Jeremiah 19:15

“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am about to bring on this city and on all the villages around it every disaster I have pronounced against them, because they have stiffened their necks so as not to heed My words.’”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jeremiah stands in the courtyard of the house of the LORD after returning from Topheth, addressing the assembled people with a declaration from Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel.

The words — The Hebrew כֹּה (koh, "thus") establishes the prophetic speech formula, while מֵבִיא (me.vi', "about to bring") specifies the imminent divine action.

The thread — The phrase "stiffened their necks" recurs in Jeremiah 7:26 and Jeremiah 17:23 as a repeated pattern of refusing to listen, and in Nehemiah 9:29 as sustained rebellion despite covenant admonition.

Why it lands — The text states that every pronounced disaster will fall on the city and surrounding villages because the people hardened themselves against God's words. It requires the reader to acknowledge that deliberate refusal to heed instruction triggers inevitable judgment.

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

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

Cross-references

Jeremiah 7:26 Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.
Jeremiah 17:23 Yet they would not listen or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and would not listen or receive My discipline.
Nehemiah 9:29 You admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They turned a stubborn shoulder; they stiffened their necks and would not obey.
2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.
Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.
Jeremiah 35:15 Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.
Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.
Psalms 58:2 No, in your hearts you devise injustice; with your hands you mete out violence on the earth.
Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.