Jeremiah 36:31

And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.

And I will punish {H6485} him and his seed {H2233} and his servants {H5650} for their iniquity {H5771}; and I will bring {H935} upon them, and upon the inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and upon the men {H376} of Judah {H3063}, all the evil {H7451} that I have pronounced {H1696} against them; but they hearkened {H8085} not.

Moreover, I will punish him, his offspring and his officials for their wickedness; and I will bring on them, the inhabitants of Yerushalayim and the people of Y'hudah all the disaster I have decreed against them, to which they have paid no attention."'"

I will punish him and his descendants and servants for their iniquity. I will bring on them, on the residents of Jerusalem, and on the men of Judah, all the calamity about which I warned them but they did not listen.”

And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they hearkened not.

Jeremiah 36:31 delivers a solemn pronouncement of divine judgment against King Jehoiakim, his lineage, and his officials, along with the people of Jerusalem and Judah, for their persistent rebellion and refusal to heed God's warnings.

Context

This verse follows directly after King Jehoiakim's brazen act of burning the scroll containing God's words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 36:23, we see Jehoiakim's defiant rejection of the prophetic message, cutting and burning the scroll piece by piece. This act symbolized his contempt for God's word and his refusal to repent. Consequently, this verse details the specific and severe punishment that God declares upon the king and his kingdom for this profound act of rebellion and their general "iniquity."

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Disobedience: The verse unequivocally states God's intent to "punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity." This highlights God's justice and the inevitable consequences of rejecting His authority and commands.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Word: King Jehoiakim's burning of the scroll was a direct affront to God's spoken word. This passage underscores that such defiance leads to severe repercussions, as God is faithful to bring about "all the evil that I have pronounced against them."
  • Corporate Responsibility: The judgment extends beyond Jehoiakim himself to "his seed and his servants," as well as "the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah." This demonstrates how the sins of leaders can have far-reaching consequences for an entire nation, especially when the people themselves are complicit or unresponsive to divine warnings.
  • Unheeded Warnings: The concluding phrase, "but they hearkened not," is crucial. It emphasizes the people's persistent and willful refusal to listen to God's repeated calls to repentance, which ultimately sealed their fate. This theme is echoed throughout prophetic literature, as seen in 2 Chronicles 36:16.

Linguistic Insights

The term "iniquity" (Hebrew: עָוֹן, avon) refers not only to sin itself but also to the guilt and punishment associated with it. It signifies a perversion of what is right, leading to a burden of guilt. The phrase "hearkened not" (Hebrew: לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, lo sham'u) powerfully conveys a deliberate and active refusal to listen or obey, rather than mere ignorance. It implies a hardened heart against God's voice, a common theme in Jeremiah's prophecies.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:31 serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of rejecting God's word. For us today, it underscores several vital lessons:

  • Heed God's Warnings: We are called to attentively listen to and obey God's voice, whether through Scripture, conscience, or wise counsel. Ignoring divine truth always carries consequences.
  • Accountability: This verse reminds us of individual and collective accountability before God. Our actions, especially those of leaders, can impact many.
  • God's Justice is Real: While God is merciful and patient, He is also just. When warnings are repeatedly ignored, judgment will eventually come. This principle is foundational to understanding God's character, as seen in Romans 2:6, which states that God "will render to every man according to his deeds."
  • The Importance of Repentance: The dire consequences faced by Jehoiakim and Judah highlight the urgent need for repentance when confronted with sin and disobedience.
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.

  • Proverbs 29:1

    ¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 23:34

    And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.

  • Jeremiah 19:15

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

  • Matthew 23:37

    O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

  • Leviticus 26:14

    ¶ But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

  • Deuteronomy 28:15

    ¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

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