Jeremiah 6:28-30
They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on, for the wicked are not removed. Rejected silver they are called, for the LORD has rejected them.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "rebels of rebels" isn't just a strong statement; it's a Hebraic way to say they were the absolute worst kind of rebels, exceeding all others in their defiance. This isn't just passive resistance; "going about with slanders" paints a picture of active, restless gossip and lies, like merchants peddling their harmful wares from place to place.
Jeremiah is confronting a people who have deeply and stubbornly turned away from God, becoming hardened and corrupt like base metals. This verse highlights their persistent rebellion and their habit of spreading malicious gossip and lies against others. Following this, Jeremiah will use the imagery of a failed metal refiner to show how futile all attempts to purify them have become, leading to their inevitable rejection.
Jeremiah doesn't just call them rebellious; he uses a phrase that means 'rebels of rebels.' What does this intense wording tell us about their spiritual state?
The Hebrew phrase for 'stubbornly rebellious' is a superlative, meaning they were the worst kind of rebels.
The verse mentions they are 'going about with slanders.' What does this look like in real life, and why is it so destructive?
The phrase 'going about with slanders' paints a picture of people who are actively and eagerly spreading lies and rumors.
Jeremiah compares his people to 'bronze and iron.' What does this imagery of common metals reveal about their spiritual condition?
Understand the original words
sarah sarim · Hebrew Adjective/Verb phrase
A character trait describing those who intentionally and persistently set themselves against God's law and authority, marked by an unyielding heart.
rakil · Hebrew Noun
False speech or malicious reports intended to damage the reputation of others; it is condemned in Scripture as a violation of love for one's neighbor.
mashchit · Hebrew Verb
To act in a way that is depraved, morally rotten, or spoiled; it signifies a departure from the standard of righteousness God has established.
tsaraph · Hebrew Verb
The process of purging impurities from metal through fire; biblically, it serves as a metaphor for how God purifies His people through trials, though here it highlights the stubbornness of the people's sin.
This verse paints a grim picture of a people so deeply entrenched in sin that they've become like base metals, unfixable and corrupt. Jeremiah's message comes in the shadow of the destruction of Jerusalem, a stark consequence of this deep-seated rebellion and corruption that even prophetic warnings couldn't purify.
Late 8th century BC
Isaiah's Ministry and Warning
The prophet Isaiah spoke out against the corruption and rebellion of Judah, using imagery of impure metals to describe the nation's spiritual state.
c. 627-586 BC
Jeremiah's Prophetic Ministry
Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, warning of impending judgment due to the people's widespread sin and disobedience.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
As part of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest, elite Judeans, including Daniel, were taken captive to Babylon, a significant sign of God's judgment beginning to fall.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, were deported to Babylon, intensifying the consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion.
This passage uses similar imagery of metals like copper, iron, tin, and lead to describe a nation that has become corrupt and debased, mirroring Jeremiah's description of the people as 'bronze and iron'.
Proverbs 11:13This verse highlights the danger of a gossip or slanderer who 'goes about spreading slander,' directly reflecting Jeremiah's charge that the people are 'going about with slanders'.
Isaiah 1:22Isaiah similarly describes Jerusalem as having 'turned into a harlot' from 'faithful city' to one full of 'murderers,' using the metaphor of silver mixed with dross, which aligns with Jeremiah's 'bronze and iron' to show deep corruption.
Jeremiah 9:4Jeremiah directly addresses the people's deceitful tongues and their willingness to speak slander, showing a consistent theme throughout his prophecy about the destructive nature of their words.
Romans 3:13Paul echoes the theme of destructive speech by describing the unrighteous as having 'throats open tombs, with their tongues they do deceit,' underscoring the pervasive corruption in their speech and character.
pulpitJeremiah 6:28: "They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters."
Verse 28. - Grievous revolters; literally, rebels of rebels. Walking; rather, going about, as a peddler with his wares (so Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 20:19; Leviticus 19:16). Jeremiah had good reason to specify this characteristic of his enemies (see Jeremiah 18:18). Brass and Iron; rather, copper and iron, in short, base metal,
ellicottJeremiah 6:28: "They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters."
(28) Grievous revolters . . . —Literally, rebels of rebels, as a Hebraism for the worst type of rebellion. Walking with slanders.—The phrase was a common one (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 20:19), and pointed to the restless eagerness of the tale-bearer to spread his falsehoods. (Comp. 1Timothy 5:13, “wandering about . . . idle tattlers.”) Brass and iron.—Base m…
The phrase "rebels of rebels" isn't just a strong statement; it's a Hebraic way to say they were the absolute worst kind of rebels, exceeding all others in their defiance. This isn't just passive resistance; "going about with slanders" paints a picture of active, restless gossip and lies, like merchants peddling their harmful wares from place to place.
Jeremiah is confronting a people who have deeply and stubbornly turned away from God, becoming hardened and corrupt like base metals. This verse highlights their persistent rebellion and their habit of spreading malicious gossip and lies against others. Following this, Jeremiah will use the imagery of a failed metal refiner to show how futile all attempts to purify them have become, leading to their inevitable rejection.
Jeremiah is confronting a people who have deeply and stubbornly turned away from God, becoming hardened and corrupt like base metals. This verse highlights their persistent rebellion and their habit of spreading malicious gossip and lies against others. Following this, Jeremiah will use the imagery of a failed metal refiner to show how futile all attempts to purify them have become, leading to their inevitable rejection.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 6:28-30 is available in the Sola app.
Comparing the people to 'bronze and iron' is a powerful metaphor for their inner character and spiritual state.
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who have forsaken God's ways and live in active disobedience; they are characterized by a heart that refuses to fear God or keep His commandments.
ma'as · Hebrew Verb
To be declared unworthy or discarded by God, usually following a period of sustained rebellion; it represents a loss of divine favor and fellowship.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, marking the devastating climax of God's judgment on Judah for their unfaithfulness.
"They are all stubbornly rebellious, going about with slanders; they are bronze and iron; all of them act corruptly. The bellows blow fiercely; the lead is consumed by the fire; in vain the refining goes on,…" — The phrase "rebels of rebels" isn't just a strong statement; it's a Hebraic way to say they were the absolute worst kind of rebels, exceeding all others in their defiance. This isn't just passive res…
