Jeremiah 32:33

KJV

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they have turned {H6437} unto me the back {H6203}, and not the face {H6440}: though I taught {H3925} them, rising up early {H7925} and teaching {H3925} them, yet they have not hearkened {H8085} to receive {H3947} instruction {H4148}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They have turned their backs on me, not their faces; and although I taught them, taught them frequently, they have not listened so as to receive instruction.

Berean Standard Bible

They have turned their backs to Me and not their faces. Though I taught them again and again, they would not listen or respond to discipline.

American Standard Version

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: and though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:33 encapsulates God's poignant lament over the persistent rebellion and spiritual stubbornness of His covenant people, Judah. Despite God's tireless, diligent, and earnest efforts to instruct and guide them through His prophets and the Law, they deliberately turned away from Him, exhibiting profound disrespect and refusing to listen or obey. This verse vividly portrays the profound disconnect between God's unwavering faithfulness and Israel's consistent unfaithfulness, serving as a divine indictment that explains the impending judgment of exile while simultaneously setting the theological stage for the promise of future restoration found later in the chapter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 32 unfolds during the climactic and desperate final days of the Kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem under an unrelenting siege by the Babylonian army. The prophet Jeremiah himself is confined within the court of the guard, a prisoner due to his unwavering prophecies of Jerusalem's destruction and the people's inevitable exile. Paradoxically, in the midst of this dire judgment, God commands Jeremiah to perform a symbolic act: to purchase a field in Anathoth [Jeremiah 32:6-15](/jeremiah/32-6-15 "Jeremiah 32:6-15 - Jeremiah Buys a Field During Siege"). This seemingly absurd transaction, given the imminent conquest, serves as a powerful and tangible assurance of future restoration, signifying God's promise that houses, fields, and vineyards will indeed be bought again in the land [Jeremiah 32:15](/jeremiah/32-15 "Jeremiah 32:15 - Fields Will Be Bought Again in the Land"). Verse 33, however, provides the crucial theological rationale for the *present* judgment, looking back at the long and tragic history of Judah's rebellion and explaining why such severe consequences are necessary before the promised restoration can occur. It functions as a divine indictment, justifying God's righteous actions in bringing about the exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 32:33 is the tumultuous late 7th to early 6th century BCE, a period marked by immense geopolitical upheaval. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire had collapsed, and Babylon was rapidly ascending as the new regional superpower, posing an existential threat to Judah. Caught between these formidable powers, Judah frequently vacillated in its alliances, consistently turning away from God's covenant commands to pursue idolatry, trust in foreign nations, and engage in syncretistic practices. Culturally, the idiom "turning the back" was a profoundly significant gesture of disrespect, rejection, and contempt in the ancient Near East, signifying a complete severance of relationship or a deliberate act of defiance. In contrast, approaching a king or deity with one's "face" implied reverence, submission, and a desire for favor. God's "rising up early" (a recurring phrase in Jeremiah, such as in [Jeremiah 7:13](/jeremiah/7-13 "Jeremiah 7:13 - God's Persistent Call to Repentance")) is an anthropomorphic expression emphasizing His persistent, diligent, and earnest efforts to communicate with His people, akin to a responsible householder or parent who wakes early to attend to vital matters. Despite this tireless divine outreach, Judah's spiritual deafness and stubbornness led them to ignore prophetic warnings and covenant obligations, culminating in the devastating Babylonian invasion and exile.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 32:33 is rich with several foundational theological themes that resonate throughout the prophetic book. Foremost is the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness vs. Unfaithfulness**. God consistently upheld His covenant obligations, providing unwavering instruction and guidance, while Judah repeatedly broke their side of the covenant through pervasive idolatry and flagrant disobedience. This verse powerfully highlights God's **Divine Patience and Persistence**, demonstrated by His "rising up early and teaching," an evocative image of unwavering commitment despite constant rejection. Conversely, it starkly underscores humanity's **Spiritual Stubbornness and Rebellion**, vividly depicted by their act of turning the back and their refusal to "hearken to receive instruction." This volitional refusal to listen and obey is a recurring motif in Jeremiah, illustrating the deep-seated spiritual apathy that permeated Judah, leading inevitably to their judgment. Yet, even in this severe indictment, the broader context of the chapter points towards the overarching theme of **God's Ultimate Plan for Restoration**, where judgment serves as a painful but necessary prelude to a renewed relationship with a repentant people, as seen in the promise of a new and unbreakable covenant later in Jeremiah [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant Promised").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _pânâh'_):** H6437, a primitive root; properly, to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. In this context, it describes the Israelites' deliberate, volitional act of reorienting themselves away from God. It signifies a conscious choice to disregard His presence, His commands, and His very being, implying a shift in their spiritual and relational direction not towards Him, but emphatically away.
* **back (Hebrew, _ʻôreph'_)/face (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** H6203 / H6440. `ʻôreph` refers to "the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)." `pânîym` refers to "the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively)." The powerful juxtaposition of "back" and "face" creates a vivid and culturally potent idiom. To turn one's back on someone is a gesture of profound disrespect, contempt, and outright rejection, indicating a complete disengagement and a refusal to acknowledge or interact. Conversely, turning one's face towards someone implies attention, favor, and a willingness to engage in relationship. The phrase thus graphically portrays Israel's deliberate and defiant rejection of God's presence, His overtures, and His covenant.
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085, a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.). This crucial word encompasses far more than mere auditory perception; it implies listening with understanding, intent, and, most importantly, a willingness to obey. The Israelites' failure was not simply a lack of hearing God's words, but a volitional and stubborn refusal to internalize, assent to, and act upon God's instruction. This demonstrates a deep spiritual deafness that transcended physical hearing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the core accusation and the profound spiritual state of Judah: their deliberate and disrespectful rejection of God. The imagery of turning the back, rather than the face, is a vivid Hebrew idiom for contempt, dismissal, and a complete refusal of relationship or engagement. It signifies a profound spiritual alienation, where God's people actively chose to disregard His presence, His covenant, and His loving overtures, opting instead for a posture of defiance and disinterest.
* **"though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them],"** This clause powerfully highlights God's persistent, diligent, and earnest efforts to guide and instruct His people. The phrase "rising up early" (Hebrew: `shâkam`) conveys a sense of urgency, consistency, and dedication, much like a devoted parent or a diligent worker who begins their tasks at the break of day. It emphasizes that God's instruction was not sporadic, half-hearted, or infrequent, but a continuous, tireless endeavor, underscoring His unwavering commitment to His covenant people despite their repeated failures and His profound desire for their well-being.
* **"yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction."** This final clause reveals the tragic and lamentable outcome of God's persistent efforts: Israel's profound spiritual unresponsiveness and stubborn rebellion. "Hearkened" (Hebrew: `shâmaʻ`) implies not just hearing with the ears, but listening with intent to understand, internalize, and obey. Their failure was not due to a lack of divine teaching or clarity on God's part, but a deliberate, volitional refusal to listen, internalize, and act upon the wisdom, correction, and discipline (`mûwçâr`) offered by God. This spiritual deafness and unwillingness to receive divine instruction ultimately led them astray and brought about the severe consequences of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:33 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and emotional depth. The most striking is **Idiom**, specifically the phrase "turned unto me the back, and not the face." This is a powerful Hebrew expression that vividly portrays utter disrespect, rejection, and a deliberate severance of relationship, contrasting sharply with the expected posture of reverence and attentiveness towards God. Another prominent device is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in God's "rising up early." This attributes human-like diligence, earnestness, and tireless effort to God, making His persistent attempts to teach and communicate more relatable and emphasizing the profound depth of His divine care and commitment. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** through contrast: God's diligent and continuous teaching is set in stark opposition to Israel's resolute refusal to hearken, highlighting the profound chasm between divine faithfulness and human unfaithfulness. Finally, there is an implied **Metaphor** of spiritual deafness or blindness, as the people are depicted as unable or unwilling to "receive instruction" despite God's clear and persistent communication, suggesting a deeper spiritual malady beyond mere auditory failure—a hardened heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:33 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's covenant relationship with Israel and the tragic consequences of human rebellion. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His people, even in the face of their persistent unfaithfulness, demonstrating His immense patience, diligent pursuit, and earnest desire for their obedience and flourishing. The verse highlights the core biblical principle that true wisdom, life, and blessing flow from hearkening to God's instruction, while deliberate and sustained disobedience inevitably leads to judgment. It reveals that God's judgment is never arbitrary but a just, sorrowful, and necessary response to a long history of deliberate rejection and spiritual apathy. Yet, even in this indictment, the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecy always points towards ultimate restoration, where judgment serves as a painful but redemptive prelude to a renewed relationship with a repentant people. This dynamic between divine fidelity and human infidelity is a recurring theme throughout salvation history, pointing to the ultimate necessity of a new heart and spirit for genuine, Spirit-empowered obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 1:2-3](/isaiah/1-2-3 "Israel's Rebellion")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:33 offers a timeless and piercing mirror for self-examination, urging us to consider our own posture towards God's Word and His guiding Spirit. Are we, like ancient Judah, prone to unconsciously or even deliberately "turning our backs" on divine instruction, preferring our own paths, wisdom, or comfort zones? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's efforts to communicate with us are tireless, earnest, and filled with profound love, whether through His inspired written Word, the quiet promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of godly community. Our spiritual health, growth, and ultimate trajectory are directly tied to our willingness to "hearken"—to listen with intent, receive correction, embrace discipline, and obey with a humble heart. The consequences of spiritual apathy, stubbornness, and a refusal to learn are profound, leading to separation from God's blessings, purpose, and the fullness of life He intends. May this verse stir within each of us a renewed and fervent desire to turn our faces towards God, eagerly embracing His instruction as the very source of life, wisdom, and true freedom, understanding that genuine faith is demonstrated not merely by hearing, but by actively doing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be unconsciously or consciously "turning your back" on God's clear instruction or gentle guidance?**
* **How does God's persistent "rising up early and teaching" encourage you about His unwavering love and immense patience, even when you acknowledge your own shortcomings?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a heart that truly "hearkens to receive instruction" from God's Word, His Spirit, and the wisdom He provides through others?**

### FAQ
**What does "turned unto me the back, and not the face" mean in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: Spiritually, this idiom signifies a deliberate act of profound disrespect, rejection, and disengagement from God. To turn one's back on someone is to dismiss them, to show contempt, and to refuse to acknowledge their presence, authority, or overtures. In the context of Jeremiah 32:33, it means that despite God's continuous and earnest efforts to engage with His people through His prophets and the Law, they actively chose to disregard His covenant, His laws, and His prophetic warnings. Instead of seeking His presence and favor (which would be signified by turning their face towards Him), they chose idolatry, disobedience, and self-reliance, effectively cutting themselves off from a relationship with their Creator. This posture illustrates a profound spiritual rebellion, apathy, and a hardened heart, where the people refused to respond to God's loving initiatives and persistent calls to repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:33, with its lament over Israel's persistent turning of their back on God and their refusal to "hearken to receive instruction," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Israel's consistent failure underscored the deep and inherent need for a new covenant and a new heart, as God Himself promised later through Jeremiah [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "The New Covenant Promised"). Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of perfect obedience and the complete fulfillment of God's instruction. Unlike Israel, who repeatedly turned their back, Jesus always turned His face towards the Father, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "Jesus Always Pleases the Father"). He perfectly hearkened to every word from God, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets not by external adherence alone, but by an internal, Spirit-empowered, and loving obedience that culminated in His sacrificial death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus takes away the sin that caused our rebellious backs to be turned to God, bearing the judgment we deserved. Through His glorious resurrection, He offers us a new heart and a new spirit, enabling us to turn our faces towards God in genuine repentance and living faith. The Holy Spirit, poured out through Christ, empowers believers to truly "hearken to receive instruction," transforming our stubborn hearts into ones that genuinely desire to walk in God's ways, thereby fulfilling the very desire of God expressed in Jeremiah's lament. This new covenant, inaugurated by Christ's precious blood, ensures that God's law is written not on tablets of stone, but on our hearts, leading to genuine obedience and an unbroken, intimate fellowship with Him [Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10-12 "The New Covenant Promises").

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

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;

Jeremiah 2:27

Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

Ezekiel 8:16

And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, [were] about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

2 Chronicles 36:15

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:

2 Chronicles 36:16

But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

Jeremiah 35:15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

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;