For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly treacherous to me, declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's accusation here isn't just about what they did, but how they did it: "utterly treacherous" highlights the shocking depth and pervasiveness of their betrayal. It wasn't a minor slip-up, but a profound, widespread unfaithfulness that broke their covenant with Him.
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly treacherous to me, declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is explaining to Jeremiah why he must command the Chaldean army to attack Jerusalem. The people of Israel and Judah, both north and south kingdoms, have been completely unfaithful, breaking their covenant promises to God with widespread deception and betrayal. This profound treachery is the reason for the impending judgment, even though God will set limits on the destruction.
When we think of Israel's failures, we often focus on one part. But God's accusation here is much broader.
Jeremiah 5:11 speaks to both the 'house of Israel' (typically the northern ten tribes) and the 'house of Judah' (the southern two tribes). This isn't just about one failing kingdom; it's a charge against the entire people of God at that time. Even though the northern kingdom had already been largely exiled, their spiritual descendants and the sins they represented were still relevant. God's disappointment wasn't limited to one region or political entity but encompassed His covenant people as a whole. This highlights how sin can permeate an entire community, making a comprehensive call to repentance necessary.
What does it truly mean to be 'treacherous' towards God? It's more than just breaking rules; it's a betrayal of trust.
The word used for 'treacherously' here speaks of profound perfidy, faithlessness, and betrayal. It implies a deep breach of loyalty and covenant. Imagine a spouse who is 'treacherous' – it's a profound violation of trust and commitment. God uses this strong language because Israel and Judah had entered into a solemn covenant relationship with Him. They had pledged allegiance, and in return, God had promised protection and blessing. Their actions, however, demonstrated a complete disregard for this sacred bond. They acted as if God's promises meant nothing and His presence was to be ignored, essentially spitting in the face of their loving God.
Understand the original words
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Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant community of God, descended from Jacob, set apart as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to reflect God’s character and receive His promises.
bagad · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of being unfaithful, deceitful, or acting as a traitor, particularly in the context of a covenant relationship; it implies breaking trust and acting faithlessly against a superior or partner.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant-keeping name of God, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithful relationship with His people.
The verse condemns both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah for their deep-seated unfaithfulness, highlighting a long history of covenant betrayal that ultimately led to exile.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The northern Kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes) is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, and many of its people are exiled. This marks a significant breach in the covenant relationship for the northern kingdom.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's Reforms End
King Josiah, a rare reformer, is killed in battle at Megiddo. His death plunges Judah back into political instability and a return to idolatrous practices, further straining their relationship with God.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a significant portion of the elite, including young men like Daniel. This event signals the rising threat of Babylon and the consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Second Babylonian Deportation
Jerusalem is besieged again, and King Jehoiachin along with thousands more are exiled to Babylon. This further emphasizes the severity of Judah's treachery and the impending judgment.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Babylonians finally destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This is the ultimate consequence of Judah's persistent betrayal of God's covenant.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's lament, highlighting how both the priests and the people have profaned what is holy and dealt deceitfully, mirroring the treachery against God.
Hosea 6:7Here, God laments that 'like Adam they have transgressed the covenant,' pointing to a foundational betrayal and treachery against God's agreement, much like the persistent perfidy of Israel and Judah.
Psalm 78:57This psalm describes Israel as acting 'faithlessly' like their ancestors, showing that the treachery mentioned in Jeremiah is a recurring theme of rebellion against God throughout Israel's history.
Jeremiah 3:20This verse directly parallels Jeremiah 5:11, accusing 'the house of Israel' of 'treacherously dealing' with God, reinforcing the severe and historical nature of their unfaithfulness.
pooleJeremiah 5:11: "For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD."
Whether Israel be put here for the ten tribes, and Judah for the two, as often they are, Jeremiah 2:4 , and sundry other places; or rather, whether Judah here be only explicative, and the word meant of the two tribes only, read thus, the house of Israel, even the house of Judah, is not much material. Have dealt very treacherously; have apostatized and dealt perfidiously beyo…
gillJeremiah 5:11: "For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD."
For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me,.... This is a reason why such orders are given to the army of the Chaldeans to ascend the walls of Jerusalem and destroy them; namely, the perfidy both of the ten tribes, signified by the house of Israel; so Abarbinel; and of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, signified by the house o…
God's accusation here isn't just about what they did, but how they did it: "utterly treacherous" highlights the shocking depth and pervasiveness of their betrayal. It wasn't a minor slip-up, but a profound, widespread unfaithfulness that broke their covenant with Him.
God is explaining to Jeremiah why he must command the Chaldean army to attack Jerusalem. The people of Israel and Judah, both north and south kingdoms, have been completely unfaithful, breaking their covenant promises to God with widespread deception and betrayal. This profound treachery is the reason for the impending judgment, even though God will set limits on the destruction.
God is explaining to Jeremiah why he must command the Chaldean army to attack Jerusalem. The people of Israel and Judah, both north and south kingdoms, have been completely unfaithful, breaking their covenant promises to God with widespread deception and betrayal. This profound treachery is the reason for the impending judgment, even though God will set limits on the destruction.
"For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly treacherous to me, declares the LORD." — God's accusation here isn't just about what they did, but how they did it: "utterly treacherous" highlights the shocking depth and pervasiveness of their betrayal. It wasn't a minor slip-up, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026