Jeremiah 25:8

¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words,

Therefore thus saith ^{H559} the LORD ^{H3068} of hosts ^{H6635}; Because ye have not heard ^{H8085} my words ^{H1697},

"Therefore, here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says: 'Because you haven't paid attention to what I've been saying,

Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words,

Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Because ye have not heard my words,

Jeremiah 25:8 serves as a direct declaration from the Lord, explaining the divine rationale behind the impending judgment on the kingdom of Judah. It underscores the critical importance of heeding God’s word and the severe consequences of persistent disobedience.

Context

This verse is part of a significant prophecy in Jeremiah 25, which details God's judgment against Judah and surrounding nations, culminating in the 70-year Babylonian captivity. Prior to this verse, Jeremiah recounts how for 23 years, from the 13th year of Josiah's reign until the fourth year of Jehoiakim, he consistently delivered God's messages, urging the people of Judah to repent and turn from their wicked ways (Jeremiah 25:3-7). Despite God's patience and persistent warnings through His prophets, the people refused to listen or obey. Verse 8 directly states that their failure to "hear" God's words is the precise reason for the coming devastation.

Key Themes

Divine Authority and Sovereignty: The title "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power and dominion over all creation, including heavenly armies and earthly nations. It highlights that this is not merely a suggestion, but a decree from the ultimate authority.
Consequences of Disobedience: The verse establishes a clear cause-and-effect relationship: persistent failure to heed God's commands inevitably leads to divine judgment and suffering. This is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, where blessings are tied to obedience and curses to disobedience (see Deuteronomy 28).
God's Justice and Patience: While the judgment is severe, it is presented as a just response to prolonged rebellion and a refusal to repent despite repeated warnings. God's patience had reached its limit, and His justice required action.

Linguistic Insights

"LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth): This powerful divine title underscores God's omnipotence and His command over all forces, both spiritual and physical. It often appears in contexts of divine judgment, warfare, or when God is acting decisively in history.
"have not heard my words": The Hebrew word for "heard" (shama) implies much more than just auditory reception. In a biblical context, to "hear" God's words often means to listen attentively, understand, obey, and take to heart. Thus, their failure was not merely a lack of information, but a deliberate refusal to obey God's commands and live according to His will.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:8 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of actively listening to and obeying God's word. Just as ancient Judah faced consequences for their spiritual deafness, individuals and nations today can experience negative outcomes when they disregard divine principles. The Bible provides clear guidance for life, and being "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22) is crucial for spiritual well-being and blessing. This verse calls us to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are truly hearing and heeding the Lord's instructions in our daily lives.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.