Jeremiah 2:4

KJV

Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

KJV (with Strong's)

Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, O house {H1004} of Jacob {H3290}, and all the families {H4940} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Hear the word of ADONAI, house of Ya'akov and all families in the house of Isra'el;

Berean Standard Bible

Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all you families of the house of Israel.

American Standard Version

Hear ye the word of Jehovah, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 2:4 serves as a solemn and authoritative divine summons, initiating God's profound indictment against the nation of Israel through His prophet Jeremiah. This verse functions as a foundational call to attention, demanding the undivided hearing of God's covenant people before the prophet delivers a comprehensive message detailing their spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and the impending consequences of their apostasy. It underscores the Lord's enduring claim over His chosen nation despite their rebellion, emphasizing His sovereign right to speak and their inherent obligation to listen and obey.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 2:4 marks the beginning of a significant prophetic discourse that extends through much of chapters 2 and 3. Following the introductory verses of [chapter 1](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah 1 - Jeremiah's Call and Commission"), which establish Jeremiah's call and commission as a prophet to the nations, this verse immediately plunges into the core message directed at Judah. It serves as a direct address from Yahweh to His people, setting a formal and weighty tone for the accusations and laments that follow. The [subsequent verses](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Spiritual Decline") elaborate on Israel's spiritual decline, contrasting their present idolatry with their initial devotion during the Exodus, thereby highlighting the severity of their apostasy. This opening imperative, "Hear ye the word of the LORD," is a common prophetic formula, signaling that what follows is not human opinion but a direct divine revelation, demanding immediate and serious consideration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BCE). This era was characterized by political instability, shifting alliances with regional powers (Egypt and Babylon), and, most significantly, rampant religious apostasy within Judah. Despite Josiah's earlier reforms, idolatry, syncretism, and social injustice were deeply entrenched. The "house of Jacob" and "families of the house of Israel" refer to the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, primarily the southern kingdom of Judah at this time, though the language often evokes the broader historical identity of the twelve tribes. The [covenant established at Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Covenant with Israel") was foundational to their identity, obligating them to exclusive loyalty to Yahweh. Jeremiah's message, therefore, is delivered against a backdrop of covenant infidelity, where the people had abandoned their divine husband for foreign gods, mimicking the [spiritual adultery described throughout the book](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - Israel's Unfaithfulness").

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 2:4 introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it establishes the theme of **Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, as God, the LORD, issues a direct command, asserting His right to speak to His people and demand their attention. Secondly, it highlights the **Covenant Relationship** between Yahweh and Israel, emphasizing their unique status as His chosen "house" and "families." Despite their unfaithfulness, God still addresses them by their covenant names, underscoring the enduring nature of His commitment even as He calls them to account for their broken vows. Thirdly, the verse sets a tone of **Urgency and Accountability**, signaling that the subsequent messages will detail serious charges and consequences for their spiritual rebellion. The call to "hear" implies an expectation of obedience, and the failure to do so will lead to divine judgment, a recurring motif throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies concerning the impending exile and destruction of Jerusalem](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This word (H8085), often transliterated as "Shema," signifies far more than merely perceiving sound. It implies an intelligent, attentive hearing that leads to understanding and, crucially, obedience. It is a call to listen with the intent to act, reflecting a deep engagement with the speaker's message. In this context, it is an imperative, demanding active and responsive listening from the audience.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr_):** From H1697, _dâbâr_ refers to a spoken utterance, a message, or a decree. It carries the weight of authority and intention, distinguishing it from mere sound. When paired with "of the LORD," it signifies a direct, authoritative revelation from God Himself, not human wisdom or opinion. It encompasses not just the verbal message but also the underlying matter, affair, or purpose that the word conveys.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith_):** From H1004, _bayith_ denotes a dwelling, but in this context, it extends beyond a physical structure to represent a family, household, or even a nation. When used as "house of Jacob" or "house of Israel," it refers to the collective descendants of the patriarch, embodying their national and covenantal identity. It emphasizes their familial and communal relationship with God, established through their shared lineage and history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Hear ye the word of the LORD":** This opening clause is a powerful, direct imperative. "Hear ye" (שְׁמַעוּ, _sh'ma'u_) is a plural command, addressed to the entire nation. It is not a suggestion but a divine summons, demanding their full attention and responsive obedience. "The word of the LORD" (דְּבַר יְהוָה, _d'var YHWH_) identifies the source and nature of the message: it is a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This phrase underscores the divine origin and infallible truthfulness of Jeremiah's prophecy.
* **"O house of Jacob":** This is a direct address, an apostrophe, singling out the recipients of the divine message. "House of Jacob" refers to the entire nation of Israel, encompassing all descendants of the patriarch Jacob. It evokes their historical and covenantal identity, reminding them of their unique relationship with God established through their ancestor and the subsequent Exodus. This phrase serves to personalize the divine address, calling the nation by its foundational name.
* **"and all the families of the house of Israel":** This phrase functions as a parallel to "O house of Jacob," reinforcing and broadening the scope of the address. "Families" (מִשְׁפָּחֹת, _mishpachot_) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the summons, extending to every segment and individual within the nation. "House of Israel" is another common designation for the covenant people, often used interchangeably with "house of Jacob." The parallelism ensures that no one is excluded from this divine imperative to hear and heed the Lord's message.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 2:4 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Imperative** verb "Hear ye," which immediately establishes the authoritative and demanding tone of the divine address. This is not a gentle invitation but a direct command, underscoring the gravity of what is about to be revealed. Coupled with this is **Apostrophe**, a direct address to an absent or personified entity, in this case, "O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel." This rhetorical device makes the message intensely personal and inescapable for the intended audience. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, in the phrases "O house of Jacob" and "and all the families of the house of Israel." These two phrases convey essentially the same idea—the entire nation of Israel—but use different wording to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the divine summons, ensuring that every individual and household understands they are included in this call to hear.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 2:4 stands as a foundational statement of divine communication and human responsibility within the biblical narrative. It reiterates the consistent biblical theme that God speaks to His people and expects a response of attentive obedience. This initial call to "hear the word of the LORD" is not merely about auditory perception but about spiritual receptivity and covenant faithfulness. The subsequent chapters of Jeremiah reveal that Israel's failure to truly "hear" (i.e., to obey) God's word led to their spiritual decline and eventual judgment. This principle is deeply embedded in the Old Testament, where hearing and obeying God's voice is paramount to life and blessing, while disobedience leads to curses and destruction. The verse also highlights God's enduring commitment to His covenant people, even in their unfaithfulness, as He continues to address them by their covenant names, "house of Jacob" and "house of Israel," before delivering His indictment.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [Isaiah 1:2](/isaiah/1-2 "Isaiah 1:2 - God's Complaint Against Rebellious Israel")
* [Hosea 4:1](/hosea/4-1 "Hosea 4:1 - The Lord's Case Against Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 2:4 serves as a timeless and poignant reminder for believers today: God still speaks, and we are still called to "hear His word." In a world filled with noise and distractions, the imperative to listen attentively to the voice of the Lord is as crucial as ever. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment of Scripture to a posture of deep spiritual receptivity and active obedience. It compels us to examine our own lives: Are we truly listening to God's word as revealed in the Bible, or are we allowing the clamor of the world, our own desires, or the opinions of others to drown out His voice? Just as ancient Israel was called to remember their covenant identity, we too are called to live consistently with our identity as God's redeemed people, remembering that true hearing culminates in transformed living. Our spiritual well-being, both individually and corporately, hinges on our willingness to heed the divine summons and align our lives with the truth of His authoritative word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it truly mean for me to "hear the word of the LORD" in my daily life, beyond simply reading the Bible?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be failing to "hear" or obey God's clear instructions?**
* **How does my identity as a part of God's spiritual "house" (the Church) inform my responsibility to listen to His word?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more attentive and obedient heart towards God's voice?**

### FAQ
**Why does God address "the house of Jacob" and "the house of Israel" if He is speaking to Judah?**

Answer: While Jeremiah's immediate audience was the southern kingdom of Judah, the terms "house of Jacob" and "house of Israel" are ancient, foundational names for the entire covenant people, encompassing all descendants of the patriarch Jacob. By using these broader, historical designations, God emphasizes the continuity of His covenant relationship with the entire nation, even after the division into northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. It serves as a reminder of their shared heritage, their collective responsibility under the covenant, and the comprehensive scope of God's judgment and eventual restoration. The language evokes the unity of God's chosen people throughout history, underscoring that the principles of covenant faithfulness apply to all who bear the name of Israel, regardless of their current political division. This broad address also highlights the severity of Judah's sin, as they, like their northern brethren, had strayed from the path of faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 2:4, with its imperative to "Hear ye the word of the LORD," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not merely a prophet who delivers God's word, but He is the [very Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the definitive revelation of God Himself. The call to "hear" in the Old Testament anticipates the New Testament's repeated exhortation to [listen to Jesus](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - Listen to Him!"), for He speaks the [words of eternal life](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Peter's Confession"). Where ancient Israel often failed to truly hear and obey the prophets, those who hear and believe in Christ are given the [power to become children of God](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Receiving Christ"). The "house of Jacob" and "families of the house of Israel" are now, in Christ, expanded to include all who are united to Him by faith, forming a new spiritual Israel, the Church, which is the [household of God](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints"). Thus, the divine summons to hear God's word is perfectly embodied and eternally fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus, the Living Word, [whose voice calls all humanity to repentance, faith, and life in Him](/revelation/3-20 "Revelation 3:20 - Jesus Stands at the Door").

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

Jeremiah 33:24

Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, he hath even cast them off? thus they have despised my people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

Isaiah 51:1

¶ Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock [whence] ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] ye are digged.

Isaiah 51:4

¶ Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

Jeremiah 5:21

Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

Jeremiah 34:4

Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah; Thus saith the LORD of thee, Thou shalt not die by the sword:

Hosea 4:1

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Jeremiah 13:15

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