Jeremiah 8:12
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
Study Note
Study Note
The devastating diagnosis — 'they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush' — describes a community so habituated to wrongdoing that the capacity for moral embarrassment has been entirely lost. The loss of the 'blush' (paleness of shame) indicates a hardened conscience, a theme that recurs in Isaiah 3:9 and Paul's description of those 'past feeling' in Ephesians 4:19. Jeremiah 6:15 is nearly identical to this verse, suggesting a refrain that frames the entire first half of the book: Israel's prophets and priests have no shame, therefore they will fall in judgment. The verse raises enduring questions about cultural moral desensitization and its theological consequences.
Other Translations
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall; in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith Jehovah.
They were ashamed when they did abomination! Yea, they are not at all ashamed, And blushing they have not known, Therefore, they do fall among falling ones, In the time of their inspection they stumble, said Jehovah.
Let them be put to shame because they have done disgusting things. They had no shame, they were not able to become red with shame: so they will come down with those who are falling: in the time of their punishment they will be made low, says the Lord.
Cross References
The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. …
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: …
And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; …
Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou …
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore …
There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have …
Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their …
Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I …
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou …