Jeremiah 17:20

And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

And say {H559} unto them, Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, ye kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and all Judah {H3063}, and all the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, that enter in {H935} by these gates {H8179}:

and say to them: 'Kings of Y'hudah, all Y'hudah and all living in Yerushalayim who enter through these gates, hear the word of ADONAI!

Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates.

and say unto them, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

Jeremiah 17:20 (KJV) presents a solemn divine summons delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. It sets the stage for a crucial message from God to all levels of society in ancient Judah, particularly concerning their obedience to His laws.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, just before the Babylonian exile. His ministry was characterized by urgent warnings of impending judgment due to the people's persistent idolatry and disobedience. This verse specifically addresses a broad audience: the kings of Judah, all the people of Judah, and especially the inhabitants of Jerusalem who would pass through its prominent gates. The city gates were not merely entry points; they were vital centers of public life, commerce, legal proceedings, and social interaction. Delivering the "word of the LORD" at the gates ensured maximum public exposure and underscored the gravity of the message, which in the subsequent verses (Jeremiah 17:21-27) focuses on the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Urgency: The phrase "Hear ye the word of the LORD" emphasizes that the message originates from God Himself, demanding immediate and serious attention. It's not Jeremiah's opinion but a divine decree.
  • Universal Accountability: The message is directed at "kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem." This highlights that God's laws and expectations apply to everyone, from the highest authority to the common citizen, underscoring a principle of divine impartiality.
  • Call to Obedience: While the specific command is introduced in the following verses, Jeremiah 17:20 serves as the imperative to listen and respond to God's instructions, particularly regarding the covenant.
  • Public Proclamation: The setting at the city gates signifies the public nature of sin and the need for a public call to repentance and obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "word of the LORD" is davar YHWH (דְּבַר יְהוָה), which powerfully conveys the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. The term for "gates" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar) points to their significance as communal centers where important pronouncements were made and justice was administered. This strategic location for Jeremiah's prophecy underscored the public and critical nature of God's warning.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 17:20 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us of the paramount importance of truly "hearing" God's Word – not just passively listening, but actively receiving and obeying it. This call extends to leaders, who bear a significant responsibility to govern according to God's principles, and to all individuals within society. Just as the gates of Jerusalem were a public forum, believers are called to live out their faith publicly, being a testimony to God's truth. The verse implicitly warns that societal well-being and stability are deeply intertwined with national obedience to God's commands.

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.

  • Jeremiah 19:3

    And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Psalms 49:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:

  • Psalms 49:2

    Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

  • Jeremiah 22:2

    And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

  • Amos 4:1

    ¶ Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that [are] in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.

  • Ezekiel 3:17

    Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

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