Jeremiah 6:10To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? Behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can't listen. Behold, the word of Yahweh has become a reproach to them. They have no delight in it.
The setting
Jerusalem, ~605 BC. Jeremiah stands in the temple court, having preached for 20 years. People walk past, covering their ears or mocking. His own hometown wants him dead...
The emotion here: completely exhausted and questioning if his ministry has any point
The original word
arel (עָרֵל) — uncircumcised, unable to hear God's voice due to spiritual blockage
Why it matters
Jeremiah preached for 40+ years with almost no converts - the most unsuccessful prophet in Scripture
Read with care
What most readers miss in Jeremiah 6:10
This is Jeremiah talking to GOD, not to people - he's having a breakdown
Common misconceptionPeople think Jeremiah is complaining about his audience, but he's actually in spiritual crisis, asking God why He called him to such a hopeless task.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Jeremiah 6:10
Bible Genome reading
Jeremiah 6:10 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Jeremiah 6:10 comes from the book of Jeremiah, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Jeremiah. The dominant emotion in this verse is lonely, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include prophetic frustration, spiritual deafness, rejected message. Notable phrases: to whom shall I speak; ear is uncircumcised; word of Yahweh has become reproach. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same lonely
“At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is, being interpreted, "My God, my God, why h…”
— Mark 15:34
“Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."”
— Mark 6:4
“About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?" That is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…”
— Matthew 27:46
“Yahweh God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."”
— Genesis 2:18
“I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.”
— Job 30:29
Your reflection
What does Jeremiah 6:10 mean to you, today?
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