Jeremiah 18:19

KJV

Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Give heed {H7181} to me, O LORD {H3068}, and hearken {H8085} to the voice {H6963} of them that contend {H3401} with me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pay attention to me, ADONAI! Listen to what my opponents are saying!

Berean Standard Bible

Attend to me, O LORD. Hear what my accusers are saying!

American Standard Version

Give heed to me, O Jehovah, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:19 is a poignant and urgent prayer from the prophet Jeremiah to the LORD, born out of profound personal distress and the relentless opposition he faced for faithfully delivering God's unpopular message. In this desperate plea, Jeremiah appeals for God's attentive ear and active intervention against his adversaries who are actively plotting and contending against him, implicitly seeking divine justice and vindication in the face of malicious schemes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 18 begins with the powerful metaphor of [the potter and the clay](/jeremiah/18-1 "Jeremiah 18:1 - The Potter's House Analogy"), illustrating God's sovereign right to shape nations based on their obedience or disobedience. God declares His willingness to relent from judgment if a nation repents, but warns Judah of impending destruction due to their persistent idolatry and refusal to turn from their evil ways, as highlighted in their defiant response in [Jeremiah 18:12](/jeremiah/18-12 "Jeremiah 18:12 - Judah's Refusal to Repent"). Immediately preceding verse 19, Jeremiah's enemies—priests, wise men, and prophets—conspire against him, seeking to silence his prophetic voice and discredit his message, even proposing to attack him with their tongues and disregard his words ([Jeremiah 18:18](/jeremiah/18-18 "Jeremiah 18:18 - The Plot Against Jeremiah")). This verse, therefore, is a direct, personal lament and appeal to God, a raw expression of the prophet's vulnerability and reliance on divine intervention in a moment of intense crisis and unfair accusation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last five kings before the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). This era was marked by political instability, religious apostasy, and the looming threat of foreign invasion. Prophets like Jeremiah often faced immense opposition, not only from the populace but also from the religious and political establishment, who preferred comforting lies over God's challenging truth. The "contention" mentioned in the verse likely refers to both verbal opposition and active plots, possibly even legal or social accusations, aimed at discrediting or eliminating Jeremiah. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a prophet's authority was often challenged by false prophets or those who simply disliked the message, making divine vindication crucial for the prophet's credibility and survival. Jeremiah's experience reflects the broader cultural struggle between true prophecy and popular, often idolatrous, sentiment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **prophetic suffering and lament**, as Jeremiah frequently pours out his heart to God in distress, a motif seen throughout his book (e.g., [Jeremiah 15:10-21](/jeremiah/15-10 "Jeremiah 15:10-21 - Jeremiah's Lament and God's Response")). Secondly, it highlights the **sovereignty and attentiveness of God**, as Jeremiah appeals to the LORD as the ultimate arbiter of justice, trusting that God hears and responds to the cries of His faithful servants, even amidst severe public opposition. Thirdly, the verse touches upon the theme of **divine justice and vindication**, as Jeremiah implicitly seeks God's intervention against those who maliciously "contend" with him, appealing for God to acknowledge the injustice he suffers and to act on his behalf. This plea for divine intervention against oppressors is a common thread in biblical prayers, echoing sentiments found in many of the [Psalms](/psalms/35 "Psalm 35 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give heed (Hebrew, _qâshab'_):** From H7181, a primitive root meaning "to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken." It implies an active, intentional listening, an inclination of the ear to pay close attention. Jeremiah is not merely asking God to hear, but to listen with focused attention, indicating the urgency and gravity of his situation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, derived from הָיָה (hayah), meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal." This is the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness and His eternal, unchanging nature. Addressing God as "LORD" (Yahweh) underscores Jeremiah's reliance on God's covenant promises and His absolute power to intervene.
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, a primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." While `qâshab` emphasizes the act of listening, `shâmaʻ` often carries the connotation of hearing with the intent to understand and respond, or even to obey. Jeremiah desires not just a hearing, but a responsive action from God.
* **contend (Hebrew, _yârîyb'_):** From H3401, derived from רִיב (riv), meaning "literally he will contend." It is an adjective used as a noun, meaning "contentious" or "an adversary." This term denotes someone engaged in a legal dispute, a quarrel, or a striving. It suggests that Jeremiah's enemies are not simply disagreeing but are actively engaged in a hostile, perhaps even litigious, effort to harm him or undermine his prophetic ministry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Give heed to me, O LORD":** This opening phrase is an earnest and direct appeal to God. "Give heed" (qâshab) conveys a desperate plea for God's undivided attention, as if Jeremiah is asking God to incline His ear specifically to his urgent cry. The address "O LORD" (Yahweh) invokes God's covenant name, appealing to His faithfulness and omnipotence as the one who hears and acts on behalf of His people. It reflects Jeremiah's absolute dependence on divine intervention.
* **"and hearken to the voice":** This clause reinforces the previous plea, using "hearken" (shâmaʻ), which often implies not just passive hearing but active listening with a view to understanding and responding. Jeremiah desires God not only to perceive his words but to engage with his situation deeply. The "voice" here refers to Jeremiah's own desperate cry and lament, a verbal expression of his inner turmoil and the injustice he faces.
* **"of them that contend with me":** This specifies the source of Jeremiah's distress: his adversaries. The term "contend" (yârîyb) suggests a legal or adversarial dispute, implying that his enemies are actively engaged in a hostile campaign against him, possibly through false accusations, plots, or public vilification. Jeremiah is asking God to listen not only to his own plea but also to the malicious intentions and actions of those who oppose him, implicitly calling for divine judgment or intervention against them.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:19 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey the prophet's emotional state and his desperate appeal. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, where Jeremiah directly addresses God ("O LORD"), a non-present or abstract entity, as if He were present and capable of hearing and responding. This direct address underscores the personal and intimate nature of Jeremiah's prayer. There is also a strong element of **Lament**, a common genre in biblical literature, where an individual expresses deep sorrow, distress, and a plea for divine intervention in the face of suffering or injustice. The repetition of synonyms "Give heed" (qâshab) and "hearken" (shâmaʻ) creates a form of **Parallelism** (specifically, synonymous parallelism), intensifying the prophet's plea for God's attentive and responsive ear. This rhetorical emphasis highlights the urgency and desperation of Jeremiah's situation, as he seeks not just a casual hearing but a profound, active engagement from the Almighty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:19 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth that God is attentive to the cries of His faithful servants, particularly when they suffer unjustly for His name's sake. It underscores the prophet's reliance on divine justice rather than self-vindication, trusting that the LORD sees and hears all, even the hidden plots of adversaries. This prayer is a testament to the intimate relationship between God and His prophets, where personal anguish is laid bare before the Sovereign Lord. The verse reminds believers that in times of opposition or persecution, our ultimate recourse is to the God who is both omniscient and just, the one who will ultimately set all things right.

* [Psalm 7:1-2](/psalms/7-1 "Psalm 7:1-2 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors")
* [Psalm 35:1-2](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1-2 - David's Prayer for Vindication")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:19 offers a timeless model for believers facing opposition, misunderstanding, or persecution for their faith. Like Jeremiah, we are called to bring our burdens, especially when facing unfair criticism, false accusations, or hostility due to our commitment to God's truth, directly and earnestly to the LORD in prayer. This verse reminds us that God is our ultimate refuge, defender, and advocate, who not only hears our cries but also perceives the intentions of our adversaries. It encourages us to cultivate a deep reliance on divine justice, trusting that even when circumstances seem unjust or our enemies appear to gain the upper hand, God sees, hears, and will ultimately bring about justice in His perfect timing. Our role is to persevere in speaking and living out God's truth, even when it draws contention or makes us unpopular, leaving the outcome and vindication to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "contended with" for your faith or convictions?**
* **How does Jeremiah's raw honesty in prayer encourage you to bring your own struggles and laments before God?**
* **What does this verse teach you about trusting God's justice when circumstances seem unfair?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper sense of God's attentiveness in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jeremiah ask God to "hearken to the voice of them that contend with me"?**

Answer: Jeremiah is not asking God to listen to his enemies' arguments with approval, but rather to acknowledge their malicious intentions and plots. By asking God to "hearken to the voice of them that contend with me," Jeremiah is appealing to God as the righteous judge. He wants God to fully perceive the injustice and the hostile schemes being devised against him, so that God might intervene and bring about justice. It's a plea for divine awareness of the opposition, leading to divine vindication for Jeremiah and judgment for his adversaries, as seen in many [Psalms of lament](/psalms/59 "Psalm 59 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies").

**What does this verse teach us about the nature of prayer, especially in times of distress?**

Answer: This verse teaches us that prayer can and should be deeply honest and vulnerable. Jeremiah pours out his heart, expressing his distress and appealing directly to God's attentiveness and justice. It shows that in times of distress, believers can confidently bring their pain, their accusations, and their need for vindication before the LORD, trusting that He is the one who "gives heed" and "hearkens" to the cries of His faithful. It underscores the importance of persistent prayer and absolute reliance on God's sovereignty when facing human opposition, echoing the sentiment that we should "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" ([1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast Your Anxiety on Him")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's plea in [Jeremiah 18:19](/jeremiah/18-19 "Jeremiah 18:19 - Jeremiah's Prayer for Vindication") finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Like Jeremiah, Jesus was a prophet who delivered God's unpopular truth, facing relentless contention and malicious plots from those who opposed Him. The religious leaders and authorities "contended" with Him, seeking to discredit His message and ultimately to silence Him, just as they plotted against Jeremiah ([Matthew 26:59-66](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-66 - The Jewish Leaders Plot Against Jesus")). Jesus, too, poured out His heart to His Father in prayer, especially in moments of intense suffering and opposition, as seen in His agonizing prayer in [Gethsemane](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"). The Father "gave heed" and "hearkened" to Jesus's voice, not by removing the suffering, but by empowering Him to endure and ultimately raising Him from the dead, thereby vindicating Him against all His adversaries ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). Through Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, God demonstrated His perfect justice and established the ultimate victory over all contention and evil. Believers, united with Christ, can therefore trust that when they suffer for righteousness' sake, their cries are heard, and their ultimate vindication is secured in the one who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcome the World")).

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

Nehemiah 6:9

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God], strengthen my hands.

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD [shall be] a light unto me.

Psalms 55:16

¶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

Psalms 55:17

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Jeremiah 20:12

But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, [and] seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.

Psalms 109:28

Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

2 Kings 19:16

LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.