Jeremiah 35:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Behold, I will bring {H935} upon Judah {H3063} and upon all the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389} all the evil {H7451} that I have pronounced {H1696} against them: because I have spoken {H1696} unto them, but they have not heard {H8085}; and I have called {H7121} unto them, but they have not answered {H6030}.

therefore - " here is what ADONAI Elohei-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: "I will inflict on Y'hudah and all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim all the disaster I have decreed against them; because I have spoken to them, but they have not listened; and I have called out to them, but they have not answered."'"

Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will bring to Judah and to all the residents of Jerusalem all the disaster I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them but they have not obeyed, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’”

therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.

Commentary on Jeremiah 35:17 (KJV)

Jeremiah 35:17 serves as a stark declaration of divine judgment against the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. It encapsulates God's righteous indignation and the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience, directly linking the promised "evil" (calamity or disaster) to the people's refusal to heed His repeated warnings.

Context

This verse comes at the conclusion of a significant object lesson presented by God through the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 35, God contrasts the unwavering obedience of the Rechabites to the command of their ancestor Jonadab, with the blatant and continuous disobedience of the people of Judah to the commands of the Almighty God. Despite God's consistent efforts to speak to them through His prophets and call them to repentance, Judah remained spiritually deaf and unresponsive. This particular verse, therefore, pronounces the final, severe consequence for their rebellion, setting the stage for the impending Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse highlights God's justice in bringing about the consequences He had long warned about. It underscores that God is faithful to His word, both in blessing and in judgment.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary message is that ignoring God's voice and commandments leads to severe repercussions. The "evil" pronounced is a direct result of their spiritual rebellion.
  • God's Persistent Call: The phrases "I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered" powerfully emphasize God's patience and persistent attempts to draw His people back to Himself before judgment falls. This reflects God's desire for His people to obey His voice and live.
  • Accountability: Judah and Jerusalem are held fully accountable for their choices, demonstrating that humanity is responsible for its response to divine revelation.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD God of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Elohei Tzeva'ot) emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and power as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation. This title reinforces the absolute certainty and authority behind His pronouncement of judgment. The verbs "heard" (Hebrew: shama') and "answered" (Hebrew: 'anah) are significant. Shama' implies more than just physical hearing; it denotes listening with understanding and a willingness to obey. Similarly, 'anah suggests responding to a call, often implying compliance or engagement. The people's failure to *shama'* and *'anah'* indicates a deep-seated spiritual deafness and a stubborn refusal to submit to God's will, leading to the inevitable curses of disobedience.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 35:17 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It reminds us that God consistently communicates with humanity, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or the circumstances of life. Our response to His voice is crucial. Spiritual indifference or a deliberate refusal to obey God's commands can lead to undesirable consequences, both individually and corporately. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of humility, attentiveness, and obedience, ensuring that when God speaks, we not only hear but also respond with willing hearts.

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.

  • Isaiah 66:4

    I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.

  • Romans 10:21

    But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

  • Isaiah 65:12

    Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

  • 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;

  • Proverbs 16:2

    ¶ All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

  • Jeremiah 11:8

    Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded [them] to do; but they did [them] not.

  • Jeremiah 21:4

    Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

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