Jeremiah 26:5

To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending [them], but ye have not hearkened;

To hearken {H8085} to the words {H1697} of my servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}, whom I sent {H7971} unto you, both rising up early {H7925}, and sending {H7971} them, but ye have not hearkened {H8085};

and listen to what my servants the prophets, whom I send to you, say - I have sent them frequently, but you haven't listened -

and if you do not listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have sent you again and again even though you did not listen,

to hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send unto you, even rising up early and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;

Context of Jeremiah 26:5

Jeremiah 26:5 is part of a crucial sermon delivered by the prophet Jeremiah in the temple court during the early reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah (circa 609-598 BC). This passage immediately precedes Jeremiah's arrest and trial for prophesying destruction upon Jerusalem and the Temple. The verse highlights God's persistent and compassionate efforts to warn His people, Judah, through a long line of prophets. Despite generations of divine warnings about their idolatry, social injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness, the people of Judah had largely refused to listen and obey, setting the stage for the impending Babylonian exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Persistence and Patience: The phrase "rising up early, and sending [them]" powerfully illustrates God's tireless diligence and unwavering commitment to His people, repeatedly sending messengers to call them to repentance.
  • The Role of Prophets: This verse underscores the essential function of the prophets as God's "servants," His direct spokespersons who delivered His word, warnings, and calls to obedience to the nation of Israel.
  • Human Disobedience and Stubbornness: The core problem articulated is Judah's consistent refusal to "hearken" or obey God's repeated warnings. This chronic disobedience is presented as the primary reason for the coming judgment.
  • Call to Repentance: Implicit in God's persistent sending of prophets is a continuous opportunity for the people to turn from their wicked ways and avert disaster.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "hearken" is shama (שָׁמַע), which means more than just to hear audibly. It implies listening attentively with the intent to understand and obey. It's a foundational concept in the Old Testament covenant, signifying a responsive and obedient heart. The idiom "rising up early, and sending [them]" (הַשְׁכִּים וְשָׁלֹחַ, hashkim v'shaloach) is a vivid expression found frequently in Jeremiah and other prophetic books. It conveys God's earnestness, diligence, and tireless effort in communicating with His people, emphasizing that He left no stone unturned in His attempts to bring them back to Himself.

Related Scriptures

This verse reflects a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament: God's persistent efforts to communicate with His people. The phrase "rising up early, and sending [them]" is echoed in other prophetic books, emphasizing God's compassionate persistence, such as in 2 Chronicles 36:15, which states, "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:". The failure to "hearken" to God's voice ultimately led to severe consequences, as outlined in the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:15 and subsequent verses, where disobedience brings judgment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 26:5 serves as a timeless reminder of God's patient and persistent communication with humanity. For believers today, it challenges us to consider how diligently we are "hearkening" to God's word, whether through the Scriptures, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of spiritual leaders. God still speaks, and our willingness to listen and obey is crucial. This verse also highlights the serious consequences of ignoring divine warnings, encouraging us to embrace repentance and obedience in our lives. It reminds us that God's desire is always for our good, even when His message involves correction or warning.

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 11:7

    For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

  • Jeremiah 25:3

    From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that [is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

  • Jeremiah 25:4

    And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them]; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

  • 2 Kings 9:7

    And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

  • Jeremiah 7:25

    Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]:

  • Jeremiah 7:13

    And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

  • Ezra 9:11

    Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

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