Bible Strands
Jeremiah 17:20
Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD instructs Jeremiah to deliver a message to the kings of Judah, all the people of Judah, and the residents of Jerusalem gathered at the city gates. This occurs as Jeremiah stands at the gates where the kings enter and exit, immediately before a specific command regarding Sabbath conduct.
The words — The imperative שִׁמְע֨וּ (shim‘û) commands "hear," demanding attentive obedience rather than mere auditory perception. It is paired with דְבַר־יְהוָה (devar-Yahweh), literally "the word of Yahweh," establishing the message as divine authority.
The thread — This prophetic summons to royal and civic leaders echoes in Jeremiah 19:3 and Jeremiah 22:2, where similar calls to "hear the word of the LORD" target Judah’s kings and inhabitants. It also parallels the universal call to listen in Psalm 49:1.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate, conscious attention from those in power and the general population before delivering a specific covenantal warning. It requires readers to recognize that divine communication precedes and governs human action at every civic threshold.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 19:3 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring,
- Psalms 49:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,
- Jeremiah 22:2 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates.
- Ezekiel 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
- Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”
- Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
- Hosea 5:1 “Hear this, O priests! Take heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O royal house! For this judgment is against you because you have been a snare at Mizpah, a net spread out on Tabor.
- Amos 4:1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.”
- Micah 3:1 Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice?
- Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.