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“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.”
Jeremiah 17:10 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • 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.
  • BSB I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
  • 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 Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
  • Rom 8:27He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
  • Jer 11:20But, Yahweh of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I shall see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.
  • Heb 4:12–13For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
  • Rev 2:23I will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
  • Ps 139:23–24Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
  • Jer 32:19great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
  • Jer 20:12But, Yahweh of Armies, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.
  • 1 Chr 28:9You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
  • Gal 6:7–8Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
  • Matt 16:27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
  • Rev 22:12“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
  • Ps 62:12Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
  • Prov 17:3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
  • Rom 2:6–8who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”
  • 2 Chr 6:30then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men)
  • Isa 3:10–11Tell the righteous “Good!” For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
  • Rev 20:12I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
  • Ps 7:9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
  • John 2:25and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
  • 1 Chr 29:17I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
  • Jer 21:14I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says Yahweh; and I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is around her.’”
  • Rom 6:21What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
  • Mic 7:13Yet the land will be desolate because of those who dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings.
  • Ps 139:1–2For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (4)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Jeremiah videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Jeremiah 17:10YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on JeremiahMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

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.