Jeremiah 21:11

And touching the house of the king of Judah, [say], Hear ye the word of the LORD;

And touching the house {H1004} of the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, say, Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068};

"To the royal house of Y'hudah say: 'Hear the word of ADONAI;

Moreover, tell the house of the king of Judah to hear the word of the LORD.

And touching the house of the king of Judah, hear ye the word of Jehovah:

Jeremiah 21:11 serves as a direct, urgent, and authoritative message from the Lord, delivered through the prophet Jeremiah, specifically to the royal household of Judah during a critical period in its history.

Context

This verse is part of a larger oracle in Jeremiah chapter 21, where King Zedekiah of Judah sends messengers to Jeremiah, inquiring of the Lord about the ongoing siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah hoped for a miraculous intervention, similar to past deliverances. However, Jeremiah's response is one of severe divine judgment. Instead of a message of salvation, the Lord declares He is fighting against Jerusalem due to its persistent sin and rebellion. Verse 11 specifically targets the "house of the king of Judah," emphasizing that even the highest authority is under God's scrutiny and subject to His word.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority Over Rulers: The verse powerfully asserts that God's word transcends human power, even that of kings. The royal house is commanded to "Hear ye the word of the LORD," underscoring that their authority is subordinate to God's.
  • Accountability of Leadership: This passage highlights the immense responsibility and accountability of those in positions of power. The actions and obedience (or disobedience) of the king and his household directly impacted the fate of the entire nation of Judah. For another perspective on righteous leadership, see Proverbs 29:2.
  • Urgency of Obedience: The imperative "Hear ye" (Hebrew: Shim'u) conveys a strong command to listen and act. In a time of national crisis and impending doom, God's message was not a suggestion but a final, urgent call for the leaders to align themselves with His will.
  • Prophetic Imperative: Jeremiah's role as God's messenger is clear. He is to deliver an unpopular truth, regardless of the consequences, demonstrating the prophet's duty to speak God's unvarnished word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Hear ye the word of the LORD" is a common prophetic formula in the Old Testament. In Hebrew, it is Shim'u devar Yahweh (שִׁמְעוּ דְבַר יְהוָה). The word Shim'u is an imperative plural, meaning "Listen!" or "Obey!" It's not merely about intellectual reception but about active, obedient hearing. This emphasizes the authoritative and demanding nature of God's communication, especially to those in leadership positions who were failing to uphold His covenant.

Practical Application

The message of Jeremiah 21:11 remains profoundly relevant today. It serves as a reminder that all authority, whether in government, business, or the church, is ultimately accountable to God. Leaders are called to prioritize and obey divine principles, as their decisions have far-reaching consequences for those they lead. For individuals, the command to "Hear ye the word of the LORD" is a perpetual call to live in active obedience to God's will, understanding that true wisdom and security come from aligning our lives with His unchanging truth. Our spiritual well-being, much like Judah's national destiny, hinges on our willingness to truly hear and obey God's voice.

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 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:

  • Micah 3:1

    ¶ And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; [Is it] not for you to know judgment?

  • Jeremiah 13:18

    Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, [even] the crown of your glory.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back