Jeremiah 13:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} ye, and give ear {H238}; be not proud {H1361}: for the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Listen and pay attention; don't be proud! For ADONAI has spoken.

Berean Standard Bible

Listen and give heed. Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.

American Standard Version

Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud; for Jehovah hath spoken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:15 delivers an urgent divine appeal to the people of Judah, imploring them to heed God's voice and abandon their destructive pride. This verse encapsulates the prophet Jeremiah's core message during a period of national apostasy, emphasizing that the impending judgment is a direct consequence of their disobedience and haughtiness. It serves as a final, impassioned call for humility and repentance before the Lord's word, which is certain to be fulfilled, brings about devastating consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 13:15 stands as a pivotal warning within a series of prophetic pronouncements and symbolic actions designed to awaken Judah to its precarious spiritual state. The preceding verses detail two powerful object lessons: the **linen girdle** (`/jeremiah/13-1-11` "Jeremiah 13:1-11 - The Linen Girdle") and the **wine jars** (`/jeremiah/13-12-14` "Jeremiah 13:12-14 - The Wine Jars"). The soiled girdle symbolized Judah's corruption and God's intent to destroy their pride, while the shattered wine jars illustrated the nation's inevitable fragmentation and the overflowing cup of God's wrath. Following this verse, Jeremiah continues to lament Judah's stubbornness and foretell the **darkness and stumbling** (`/jeremiah/13-16` "Jeremiah 13:16 - Warning of Stumbling in Darkness") that will accompany their exile, underscoring the severity of the unheeded warning. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct, imperative plea before the full weight of the prophetic judgment is further elaborated, acting as a crucial turning point in the narrative.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous era marked by the decline of Assyrian power and the rise of Babylon. Judah, under kings like Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, vacillated between alliances and rebellion, consistently failing to trust in the Lord. Culturally, the nation had become deeply entrenched in idolatry, syncretism, and social injustice, despite the clear stipulations of the Mosaic Covenant. The people, especially the ruling elite and false prophets, harbored a profound sense of **nationalistic pride and false security** (`/jeremiah/7-4` "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple"), believing that Jerusalem and the Temple were inviolable. This arrogance prevented them from acknowledging their sin and responding to God's warnings, even as the Babylonian threat loomed large and eventually led to the **destruction of Jerusalem and the exile** (`/2_kings/25` "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). Jeremiah's call to "be not proud" directly confronts this deeply embedded cultural and spiritual hubris, which was a pervasive societal ill.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several recurring themes throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, the **urgency of listening and obedience** to God's word is paramount, as seen in the repeated calls to "hear" and "give ear." This theme highlights the critical importance of spiritual receptivity in a nation that had become deaf to divine instruction, a concept echoed throughout prophetic literature. Secondly, the pervasive problem of **pride and spiritual arrogance** is directly addressed as a root cause of Judah's downfall. This hubris prevented them from acknowledging their sin and humbling themselves before God, leading to their ultimate judgment, a principle consistently taught in wisdom literature, such as **Proverbs 16:18** (`/proverbs/16-18` "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction"). Finally, the phrase "for the LORD hath spoken" underscores the **absolute authority and certainty of God's word**. It is not a mere suggestion or human opinion, but a divine decree from Yahweh, the sovereign covenant God of Israel, whose words are **unfailingly accomplished** (`/isaiah/55-11` "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose") and will not return to Him empty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention, obedience, and comprehension. In this context, it is a command to not merely perceive sound but to internalize the prophetic message, understand its implications, and act accordingly. It calls for a receptive heart that leads to submission to divine authority.
* **proud (Hebrew, _gâbahh'_):** A primitive root meaning to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty or exalted. It describes an inflated sense of self-importance, arrogance, and a refusal to acknowledge one's dependence on God. In the biblical context, pride is often depicted as the antithesis of humility and a direct affront to God's sovereignty, leading to spiritual blindness and rebellion.
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** A primitive root meaning to arrange, but used figuratively (of words) to speak. When used in reference to God, as here with "the LORD hath spoken," it denotes a divine declaration, an authoritative pronouncement, or a decree. It conveys the certainty, power, and unchangeable nature of God's revealed will and prophetic word, implying that what God has declared will undoubtedly come to pass.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear ye, and give ear;":** This opening imperative clause functions as a double command, emphasizing the profound urgency and critical importance of the message. "Hear ye" (shâmaʻ) calls for intelligent, obedient listening, while "give ear" (ʼâzan) demands attentive, focused reception, as if physically inclining the ear to catch every word. Together, they form an intensified plea for Judah to move beyond superficial hearing to genuine spiritual discernment and responsiveness, indicating a deep desire from God for their attention.
* **"be not proud:":** This is a direct, negative command targeting the root spiritual malady of Judah. "Proud" (gâbahh) speaks to their arrogance, self-sufficiency, and haughtiness—an attitude that prevented them from acknowledging their sin, repenting, and submitting to God's will. This pride was both individual and national, manifesting in their idolatry, injustice, and refusal to believe the prophetic warnings. The command is a call to radical humility and self-abasement before God, recognizing their dependence on Him.
* **"for the LORD hath spoken.":** This concluding clause provides the irrefutable basis and ultimate authority for the preceding commands. The phrase "the LORD hath spoken" (Yᵉhôvâh dâbar) asserts that the message originates directly from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, whose word is absolute, infallible, and carries the weight of divine decree. It signifies that the warning is not Jeremiah's opinion but God's own unchangeable declaration, making the consequences of disobedience certain and unavoidable and demanding an immediate, reverent response.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The use of **Imperative Mood** ("Hear ye," "give ear," "be not proud") creates a sense of direct address and immediate command, underscoring the critical nature of God's appeal. This is further intensified by **Parallelism** in "Hear ye, and give ear," where two synonymous phrases are used to amplify the call for attentive listening, ensuring the audience grasps the depth of the divine expectation for spiritual receptivity. The phrase "for the LORD hath spoken" functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending absolute authority and certainty to the preceding commands and warnings. This formula asserts the divine origin of the message, making it indisputable and compelling immediate response. The entire verse also exhibits a strong element of **Pathos**, appealing to the emotions and conscience of the people by highlighting the gravity of their situation and the inevitable consequences of their pride in the face of God's certain and unchangeable word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:15 profoundly connects to the broader biblical narrative by highlighting the perennial conflict between human pride and divine sovereignty. God consistently calls His people to humility and obedience, recognizing that spiritual arrogance is the root of rebellion and the primary obstacle to receiving His grace and wisdom. This verse underscores the absolute authority of God's spoken word, which is not merely advisory but declarative and performative, carrying the power to both warn and to bring about its intended purpose. The call to "hear and give ear" is a foundational biblical theme, emphasizing that a humble and attentive heart is essential for true relationship with God and for walking in His ways, thereby avoiding the destructive path of self-reliance and spiritual deafness that characterized Judah.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud, Gives Grace to the Humble")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah's urgent plea to ancient Judah resonates deeply with contemporary believers. In a world saturated with information and competing voices, the divine command to "hear and give ear" is more vital than ever. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of intentional listening to God's Word, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to active, obedient engagement. Our own pride, subtly manifested in self-sufficiency, resistance to correction, or the belief that we know better than God, remains a significant barrier to spiritual growth and divine guidance. This verse calls us to a radical humility, acknowledging our dependence on God and submitting our wills to His revealed truth. When we truly believe that "the LORD hath spoken," it compels us to respond with reverence, repentance, and a readiness to align our lives with His perfect will, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of arrogance and experiencing the transformative power of His grace that transforms hearts and directs our paths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to exhibit pride, resisting God's guidance or the counsel of others?**
* **How intentionally do I "give ear" to God's Word, moving beyond casual reading to deep, obedient listening?**
* **What are the practical implications of truly believing that "the LORD hath spoken" for my daily decisions and long-term commitments?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and receptive heart, allowing God's truth to shape my thoughts and actions?**

### FAQ
**What does "be not proud" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 13:15, "be not proud" (from the Hebrew _gâbahh_) refers to a spiritual arrogance and haughtiness that characterized Judah's attitude towards God and His prophets. It's not merely about boasting, but a deeper posture of self-reliance, stubbornness, and a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty or their own sinfulness. This pride prevented them from humbling themselves, repenting, and obeying God's warnings, ultimately leading to their downfall. It implies a resistance to divine authority and a preference for their own wisdom over God's, believing they could manage without Him.

**Why is the phrase "for the LORD hath spoken" so significant?**

Answer: The phrase "for the LORD hath spoken" (Hebrew: _Yᵉhôvâh dâbar_) is a powerful declaration of divine authority and certainty. It signifies that the preceding commands and warnings are not merely Jeremiah's words or human opinions, but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This emphasizes the unchangeable nature of God's word and the inevitability of its fulfillment. It serves to underscore the gravity of the situation and the absolute necessity of a humble and obedient response, as God's word, unlike human words, will **accomplish its purpose** (`/isaiah/55-11` "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose") and **will not return empty** (`/isaiah/55-11` "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty"), ensuring its intended effect.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 13:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the humility God demands and is the very Word of God spoken into the world. While Judah was called to "hear and give ear" to the prophetic word delivered through Jeremiah, humanity's greatest need was to hear and obey the living Word, **Jesus Christ** (`/john/1-1` "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"). He is the **perfect embodiment of humility** (`/philippians/2-5-8` "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility") who, unlike proud Judah, **did not consider equality with God something to be grasped** (`/philippians/2-6` "Philippians 2:6 - Christ's Humility") but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death on a cross. The "LORD hath spoken" is supremely realized in Christ, who is the **full and final revelation of God's will and character** (`/hebrews/1-1-2` "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son"). His life, death, and resurrection are God's definitive word to humanity, calling all to **repentance and faith** (`/mark/1-15` "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel"). Through Christ, the proud can find grace and the humble can receive life, for He is the **Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world** (`/john/1-29` "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who **hear His voice and follow Him** (`/john/10-27` "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice"), leading them to eternal life.

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

Isaiah 28:14

¶ Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 28:22

Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

Revelation 2:29

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

Isaiah 42:23

Who among you will give ear to this? [who] will hearken and hear for the time to come?

Amos 7:15

And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.

Acts 4:19

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Acts 4:20

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.