Bible Strands
Jeremiah 18:19
Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jeremiah speaks directly to Yahweh at the moment his opponents finalize a plot to denounce him and deliberately ignore his prophetic counsel. This plea occurs immediately after they resolve to pay no heed to his words.
The words — The verse centers on הַקְשִׁיבָה (hakshiwa), meaning "be attentive," and יְרִיבַי (yerivai), meaning "my opponents" or "accusers." Jeremiah commands God to focus on the specific voices of those actively conspiring against him.
The thread — This appeal for divine attention to hostile voices runs parallel to Psalms 55:16 and Psalms 109:28, where God's intervention against cursing accusers is repeatedly invoked. It also mirrors Nehemiah 6:9, where enemies attempt to intimidate the speaker through fear.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to bring specific accusations directly to God rather than responding with retaliation. It demands that hostility be met with focused prayer for divine attention before any human action is taken.
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
Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 6:9 For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.
- Psalms 55:16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
- Psalms 109:28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.
- Jeremiah 20:12 O 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.
- Micah 7:8 Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.
- 2 Kings 19:16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.
- Nehemiah 4:4 Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.
- Psalms 56:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be merciful to me, O God, for men are hounding me; all day they press their attack.
- Psalms 64:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
- Psalms 109:4 In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.