Jeremiah 11:6

KJV

Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Proclaim {H7121} all these words {H1697} in the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, and in the streets {H2351} of Jerusalem {H3389}, saying {H559}, Hear {H8085} ye the words {H1697} of this covenant {H1285}, and do {H6213} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to me, "Proclaim all these words in the cities of Y'hudah and in the streets of Yerushalayim: 'Listen to the words of this covenant, and obey them.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: Hear the words of this covenant and carry them out.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 11:6 records the LORD's direct command to the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to publicly proclaim a solemn message throughout the cities and streets of Judah and Jerusalem. This message was an urgent call for the people to remember, listen to, and actively obey the terms of the covenant God had established with their ancestors. It underscored the nation's spiritual deviation and God's persistent desire for their return to faithfulness, emphasizing that their well-being was intrinsically linked to their adherence to His divine stipulations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 11:6 is situated within a section (Jeremiah 11:1-17) often referred to as the "Book of the Covenant" or "Covenant Lawsuit." The preceding verses (Jeremiah 11:1-5) establish the historical backdrop of the Mosaic Covenant, recounting God's faithfulness in bringing Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land, conditioned on their obedience to His voice and commandments. The LORD reminds Jeremiah of the terms of this covenant, which the people have now violated. Verse 6 then serves as the divine imperative to disseminate this message widely, setting the stage for the subsequent indictment of Judah's rebellion and the declaration of impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience (e.g., [Jeremiah 11:7-8](/jeremiah/11-7 "Jeremiah 11:7-8 - Israel's Disobedience")). The passage highlights the brokenness of the covenant relationship and God's final, desperate plea before judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy likely dates to the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC), a period of attempted religious reform in Judah, particularly after the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple (2 Kings 22-23). However, the reform was largely superficial, failing to truly penetrate the hearts of the people. Idolatry, syncretism (mixing worship of Yahweh with pagan deities), and social injustice were rampant, reflecting a profound departure from the covenant stipulations. The command to proclaim the message "in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem" signifies the public, pervasive nature of their sin and the urgent, public nature of God's call to repentance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants were binding agreements, often sealed with solemn oaths and carrying severe consequences for breach, a concept well understood by the Israelites who had inherited the Mosaic Covenant from their forefathers at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Sinai Covenant")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Covenant Faithfulness and Breach**. Jeremiah 11:6 explicitly calls the people back to the "words of this covenant," highlighting God's enduring commitment despite Israel's infidelity. This directly contrasts with the nation's widespread **Disobedience and Rebellion**, which is a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah, leading to the theme of **Divine Judgment**. God's repeated warnings, as seen here through Jeremiah's proclamation, underscore His **Patience and Justice**, offering a final opportunity for repentance before the inevitable consequences of their actions (e.g., [Jeremiah 11:11](/jeremiah/11-11 "Jeremiah 11:11 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The verse also emphasizes the vital role of **Prophetic Ministry** as God's chosen means of communicating His will and warnings to His people, with Jeremiah serving as His faithful, though often unpopular, messenger. The imperative to "Hear... and do" encapsulates the biblical understanding that true faith is demonstrated through active obedience, not mere intellectual assent, a principle echoed throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema and Love for God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From a root suggesting "cutting," this word refers to a solemn, binding agreement or compact. In the biblical context, it denotes a divinely initiated relationship with specific stipulations, promises, and often, curses for disobedience. Here, it specifically refers to the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, which formed the foundational relationship between God and Israel, governing their national and spiritual life.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term is highly versatile, encompassing not just spoken utterances but also matters, affairs, things, commands, and even deeds. In Jeremiah 11:6, "words" refers to the specific stipulations, laws, and declarations of the Mosaic Covenant, emphasizing their comprehensive nature as the divine instruction for Israel's life. It implies the full body of God's revealed will.
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root means to hear intelligently, often with the strong implication of attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. It is not merely passive reception of sound but active listening that leads to a responsive action. When paired with "do" (as it is here), it forms a powerful biblical idiom emphasizing that true hearing of God's word necessitates practical application and adherence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the LORD said unto me":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. Jeremiah is not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but directly relaying the word of Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh'_), the self-existent, eternal God who is in covenant relationship with Israel. This divine commission underscores the gravity and urgency of the impending proclamation.
* **"Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem":** Jeremiah is commanded to make the message public and widespread. "All these words" refers to the covenant stipulations and the preceding indictment of Israel's unfaithfulness. The mention of "cities" (H5892, _ʻîyr'_) and "streets" (H2351, _chûwts'_) signifies that the message is intended for every inhabitant, from the urban centers to the broader rural areas of Judah (H3063, _Yᵉhûwdâh'_) and its capital, Jerusalem (H3389, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_). This public declaration leaves no room for ignorance or excuse regarding their covenant obligations.
* **"saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them":** This is the core of the message Jeremiah is to deliver. It is a dual imperative: first, to "hear" (H8085, _shâmaʻ'_), implying attentive listening and understanding of the covenant's terms; and second, to "do" (H6213, _ʻâsâh'_), meaning to actively obey, perform, and live out those terms. This phrase encapsulates the essence of covenant faithfulness—a responsive obedience that translates belief into action, highlighting that their current spiritual and national crisis stemmed from a failure to both truly hear and genuinely obey God's established covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 11:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as the LORD speaks directly to Jeremiah, lending immediate divine authority to the prophet's subsequent proclamation. This is reinforced by the **Imperative Mood** in "Proclaim," "Hear," and "do," which conveys the absolute necessity and non-negotiable nature of God's command and the people's expected response. The phrase "cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem" functions as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts ("cities" and "streets") are used to represent the whole, signifying that the message is for *all* people throughout the entire land, leaving no one exempt. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "words" ("all these words" and "the words of this covenant") emphasizes the centrality and importance of God's revealed will as the basis for their relationship and the standard by which they are judged.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 11:6 stands as a stark reminder of the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people and the profound consequences of its neglect. The call to "hear and do" is a foundational principle woven throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative obedience that impacts every facet of life. This verse highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even as His people repeatedly break their end of the agreement. It underscores His justice in holding them accountable for their actions, yet also His persistent mercy in offering a final, public call to repentance before judgment is fully executed. The broken covenant in Jeremiah foreshadows the need for a new and better covenant, one written not on stone tablets but on the heart, enabling true obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [James 1:22-25](/james/1-22 "James 1:22-25 - Be Doers of the Word")
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 11:6 serves as a timeless call to active and heartfelt obedience to God's Word. Just as ancient Judah was called to heed the covenant, believers today are summoned to listen intently to the Scriptures and translate that hearing into tangible action in their daily lives. It challenges us to move beyond passive consumption of spiritual truth to a dynamic engagement that shapes our character, choices, and relationships. The public nature of Jeremiah's proclamation also reminds us of our own responsibility to bear witness to God's truth in our communities, workplaces, and homes, not shrinking from sharing the good news and the call to repentance. Furthermore, the historical context serves as a sober warning that persistent disobedience, even amidst religious activity, ultimately leads to spiritual decline and divine discipline. This verse compels us to examine the depth of our commitment: are we merely hearers of the Word, or are we diligent doers, allowing God's covenant to truly define our existence?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I a "hearer only" of God's Word, rather than a "doer"?**
* **How does my understanding of God's covenant with me (through Christ) motivate my obedience?**
* **What "cities and streets" (contexts) is God calling me to proclaim His "words" in today, whether through direct speech or lived example?**
* **What are the potential consequences, both personal and communal, of ignoring God's call to obedience in my life or in the church?**

### FAQ

**What "covenant" is being referred to in Jeremiah 11:6?**

Answer: The "covenant" in Jeremiah 11:6 refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant, also known as the Sinai Covenant, which God established with the Israelites at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt. This covenant is detailed in books like [Exodus 19-24](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19-24 - The Sinai Covenant") and [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "The Book of Deuteronomy"). It was a foundational agreement that defined Israel's relationship with Yahweh, outlining His laws, statutes, and commands, as well as the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The prophet Jeremiah's message is a direct reminder of these obligations, which the people of Judah had largely abandoned.

**Why was it so important for Jeremiah to proclaim this message publicly "in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem"?**

Answer: The public proclamation was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it underscored the universal nature of the covenant obligation; it applied to *all* the people, not just a select few. Secondly, it emphasized the widespread nature of their sin; the entire nation, from the capital to the smallest towns, was implicated in the breach of the covenant. Thirdly, it served as a final, urgent warning. God, in His mercy, was providing every opportunity for repentance before the full weight of the covenant curses (like exile, as described in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) would fall upon them. The public setting ensured that no one could claim ignorance of God's demands or the impending consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 11:6, with its urgent call to "Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. While Israel failed to uphold the Mosaic Covenant, Jesus perfectly embodied its demands, living a life of complete obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). He is the "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the living embodiment of God's covenant faithfulness. Furthermore, Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), where God's law is written not on stone tablets but on the hearts of His people, enabling true obedience through the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Law Fulfilled by the Spirit")). Thus, the call to "hear and do" is now fulfilled in believing in Christ and walking in the Spirit, empowered to live out the righteous requirements of God's new covenant, no longer by external compulsion but by an internal transformation that produces genuine fruit ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")).

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

Romans 2:13

(For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

John 13:17

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Jeremiah 3:12

¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.

Jeremiah 19:2

And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which [is] by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee,

Jeremiah 7:2

Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

Jeremiah 11:2

Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;