Jeremiah 1:17

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

Thou therefore gird up {H247} thy loins {H4975}, and arise {H6965}, and speak {H1696} unto them all that I command {H6680} thee: be not dismayed {H2865} at their faces {H6440}, lest I confound {H2865} thee before {H6440} them.

"But you, dress for action; stand up and tell them everything I order you to say. When you confront them, don't break down; or I will break you down in front of them!

Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them.

Context of Jeremiah 1:17

This verse is a pivotal moment in the prophetic call of Jeremiah, coming immediately after God's assurance of His presence and power. Jeremiah, initially hesitant and claiming youth (Jeremiah 1:6), receives a clear and forceful command from the Lord. He is being commissioned to speak God's word to a defiant nation, Judah, which was steeped in idolatry and disobedience, facing impending judgment. The message Jeremiah was to deliver would be unpopular and would provoke strong opposition from kings, princes, priests, and the common people. This verse sets the tone for the challenging ministry ahead, emphasizing the prophet's duty to deliver the divine message without compromise or fear of human reaction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Commission and Obedience: The command to "arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee" underscores that Jeremiah's authority came directly from God. His role was not to filter or soften the message but to be a faithful mouthpiece, delivering God's exact words. This highlights the absolute necessity of obedience to divine calling.
  • Courage in the Face of Opposition: The instruction "be not dismayed at their faces" directly addresses the human tendency to fear man's disapproval or hostility. God knew the immense pressure Jeremiah would face and commanded him to overcome intimidation from powerful or influential figures who would oppose his message. This theme resonates with the need for spiritual boldness in a hostile world.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The stern warning, "lest I confound thee before them," signifies severe divine repercussions for fear-driven disobedience. To be "confounded" means to be disgraced, defeated, or brought to ruin. This serves as a powerful reminder that failing to obey God out of fear of man can lead to spiritual and practical failure orchestrated by God Himself. It emphasizes God's expectation of faithfulness from His servants.
  • God's Empowerment for Service: Implicit in the command is God's enabling power. While the verse focuses on Jeremiah's responsibility, it is understood within the broader context of God's promise to be with him and strengthen him (Jeremiah 1:8). The divine command comes with divine provision for its fulfillment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Gird up thy loins": The Hebrew phrase is ḥăgōr motnêḵā (חֲגֹר מָתְנֶיךָ). This is an ancient idiom from the Near East, referring to the practice of tucking up long robes into a belt to allow for freedom of movement during work, travel, or battle. It signifies readiness, diligence, mental preparedness, and a call to action. It implies casting aside anything that hinders swift and decisive obedience.
  • "Be not dismayed at their faces": The Hebrew for "dismayed" is ḥātat (חָתַת), meaning to be shattered, broken, or terrified. It describes a fear so intense that it incapacitates and causes one to shrink back. The phrase emphasizes not letting the appearance or demeanor of the people intimidate Jeremiah into silence or compromise.
  • "Lest I confound thee": This phrase uses the causative form of the same Hebrew root ḥātat (’aḥittəkā, אֲחִתְּךָ). The warning is that if Jeremiah allows himself to be terrified by the people, God Himself will cause him to be broken, disgraced, or defeated in their presence. This underscores God's sovereignty over the outcome of Jeremiah's ministry and the seriousness of obedience.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 1:17 offers profound lessons for believers today. We are called to be courageous in proclaiming and living out God's truth, even when it is unpopular or met with opposition. The "faces" that might dismay us could be societal pressure, professional consequences, or personal ridicule. This verse reminds us:

  1. Overcome the Fear of Man: Our primary allegiance is to God, not to human opinion. The fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25), and God commands us to trust Him rather than be intimidated by others.
  2. Faithfulness to God's Word: Like Jeremiah, we are not to dilute or distort God's message for the sake of acceptance. Whether in evangelism, teaching, or daily conduct, we are to speak and live "all that I command thee."
  3. God Empowers Obedience: While the command is stern, it comes from a God who provides the strength and grace to obey. We are called to "gird up our loins" through prayer, study of the Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
  4. Accountability for Our Calling: The warning to Jeremiah highlights that God takes our obedience seriously. When we fail to act out of fear, we risk losing the divine empowerment and blessing necessary for our assigned tasks.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 1:7

    But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

  • Jeremiah 1:8

    Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 18:46

    And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

  • Ezekiel 3:14

    So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

  • Ezekiel 3:18

    When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

  • 1 Peter 1:13

    ¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  • Exodus 7:2

    Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

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