – they were "vanities of the Gentiles." Yet, the people were so blinded by their desires or traditions that they abandoned the source of all true blessing for empty, destructive substitutes. Serving these 'other gods' meant dedicating their allegiance, their resources, and their lives to something that ultimately offered nothing but destruction.
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Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by divine requirements of obedience and promises of blessing for faithfulness or curses for rebellion.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To abandon, reject, or leave behind; in a biblical context, it denotes a willful turning away from one's relationship with God or obligations toward Him.
elohim acherim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
False deities or idols that occupy the place in the human heart that belongs solely to the Creator; their worship is strictly prohibited in the biblical law.
This verse explains the ultimate reason for Judah's impending destruction and exile: a deep-seated abandonment of their covenant with God in favor of idolatry. The historical context highlights a pattern of repeated unfaithfulness, despite God's patient warnings and even brief periods of reform.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the assimilation of the land with foreign peoples. This event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah discovers a scroll of the Law in the Temple and initiates a religious reformation, attempting to purge Judah of idolatry and centralize worship in Jerusalem. This was a brief period of renewed covenant faithfulness.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports a first group of Judeans, including young nobles like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's decline towards complete destruction.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
After a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. Judah's sovereignty is further diminished.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, bringing the Southern Kingdom of Judah to an end. The majority of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Decree and Return from Exile
The Persian king Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the restoration period.
This passage explains that forsaking God's covenant leads to worship of other gods and subsequent judgment, directly mirroring the reason given in Jeremiah 22:9.
Joshua 24:20Joshua warns the Israelites that if they forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and do them harm and consume them, echoing the theme of covenant-breaking and its consequences.
Nehemiah 9:26This passage recounts Israel's repeated disobedience, stating they cast God's law behind their backs and worshiped idols, illustrating the historical pattern of forsaking the covenant.
Psalm 78:57-58The psalmist describes how the people of Israel turned away from God and provoked Him to anger by worshiping idols, providing a poetic parallel to the sin detailed in Jeremiah.
Romans 1:25Paul states that people exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped created things rather than the Creator, showing how this spiritual unfaithfulness is a timeless human tendency.
henryJeremiah 22:1-9: "Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,"
22:1-9 The king of Judah is spoken to, as sitting upon the throne of David, the man after God's own heart. Let him follow his example, that he may have the benefit of the promises made to him. The way to preserve a government, is to do the duty of it. But sin will be the ruin of the houses of princes, as well as of meaner men. And who can contend with destroyers of God's preparing? God…
pooleJeremiah 22:9: "Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them."
Some shall answer them, or they shall answer one another, Surely it is because they have broken the Divine law, which the Israelites made a covenant, Exodus 19:8 24:3,7 Deu 5:27 , upon which account their sinning was an apostacy, and a forsaking their covenant. Their sinning was not of an ordinary nature, but by idolatry, worshipping images and idol…
The verse highlights that forsaking God's covenant wasn't just a passive act of neglect; it was an active choice to "worship other gods and serve them." This reveals that the core issue wasn't a lack of understanding, but a deliberate redirection of allegiance and devotion away from the true God towards others.
The prophet Jeremiah has just delivered a message to the king and his officials about the judgment coming upon Judah due to their wickedness. This verse is the explanation that will be given for why this destruction is happening – it's because they have abandoned their covenant with God, turned to worship other gods, and served them instead. This broken covenant and idolatry is presented as the root cause of their impending downfall.
The prophet Jeremiah has just delivered a message to the king and his officials about the judgment coming upon Judah due to their wickedness. This verse is the explanation that will be given for why this destruction is happening – it's because they have abandoned their covenant with God, turned to worship other gods, and served them instead. This broken covenant and idolatry is presented as the root cause of their impending downfall.
"And they will answer, “Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God and worshiped other gods and served them.”’”" — The verse highlights that forsaking God's covenant wasn't just a passive act of neglect; it was an active choice to "worship other gods and serve them." This reveals that the core issue wasn't a lack…
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Last reviewed October 2026