Jeremiah 11:3

And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed [be] the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

And say {H559} thou unto them, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Cursed {H779} be the man {H376} that obeyeth {H8085} not the words {H1697} of this covenant {H1285},

tell them that ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'A curse on anyone who does not pay attention to the words of this covenant,

You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

and say thou unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,

Commentary

Jeremiah 11:3 delivers a stern warning from the LORD God of Israel to the people of Judah, emphasizing the critical importance of their covenant relationship with Him. This verse is a direct pronouncement of divine judgment against those who disregard or disobey the stipulations of the covenant God made with their ancestors.

Context

This declaration comes amidst Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, a turbulent period in Judah's history marked by widespread idolatry, moral decay, and a persistent turning away from God. The "words of this covenant" primarily refer to the Mosaic Covenant, established at Mount Sinai, which outlined God's laws and promises to Israel. God had chosen Israel as His special people, and their prosperity and presence in the land were contingent upon their faithfulness to this agreement. Jeremiah's message frequently highlights Judah's failure to uphold their end of this sacred bond, leading to the imminent consequences of exile and destruction.

Key Themes

  • The Binding Nature of God's Covenant: The verse underscores that God's covenants are not mere suggestions but solemn agreements with clear obligations and repercussions. Disobedience is a serious breach of trust.
  • Obedience as a Prerequisite for Blessing: Throughout the Old Testament, obedience to God's commands is consistently presented as the path to blessing and divine favor. Conversely, disobedience leads to divine disfavor and hardship.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The term "cursed" signifies a state of being under divine judgment, excluded from blessing, and subject to severe penalties. This aligns with the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for those who break the covenant.
  • God's Justice and Faithfulness: While a harsh warning, it also reflects God's justice in holding His people accountable to the standards He set, demonstrating His faithfulness to His own declared word.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cursed" here is 'arar (ארר), which conveys the idea of being bound by a curse, alienated from God's favor, and subject to negative consequences. It is the opposite of being blessed. The "covenant" (Hebrew: berith - Χ‘Χ¨Χ™Χͺ) is a foundational concept in the Old Testament, denoting a solemn, binding agreement often initiated by God, establishing a relationship with specific terms and conditions.

Practical Application

While this verse speaks directly to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, its underlying principles resonate deeply for believers today. It reminds us:

  • That God's word is to be taken seriously, and there are spiritual consequences for disregarding His commands.
  • Of the universal truth that the wages of sin is death, a principle consistent across testaments.
  • To appreciate the new covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ, which offers forgiveness and a new heart to obey, not through legalistic adherence, but through faith and grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This covenant moves beyond external law to internal transformation.

Jeremiah 11:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, His expectation of obedience, and the profound grace extended through Christ to those who humble themselves and seek His mercy.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 27:26

    Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

  • Galatians 3:10

    For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

  • Galatians 3:13

    Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ΒΆ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

  • Deuteronomy 28:68

    And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

  • Deuteronomy 29:19

    And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

  • Deuteronomy 29:20

    The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.
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