Jeremiah 9:7
New International Version
Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?

New Living Translation
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: “See, I will melt them down in a crucible and test them like metal. What else can I do with my people?

English Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people?

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

King James Bible
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

New King James Version
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and try them; For how shall I deal with the daughter of My people?

New American Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of armies says: “Behold, I will refine them and put them to the test; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?

NASB 1995
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, I will refine them and assay them; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?

NASB 1977
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, I will refine them and assay them; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts, “Behold, I will refine them and test them; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?

Amplified Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, I will refine them [through suffering] and test them; For how else should I deal with the daughter of My people?

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says: I am about to refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of my dear people?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I am about to refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of My dear people?

American Standard Version
Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people?

Contemporary English Version
And so I will purify the hearts of my people just as gold is purified in a furnace. I have no other choice.

English Revised Version
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how else should I do, because of the daughter of my people?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD of Armies says: I will now refine them with fire and test them. What else can I do for my dear people?

Good News Translation
Because of this the LORD Almighty says, "I will refine my people like metal and put them to the test. My people have done evil--what else can I do with them?

International Standard Version
Therefore, this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "Look, I'm about to refine and test them. Because they're my people, what else can I do?

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ?Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

NET Bible
Therefore the LORD who rules over all says, "I will now purify them in the fires of affliction and test them. The wickedness of my dear people has left me no choice. What else can I do?

New Heart English Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, "Look, I will melt them, and try them; for how should I deal with the wickedness of the daughter of my people?

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

World English Bible
Therefore Yahweh of Armies says, “Behold, I will melt them and test them; for how should I deal with the daughter of my people?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Therefore, thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Behold, I am refining them, and have tried them, "" For how do I deal with the daughter of My people?

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore, thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Lo, I am refining them, and have tried them, For how do I do because of the daughter of My people?

Smith's Literal Translation
For this, thus said Jehovah of armies, Behold me melting them, and I tried them; for how shall I do for the face of the daughter of my people?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts: Behold I will melt, and try them: for what else shall I do before the daughter of my people?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them, and I will test them. For what else can I do before the face of the daughter of my people?

New American Bible
Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: I will refine them and test them; how else should I deal with the daughter of my people?

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: I will now refine and test them, for what else can I do with my sinful people?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will refine them and try them; for what else shall I do because of the daughter of my people?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: “Behold, I refine them and prove them, for how shall I do before the daughter of my people?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will smelt them, and try them; For how else should I do, Because of the daughter of My people?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will try them with fire, and prove them; for I will do thus because of the wickedness of the daughter of my people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament over Zion
6You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD. 7Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? 8Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.…

Cross References
Malachi 3:2-3
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials / so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Isaiah 1:25
I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Daniel 11:35
Some of the wise will fall so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Isaiah 48:9-11
For the sake of My name I will delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I will restrain it, so that you will not be cut off. / See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. / For My own sake, My very own sake, I will act; for how can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.

Ezekiel 22:18-22
“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...

Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. / No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

Zephaniah 3:8-9
Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation—all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy. / For then I will restore pure lips to the peoples, that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore thus said the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

I will.

Jeremiah 6:29,30
The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away…

Isaiah 1:25
And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

Isaiah 48:10
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

shall.

Jeremiah 31:20
Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

2 Chronicles 36:15
And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

Hosea 6:4,5
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away…

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Jeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;
9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.














Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme command over the heavenly armies and all creation. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. "Hosts" translates from "Tsebaoth," indicating His authority over angelic beings and the cosmos. This title reassures believers of God's omnipotence and His ability to execute His will. Historically, this title is used to remind Israel of God's power and His role as a divine warrior who fights for His people.

Behold, I will refine them and test them
The word "refine" comes from the Hebrew "tsaraph," which means to purify or melt down, often used in the context of purifying metals. This imagery suggests a process of purification through trials, where impurities are removed to reveal something pure and valuable. "Test" is from "bachan," meaning to examine or prove. This indicates a process of evaluation to reveal true character and faith. In a spiritual context, this refining and testing are seen as God's way of sanctifying His people, drawing them closer to holiness and dependence on Him. Historically, this reflects the trials Israel faced, intended to bring them back to covenant faithfulness.

for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?
The phrase "daughter of My people" is a term of endearment, reflecting God's deep, paternal love for Israel. It underscores the relationship between God and His chosen people, akin to a father and his child. The rhetorical question "for what else can I do" highlights God's reluctance to bring judgment, emphasizing His desire for repentance and restoration rather than punishment. This reflects the historical context of Jeremiah's time, where God, through the prophet, repeatedly called Israel to repentance amidst their persistent disobedience. It serves as a reminder of God's patience and His ultimate goal of redemption for His people.

(7) I will melt them, and try them.--The prophet, speaking in the name of Jehovah, falls back upon the imagery of Jeremiah 6:28-30; Isaiah 48:10. The evil has come to such a pass that nothing is left but the melting of the fiery furnace of affliction. How else could He act for the daughter of His people? The phrase throws us back upon Jeremiah 8:21-22. The balm of Gilead had proved ineffectual. The disease required a severer remedy.

Verse 7. - I will melt them. It is the same word as that used in Malachi 3:3 of the "refiner and purifier of silver." Purification, not destruction, is the object of the judgment which is threatened! Strange that mercy should find place, after the offence of the criminal has been found so grievous l But, lest we should expect too favorable an issue, the prophet adds, in the name of Jehovah, For how shall I do? or rather, How should I act? How otherwise should I act? The continuation is a little doubtful. The Hebrew has," by reason of the daughter of my people;" but this can hardly be right. We naturally expect something to justify the preceding statement. The reading of the Septuagint answers to our anticipations by rendering ἀπὸ προσώπου πονηρίας θυγατρὸς λαοῦ μου, and this is confirmed by the parallel passage Jeremiah 7:12 (comp. Jeremiah 11:17; Jeremiah 32:32).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore,
לָכֵ֗ן (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

this is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Behold,
הִנְנִ֥י (hin·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

I will refine
צוֹרְפָ֖ם (ṣō·wr·p̄ām)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test

and test them,
וּבְחַנְתִּ֑ים (ū·ḇə·ḥan·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

what
אֵ֣יךְ (’êḵ)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

else can I do
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה (’e·‘ĕ·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

because of
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of My people?
עַמִּֽי׃ (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:7 Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies Behold (Jer.)
Jeremiah 9:6
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