Jeremiah 10:1

KJV

¶ Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} speaketh {H1696} unto you, O house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Hear the word ADONAI speaks to you, house of Isra'el!

Berean Standard Bible

Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel.

American Standard Version

Hear ye the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 10:1 serves as a foundational and urgent divine summons, commanding the "house of Israel"—representing the covenant people of God, particularly Judah in Jeremiah's day—to heed the authoritative word spoken directly by the LORD. This introductory verse sets the tone for the ensuing message, which sharply contrasts the living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by the surrounding nations and, tragically, by Israel itself, emphasizing the critical importance of obedience to divine revelation amidst widespread apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 10:1 stands as a pivotal transition point within the book of Jeremiah. It immediately follows a series of laments and prophetic pronouncements regarding Judah's unfaithfulness and impending judgment in chapters 8-9, particularly the lament over the "wound of the daughter of my people" and the call to weep over their spiritual ruin ([Jeremiah 8:21-9:11](/jeremiah/8-21 "Jeremiah 8:21-9:11 - Lament over Judah's Ruin")). This opening verse of chapter 10 then introduces a new, distinct prophetic oracle that sharply contrasts the true God with the futility of idols, a theme that dominates the rest of the chapter. The direct address and imperative to "Hear" underscore the gravity and divine origin of the message that follows, which details the folly of idolatry and the incomparable majesty of the LORD, setting the stage for subsequent warnings and calls to repentance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered in Judah during a period of profound national decline and spiritual apostasy, from the late 7th to early 6th century BC, specifically under the reigns of kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. This era was marked by the encroaching threat of the Babylonian Empire, which would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. Despite Josiah's earlier reforms, idolatry had deeply permeated Judahite society, influenced by the surrounding Canaanite and Mesopotamian cultures. People engaged in syncretistic worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with the veneration of Baal, Asherah, and astral deities. Jeremiah's message directly confronts these cultural norms, calling the "house of Israel" back to exclusive covenant loyalty to the LORD, reminding them of the unique relationship established at Mount Sinai and reiterated throughout their history, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 4:15-19](/deuteronomy/4-15 "Deuteronomy 4:15-19 - Warning Against Idolatry").

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several overarching themes central to Jeremiah's prophecy. First, it powerfully asserts **Divine Authority and Revelation**, establishing that the message is not merely human opinion but a direct, unadulterated "word which the LORD speaketh," emphasizing God's active engagement with His people and His sovereign right to command. Second, it highlights the **Imperative of Obedience and Active Listening**, as "Hear ye" is a forceful command demanding not just passive reception but attentive and responsive action from the audience, echoing the foundational call of the Shema in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema"). Finally, the address "O house of Israel" underscores the theme of **Covenant Relationship and Accountability**. Despite their widespread rebellion and the prior fall of the northern kingdom of Israel, God still addresses the remnant in Judah as His chosen covenant people, reminding them of their unique identity and the responsibilities that come with it, even as He pronounces judgment for their failure to uphold their end of the covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085. This primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. It's not merely about the physical act of hearing sound waves but about internalizing the message and responding appropriately. In a prophetic context, it carries the weight of a command to heed and obey the divine word.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** H1697. Derived from H1696 (dâbar, to speak), this noun signifies "a word," but by implication, it can also refer to a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," or "report." In this context, it emphasizes the concrete, authoritative, and effectual nature of God's communication, which is not empty but carries divine purpose and power.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068. This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, YHWH (Yahweh), derived from the root "to be" (H1961, _hâyâh_). It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and covenant-keeping God. Its use here underscores the personal, authoritative, and relational source of the message, distinguishing the true God from the powerless deities of the nations.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** H1004. This term primarily means "house" but extends to encompass "family," "household," "dynasty," or "temple." When paired with "Israel," "house of Israel" refers to the entire nation, the collective descendants of Jacob, emphasizing their corporate identity as God's chosen people, bound by covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Hear ye the word":** This is an urgent, imperative command, directly addressing the audience. The plural "ye" indicates a collective summons to the entire nation. "The word" immediately establishes the divine origin and content of the message that follows, demanding active and obedient listening.
* **"which the LORD speaketh unto you":** This clause unequivocally identifies the speaker as YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, and emphasizes that the message is a direct, living utterance from Him. It highlights the divine authority and personal nature of the communication, contrasting it with human opinions or false prophecies. The use of "speaketh" (present tense) implies an ongoing, active communication.
* **"O house of Israel":** This vocative phrase identifies the specific audience. "House of Israel" refers to the entire covenant community, including both the northern (Israel, already exiled) and southern (Judah, to whom Jeremiah prophesied) kingdoms. It serves as a reminder of their unique relationship with God and their historical identity as His chosen people, implying their responsibility to heed His voice.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 10:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, immediately engaging the audience with the imperative "Hear ye" and the direct appellation "O house of Israel." This creates a sense of immediacy and personal accountability, as the divine message is not abstract but specifically for them. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Hear ye") functions as a command, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of God's instruction and the critical importance of their response. Furthermore, the phrase "the word which the LORD speaketh" serves as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, a common prophetic convention that authenticates the message as originating from God Himself, not from human wisdom or invention. This formula establishes the absolute authority and truthfulness of the pronouncement that follows, setting a solemn tone for the entire chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 10:1 is a profound theological statement, asserting the absolute sovereignty and communicative nature of the LORD in contrast to the impotence of idols. It underscores that the true God is not a silent, distant deity but one who actively speaks to His people, revealing His will, His character, and His judgment. This divine communication is not merely informative but transformative, demanding a response of obedient hearing. The address to the "house of Israel" reaffirms God's enduring covenant relationship with His chosen people, even in their rebellion, holding them accountable to the foundational principle of listening to His voice as the pathway to life and blessing, a principle deeply embedded in the Mosaic Law and the prophetic tradition. This verse sets the stage for the stark choice presented in the chapter: to worship the living, speaking God or to cling to dead, silent idols.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 10:1 serves as a timeless call to prioritize and profoundly engage with the authoritative voice of God. In a world saturated with competing narratives, distractions, and ideologies, this verse reminds us that true wisdom and direction come from actively listening to the LORD. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and receptivity, recognizing that God's word is not merely ancient text but a living, active revelation intended to shape our lives. Just as ancient Israel was called to discern the true source of authority amidst widespread idolatry, believers today are called to filter all information and influences through the lens of God's revealed truth. This "hearing" implies not just intellectual understanding, but a commitment to obedience, allowing God's word to transform our hearts, minds, and actions, leading us away from modern idols—be they materialism, self-reliance, or cultural trends—and back to exclusive devotion to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I most prone to listen to voices other than God's?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more attentive and obedient "hearing" of God's word in my daily life?**
* **How does my response to God's word reflect my understanding of His authority and my covenant relationship with Him?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jeremiah address "O house of Israel" when he is primarily prophesying to Judah?**

Answer: Jeremiah's ministry was indeed primarily to the southern kingdom of Judah, as the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria in 722 BC. However, the term "house of Israel" here is used in a broader, theological sense to refer to the entire covenant community, all twelve tribes, representing God's chosen people. This usage emphasizes the continuity of God's covenant with all descendants of Jacob and underscores that Judah is now the inheritor of the full covenant responsibilities and warnings that applied to all Israel. It serves as a reminder that Judah's apostasy mirrors that of their northern brethren, and they face similar consequences if they do not heed the word of the [LORD](/jeremiah/10-1 "Jeremiah 10:1 - Hear the Word of the LORD").

**What is the significance of the phrase "the word which the LORD speaketh"?**

Answer: This phrase is a crucial prophetic formula that establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. It signifies that the ensuing words are not Jeremiah's personal thoughts or political opinions, but a direct, authoritative revelation from God Himself. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) further emphasizes that the message comes from the covenant-keeping, self-existent God of Israel, making it binding and true. This declaration sets the message apart from human wisdom or false prophecies, demanding serious attention and obedience from the "house of [Israel](/jeremiah/10-1 "Jeremiah 10:1 - Hear the Word of the LORD")".

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 10:1, with its urgent call to "Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets delivered God's word in fragmented and diverse ways, [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares that "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Jesus is the living Word of God made flesh, the perfect and complete revelation of the Father ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The divine imperative to "hear" God's voice is perfectly embodied in the call to listen to Christ, as God Himself commanded at the Transfiguration, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!" ([Matthew 17:5](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - Listen to Him")). Just as ancient Israel was called away from lifeless idols to the living God, so too are believers called to turn from all false gods and empty philosophies to Christ, who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Christ, the message of the LORD is not just spoken *to* us, but embodied *for* us, offering salvation and true life to all who hear and obey His voice ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 2:13

¶ For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Hosea 4:1

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Jeremiah 42:15

And now therefore hear the word of the LORD, ye remnant of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there;

Amos 7:16

Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac.

Jeremiah 13:15

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

Jeremiah 13:17

But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

Revelation 2:29

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.