Jeremiah 2:4

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

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}:

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

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

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

Jeremiah 2:4 serves as a solemn divine summons, initiating God's message to His chosen people through the prophet Jeremiah. It is a foundational call to attention before the prophet delivers a profound indictment against Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness.

Context

This verse opens a significant discourse in the book of Jeremiah, delivered during a critical period in Judah's history, likely before the final Babylonian exile. The prophet Jeremiah, often called the 'weeping prophet,' was commissioned by God to call the people of Judah (the southern kingdom, often referred to as 'the house of Jacob' or 'the house of Israel' in a broader sense, encompassing the descendants of the patriarch Jacob) back from their rampant idolatry and spiritual apostasy. God addresses the entire nation, emphasizing their collective responsibility as the covenant people, reminding them of their unique relationship established through the Exodus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Summons: The phrase "Hear ye the word of the LORD" is a powerful imperative, highlighting God's absolute authority and His demand for immediate, undivided attention. It is not a suggestion but a divine command to listen to His revelation.
  • Covenant Relationship: By addressing "O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel," God underscores His enduring relationship with His chosen people. Despite their unfaithfulness, He still identifies them by their covenant names, reminding them of their unique status, a relationship established from the time of the Exodus (see Exodus 19:5).
  • Urgency and Accountability: This opening sets a tone of urgency for the following prophetic messages, which detail Israel's spiritual decline and the dire consequences of abandoning God. It implies that what God is about to say is of utmost importance for their national and spiritual well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "Hear ye" is Sh'ma (שְׁמַע), which means more than just to perceive sound. It carries the connotation of 'listen attentively,' 'understand,' and crucially, 'obey.' This is the same root found in the famous Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4, emphasizing a call to active, obedient hearing. The phrase "the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: Davar Yahweh) signifies a direct, authoritative message originating from God Himself, not merely human wisdom or opinion. It underscores the divine inspiration behind Jeremiah's prophecy.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 2:4 serves as a timeless reminder that God continues to speak to His people. Just as ancient Israel was called to "hear the word of the LORD," so too are believers today called to diligently listen to and obey God's voice, primarily through His written word, the Bible. It's a call to spiritual attentiveness and a recognition of God's ongoing desire for a relationship with His people. This echoes the importance of keeping Christ's words in John 14:23. The consequences of ignoring His word remain significant, just as the blessings of obedience are profound for those who truly listen and respond.

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 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.

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