Bible Strands
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,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jeremiah stands in the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the Potsherd Gate and addresses the kings of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. He speaks as a commissioned messenger for the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, to announce impending judgment.
The words — The imperative שִׁמְעוּ (shim‘û) means “hear” or “pay attention,” coupled with דְבַר־יְהוָה (deḇar-Yahweh), literally “the word of Yahweh.” The directive וְ/אָֽמַרְתָּ (wə-’āmarTa) instructs the prophet to “and you will say” this proclamation.
The thread — The declaration that God will bring disaster so severe the ears of hearers will tingle or ring appears in 1 Samuel 3:11 and 2 Kings 21:12. The formula “Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah” parallels Jeremiah 17:20.
Why it lands — The text requires the ruling class and citizens of Jerusalem to acknowledge a coming catastrophe directly from God. It forces the audience to confront the reality of their abandonment of Yahweh and their participation in idolatry before the announced judgment arrives.
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, Hear ye the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 3:11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, “I am about to do something in Israel at which the ears of all who hear it will tingle.
- 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.
- 2 Kings 21:12 this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it.
- Isaiah 28:19 As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.
- Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
- 1 Samuel 4:16 “I have just come from the battle,” the man said to Eli. “I fled from there today.” “What happened, my son?” Eli asked.
- Psalms 2:10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.
- Psalms 102:15 So the nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.
- Psalms 110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
- 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.”