I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
Parallel translations
- WEB “I, Yahweh, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
- KJV I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
- NKJV I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
- NASB “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, To give to each person according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.
- NLT But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God searches the mind and heart and repays each person according to how he actually lives. Outward appearances cannot deceive him.
Overview
Following the contrast between the deceitful heart and the man who trusts the Lord, this verse grounds Jeremiah's message in God's perfect knowledge: he tests inner motives, not just visible deeds. This is both warning and comfort, for nothing is hidden from him. The New Testament applies this to Christ, who searches hearts and rewards according to works (Revelation 2:23).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 25
- 1 Sam 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
- Rom 8:27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
- Jer 11:20O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
- Heb 4:12–13For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Rev 2:23Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
- Ps 139:23–24Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
- Jer 32:19the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
- Jer 20:12O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.
- 1 Chr 28:9As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Gal 6:7–8Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- Matt 16:27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
- Rev 22:12“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
- Ps 62:12and loving devotion to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds.
- Prov 17:3A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
- Rom 2:6–8God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
- 2 Chr 6:30be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of men—
- Isa 3:10–11Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
- Rev 20:12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.
- Ps 7:9Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
- John 2:25He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.
- 1 Chr 29:17I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.
- Jer 21:14I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”
- Rom 6:21What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.
- Mic 7:13Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.
- Ps 139:1–2For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Against the failure of false shepherds Jeremiah promises the Righteous Branch, 'The LORD our righteousness,' and the new covenant written on the heart and sealed in the blood of Christ.
How Jeremiah 17:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.