Jeremiah 11:6

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Context of Jeremiah 11:6

Jeremiah 11:6 finds the prophet Jeremiah receiving a direct command from the LORD during a critical period in Judah's history, likely before the first wave of Babylonian exile. The nation was steeped in idolatry and had largely abandoned the covenant God made with their ancestors at Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb). Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the prophet repeatedly calls the people back to faithfulness, warning of impending judgment if they persist in their disobedience. This specific verse emphasizes God's persistent desire for His people to return to the foundational principles of their relationship with Him, which was established through the Mosaic Covenant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Call to Obedience: The central message is the imperative to "Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them." This highlights that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but requires active, practical obedience. God desires a response from the heart that translates into actions.
  • Covenant Obligation: The verse underscores the enduring nature of the covenant between God and Israel. It was a reciprocal agreement; God had faithfully chosen and blessed them, and they were obligated to live according to His laws. Their failure to do so was a breach of this sacred bond.
  • Public Proclamation: Jeremiah is instructed to proclaim these words "in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem." This signifies that the message was not private but a public, urgent call to repentance, intended for all to hear and heed. God's message was to be widely known and understood.
  • Divine Authority: The phrase "Then the LORD said unto me" establishes the divine origin and authority of the message, reinforcing that Jeremiah is speaking on behalf of God Himself.

Linguistic Insights

The word "covenant" in Hebrew is b'rit (בְּרִית), which signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty. In the biblical context, it often denotes a divinely initiated relationship with specific stipulations and promises. For Israel, the covenant was the bedrock of their national identity and their relationship with Yahweh. The phrase "hear and do" (שָׁמַע וְעָשָׂה - shama' v'asah) is a common biblical idiom that appears throughout the Old Testament, particularly in Deuteronomy. It emphasizes that merely listening to God's commands is insufficient; true understanding and reverence are demonstrated through active adherence and living them out. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, as seen in James 1:22, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only."

Practical Application

Jeremiah 11:6 offers timeless principles for believers today. Just as God called ancient Israel to obey His covenant, He calls us to live in obedience to His Word.

  • Active Obedience: It reminds us that our faith should translate into action. It's not enough to simply hear sermons or read the Bible; we are called to apply God's truth to our daily lives.
  • The Enduring Word: While we live under the New Covenant in Christ, the principle of obedience remains foundational. The Spirit helps us to fulfill the righteous requirements of God's law (Romans 8:4).
  • Proclaiming Truth: Like Jeremiah, believers are called to share God's truth with the world around them, making known the good news of the gospel and the call to repentance and faith. This can be done in our communities, workplaces, and homes.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The broader context of Jeremiah's prophecy serves as a sober reminder that persistent disobedience to God's revealed will carries consequences, both individually and corporately.
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.

  • 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;

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