Jeremiah 28:7

KJV

Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless hear {H8085} thou now this word {H1697} that I speak {H1696} in thine ears {H241}, and in the ears {H241} of all the people {H5971};

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, listen now to this word that I am speaking for you to hear and for all the people to hear.

Berean Standard Bible

Nevertheless, listen now to this message I am speaking in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.

American Standard Version

Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:7 serves as a solemn and urgent call to attention from the prophet Jeremiah, delivered publicly to Hananiah and all the gathered people of Judah. Amidst a dramatic confrontation with a false prophet who offers comforting but deceptive promises of imminent deliverance, Jeremiah interjects with a profound command to "hear" the true word of the Lord. This verse acts as a crucial pivot, demanding careful discernment and setting the stage for Jeremiah's definitive refutation of Hananiah's false prophecy and the subsequent revelation of God's authentic, albeit challenging, message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 28:7 is strategically positioned within a direct prophetic confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah in Jerusalem, specifically following Hananiah's popular but false prophecy of a swift end to Babylonian captivity and the return of the temple vessels and King Jeconiah within two years ([Jeremiah 28:2-4](/jeremiah/28-2 "Jeremiah 28:2-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). Jeremiah's initial, somewhat reserved response in [Jeremiah 28:6](/jeremiah/28-6 "Jeremiah 28:6 - Jeremiah's Initial Response") expresses a desire for peace but implicitly challenges the veracity of Hananiah's words. Verse 7 marks Jeremiah's shift from a hopeful, albeit cautious, affirmation to a direct, authoritative demand for attention, preparing the audience for the true prophetic word that will expose Hananiah's deception. The subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 28:8-9](/jeremiah/28-8 "Jeremiah 28:8-9 - The Test of a True Prophet")) then lay out the criteria for distinguishing true prophecy from false, culminating in Jeremiah's pronouncement of judgment upon Hananiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This confrontation unfolds in Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah, likely around 594-593 BC, a period of immense national anxiety and political instability. Judah was a vassal state under Babylonian dominion, and many, including the exiled King Jeconiah and prominent citizens, had already been deported to Babylon. The people yearned for liberation, making Hananiah's message of swift deliverance highly appealing and popular. Jeremiah, however, had consistently prophesied a long period of Babylonian subservience as divine judgment for Judah's sin, urging submission to Babylon as God's will ([Jeremiah 27:1-11](/jeremiah/27-1 "Jeremiah 27:1-11 - Jeremiah's Yoke Prophecy")). In this cultural milieu, prophets played a crucial role in interpreting divine will, and the public square was often the arena for such prophetic duels. The challenge was not just theological but deeply political, influencing national policy and public morale. The setting emphasizes the critical need for discernment in a time when false hope could lead to disastrous rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [Jeremiah 28:7](/jeremiah/28-7 "Jeremiah 28:7 - Jeremiah's Call to Hear") is the **discernment of true and false prophecy**. Jeremiah's emphatic call to "hear" highlights the profound importance of listening attentively and critically to messages claiming divine origin. This confrontation also brings to the forefront the **nature of God's word** – its authority, its often challenging and unpopular nature, and its ultimate fulfillment. In contrast to Hananiah's comforting lies, Jeremiah's message, though difficult, is presented as the authentic and binding word of Yahweh. Furthermore, the public nature of this exchange, "in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people," emphasizes the **public accountability of prophets** and the **corporate responsibility of the community** to test prophetic claims. This verse sets the stage for the crucial test of a true prophet, which is the fulfillment of their prophecy, as articulated in [Jeremiah 28:9](/jeremiah/28-9 "Jeremiah 28:9 - The Fulfillment Test").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) This primitive root carries a much deeper meaning than mere auditory perception. It implies intelligent hearing, often with the crucial implication of attention, understanding, and obedience. When Jeremiah commands, "hear," he is not simply asking for sound waves to register in the ears but for the audience's minds and hearts to be engaged, to comprehend the message, and ultimately, to respond in accordance with its truth. It's a call to active, discerning reception.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) Derived from the root "to speak" (dâbar, H1696), this noun encompasses not just a spoken utterance but also a matter, a thing, a message, a decree, or even an affair. In this context, "this word" (ha-davar ha-zeh) refers specifically to the authentic prophetic message that Jeremiah is about to deliver, contrasting sharply with Hananiah's "words" (which are not God's true _dâbâr_). It signifies a weighty, authoritative communication from God, not just casual speech.
* **ears (Hebrew, _ʼôzen'_):** (H241) Referring to the physical organ of hearing, "ears" here metaphorically represents the audience's capacity for reception and understanding. The repetition of "in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people" emphasizes the public nature of the confrontation and the universal call to attention. It signifies that the message is intended for direct, personal, and public reception, leaving no room for misunderstanding or evasion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless hear thou now this word":** This opening phrase functions as a strong interjection, a rhetorical pivot from Hananiah's recent pronouncements. "Nevertheless" signals a direct contradiction or a crucial counter-point. "Hear thou now" is an urgent, imperative command, demanding immediate and focused attention. "This word" specifically refers to the divine message Jeremiah is about to convey, distinguishing it from any other words, particularly Hananiah's. It sets the stage for a solemn and authoritative declaration.
* **"that I speak in thine ears":** This clause directly addresses Hananiah, indicating that Jeremiah's message is first and foremost a direct challenge and warning to the false prophet himself. The phrase "in thine ears" emphasizes the personal and inescapable nature of the confrontation, ensuring Hananiah cannot claim ignorance of Jeremiah's rebuttal.
* **"and in the ears of all the people;":** This expands the audience beyond Hananiah to include the entire gathered populace. It highlights the public nature of prophetic ministry and accountability. The message is not private counsel but a public declaration intended for the discernment and understanding of the entire community, underscoring the gravity and public consequences of both true and false prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 28:7 employs several powerful literary devices to underscore its significance. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as Jeremiah directly confronts Hananiah ("thine ears") and the entire assembly ("all the people"). This immediate and personal engagement heightens the drama and urgency of the moment. **Repetition** is also key, with the phrase "in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people" emphasizing the public and inescapable nature of Jeremiah's message. This rhetorical emphasis ensures that no one present can ignore the gravity of the words spoken. Furthermore, the verse functions as an instance of **Rhetorical Emphasis**, using the imperative "hear thou now" to command immediate and profound attention, signaling a critical turning point in the narrative where truth is about to be unveiled in contrast to prevailing falsehood. The entire verse serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the criteria for true prophecy that Jeremiah will articulate in the subsequent verses, preparing the audience to evaluate the words not by their popularity, but by their divine origin and future fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 28:7 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine communication and human responsibility. It underscores that God's word, even when unpopular or challenging, demands attentive and obedient hearing. In a world saturated with competing voices and comforting falsehoods, this verse calls believers to a rigorous discernment, recognizing that not all pronouncements claiming divine authority are truly from God. It highlights the critical difference between human desires and divine truth, emphasizing that genuine prophecy aligns with God's established character and purposes, often requiring difficult choices and steadfast endurance rather than offering immediate gratification. The public nature of Jeremiah's address also speaks to the corporate responsibility of the community to test and uphold the integrity of God's word, guarding against deception that can lead to spiritual and national peril.

* [Deuteronomy 18:21-22](/deuteronomy/18-21 "Deuteronomy 18:21-22 - Test of a True Prophet")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")
* [Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Acts 17:11 - The Bereans' Discernment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In an era of abundant information and diverse voices, the command to "hear" in Jeremiah 28:7 resonates with profound relevance for contemporary believers. We are constantly bombarded with messages, some claiming spiritual authority, others offering easy solutions or comforting narratives. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of active, discerning listening, not merely to the words themselves, but to the spirit and source behind them. Just as the people of Judah had to choose between Hananiah's popular but false hope and Jeremiah's unpopular but true word, we too must critically evaluate all teachings against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word, the Bible. This requires spiritual maturity, a deep grounding in Scripture, and a willingness to embrace truth even when it contradicts our preferences or societal norms. Our spiritual well-being and the integrity of the church depend on our collective and individual commitment to hearing and heeding the authentic voice of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively "hear" God's Word in my daily life, beyond just passive listening?**
* **What are the "Hananiahs" in my life or culture that offer comforting but ultimately false hopes, and how do I discern them?**
* **Am I more inclined to seek messages that affirm my desires or those that challenge me towards God's truth, even if difficult?**
* **What steps can I take to improve my spiritual discernment and better test the messages I encounter?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jeremiah saying "Nevertheless hear thou now this word"?**

Answer: This phrase is highly significant because it marks a dramatic pivot in the confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah. "Nevertheless" signals a direct counter-statement, a turning point from Hananiah's optimistic, but false, prophecy to Jeremiah's divinely authorized and often challenging truth. The imperative "hear thou now" is an urgent command for immediate and focused attention, not just from Hananiah, but from all the people present. It underscores that what Jeremiah is about to say is the true "word" (`dâbâr`) of the Lord, distinguishing it from human presumption and setting the stage for a solemn and authoritative declaration that demands careful discernment and obedience.

**Why was it important for Jeremiah to speak "in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people"?**

Answer: The public nature of Jeremiah's address was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensured **public accountability** for both prophets. Hananiah's prophecy was public, and therefore, its refutation needed to be equally public to counteract the false hope he was spreading. Secondly, it emphasized the **gravity of the prophetic word**. Prophecy was not a private matter but a declaration with national implications, affecting the lives and decisions of all the people. By speaking to everyone, Jeremiah underscored the collective responsibility of the community to discern and respond to God's true message. This public setting also provided a clear contrast between the true prophet, who boldly declared God's unpopular truth, and the false prophet, who offered popular but deceptive comfort. It was a public test of who truly spoke for Yahweh, a test that would ultimately be proven by the fulfillment of their words, as noted in [Jeremiah 28:9](/jeremiah/28-9 "Jeremiah 28:9 - The Fulfillment Test").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 28:7, with its urgent call to "hear" the true word of God amidst conflicting voices, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the **Word Incarnate** ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the supreme and final revelation of God, transcending all prophetic utterances. While Jeremiah called the people to hear a specific message from God, Jesus *is* the message, the very embodiment of God's truth and will. He is the **ultimate Prophet** ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet like Moses")), whose words are not merely inspired but are life-giving and eternal ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")). In contrast to Hananiah, who offered comforting lies, Jesus consistently spoke the challenging truth, calling for repentance and radical discipleship, even when it was unpopular or led to suffering ([Matthew 10:34-39](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34-39 - Not Peace, but a Sword")). The call to "hear" in Jeremiah finds its echo in Jesus' frequent refrain, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" ([Matthew 11:15](/matthew/11-15 "Matthew 11:15 - He Who Has Ears to Hear")), urging a deep, transformative reception of His teachings. To truly "hear" God's word today is to hear and obey the voice of Christ, the one through whom God has spoken definitively to us in these last days ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). He is the true fulfillment of all prophecy, and His words alone bring salvation and eternal life.

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

1 Kings 22:28

And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.