Jeremiah 37:2

KJV

But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.

KJV (with Strong's)

But neither he, nor his servants {H5650}, nor the people {H5971} of the land {H776}, did hearken {H8085} unto the words {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} by {H3027} the prophet {H5030} Jeremiah {H3414}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But neither he, his servants nor the people of the land paid attention to the words of ADONAI, which he spoke through the prophet Yirmeyahu.

Berean Standard Bible

But he and his officers and the people of the land refused to obey the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

American Standard Version

But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of Jehovah, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 37:2 powerfully encapsulates the tragic spiritual stubbornness of Judah's leadership and populace during the critical final years preceding the Babylonian exile. Despite the unwavering, divinely authoritative warnings consistently delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, King Zedekiah, his officials, and the common people collectively refused to heed the words of the LORD, thereby sealing their nation's devastating fate. This verse serves as a stark and somber indictment of their widespread spiritual deafness and willful disobedience in the face of impending divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 37:2 is strategically placed within a pivotal section of the book of Jeremiah, specifically during the tumultuous reign of King Zedekiah (597-586 BC), Judah's final monarch. Chapters 37-45 meticulously detail the escalating Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah's subsequent imprisonment, and the ultimate, cataclysmic destruction of both the city and the sacred Temple. This verse immediately follows the introduction of King Zedekiah and the temporary withdrawal of the Babylonian army, which briefly offered a false sense of hope (compare [Jeremiah 37:1](/jeremiah/37-1 "Jeremiah 37:1 - Zedekiah's Reign and Babylonian Siege")). It serves as a foundational statement, immediately identifying the core spiritual malady: the pervasive and persistent refusal of the entire nation, from the highest echelons of power to the common citizen, to obey God's explicit word, which Jeremiah had faithfully proclaimed for decades. This verse functions as a concise summary of the spiritual condition that directly precipitated the catastrophic events that unfold in the subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the grim twilight of the Kingdom of Judah. Following the initial deportation in 597 BC, which saw King Jehoiachin, the prophet Ezekiel, and many prominent citizens exiled to Babylon, Zedekiah was installed as a vassal king by Nebuchadnezzar. Judah existed as a precarious puppet state, perpetually tempted to rebel against Babylonian suzerainty by forging ill-advised alliances with Egypt. Jeremiah consistently and courageously warned against such treacherous alliances, urging instead humble submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment for Judah's rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and profound covenant unfaithfulness. His message, articulated throughout the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Exile")), was consistently rejected. Culturally, the people often preferred the soothing, false prophecies of peace and prosperity over Jeremiah's harsh but truthful messages of impending doom and urgent repentance (as seen in [Jeremiah 14:13-14](/jeremiah/14-13-14 "Jeremiah 14:13-14 - False Prophets and Their Deceptive Words")). This widespread, collective rejection of divine truth, even when delivered through a legitimate and divinely appointed prophet, vividly underscores the deep spiritual malaise and moral decay that afflicted the nation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching and critical themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it emphatically highlights the theme of **disobedience and rebellion** against God's covenant. The stark phrase "did not hearken" underscores Judah's persistent and willful refusal to obey, a central and recurring motif in Jeremiah's prophetic message (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23-26 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - The Disobedience of Their Fathers")). Secondly, it underscores the profound **authority of God's word** and the solemn **responsibility of hearing and obeying it**. Jeremiah's pronouncements are explicitly identified as "the words of the LORD," emphasizing their divine origin and the immense gravity of their rejection. This rejection was not merely of a human voice but of the very voice of God. Thirdly, the verse chillingly foreshadows the **inevitability of divine judgment** when repeated warnings are defiantly ignored. The collective failure to respond to God's persistent call for repentance ultimately leads to the dire fulfillment of the covenant curses, culminating in the devastating exile and destruction, as solemnly warned in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** H8085, "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." In this profound context, _shâmaʻ_ signifies far more than mere auditory perception; it implies a deep, attentive listening that leads to understanding, acceptance, and, crucially, obedience. The negative construction, "did not hearken," thus conveys a willful, active, and deliberate refusal to not only listen but also to comply with the divine message. It denotes a hardened heart and a conscious turning away from God's instruction and will.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** H1697, "from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause." This comprehensive term encompasses spoken utterances, divine decrees, prophetic messages, and even the affairs or matters that are the subject of divine communication. Here, _dâbâr_ refers specifically to the authoritative messages, prophecies, and commands that the LORD delivered through Jeremiah. It emphasizes the concrete, weighty, and divinely authoritative nature of God's communication, which was consistently and defiantly rejected by the people.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068, "from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the sacred, covenant name of God, YHWH, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His unique, binding covenant relationship with Israel. The fact that the people did not hearken to "the words of the LORD" underscores the immense spiritual offense: they were not merely dismissing a human prophet's opinion, but directly rejecting the authoritative communication of their covenant God, the sovereign ruler and sustainer of all creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land":** This opening clause vividly portrays the pervasive and comprehensive nature of the disobedience. "He" refers specifically to King Zedekiah, the reigning monarch. "His servants" encompasses the entire royal court, including officials, advisors, and the governing elite, who held positions of influence and responsibility. "The people of the land" refers to the general populace, indicating that the rebellion against God's word was not confined to a particular social stratum but permeated every level of Judahite society, from the highest authority to the common citizen. This collective culpability underscores the profound depth of the nation's spiritual apostasy and corporate rebellion.
* **"did hearken unto the words of the LORD":** This is the central and damning indictment of the verse. The phrase "did not hearken" signifies a deliberate, active, and persistent refusal to listen with the intent to obey. It is not merely a passive ignorance or misunderstanding but an active, willful rejection of divine counsel. "The words of the LORD" emphatically highlights the divine origin and supreme authority of the message, making their rejection an act of direct rebellion against God Himself, rather than merely against His human messenger.
* **"which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah":** This final clause precisely clarifies the divinely appointed channel of communication. God chose Jeremiah as His faithful mouthpiece, thereby authenticating the prophet's message as divinely inspired and authoritative. The phrase "by the prophet Jeremiah" (literally "by the hand of Jeremiah," using H3027 _yâd_ for "by") emphasizes Jeremiah's indispensable role as God's instrument, conveying the divine message directly, faithfully, and without compromise. Their rejection of Jeremiah's words was, therefore, an unequivocal and direct rejection of God's own voice and sovereign will for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 37:2 employs several potent literary devices to underscore its weighty message. **Synecdoche** is powerfully evident in the phrase "neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land," where specific parts (the king, his officials, and the common folk) are used to represent the entire nation of Judah, thereby emphasizing the widespread and complete nature of their collective disobedience. The repeated negative conjunction "neither... nor" functions as a form of **anaphora** and serves to heighten the **emphasis**, underscoring the universal rejection of God's word across all societal strata. The explicit mention that the words were "of the LORD" and spoken "by the prophet Jeremiah" serves as a crucial **authoritative attribution**, highlighting the divine origin and thus the undeniable authority of the message. This attribution, in turn, magnifies the culpability of those who defiantly refused to obey. This stark contrast between divine authority and human rebellion creates a profound sense of **irony** and **pathos**, as the very people God sought to save through His compassionate warnings chose a path leading inexorably to their own destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 37:2 stands as a powerful and poignant testament to the tragic consequences of human obstinacy in the face of divine revelation. It underscores the foundational biblical principle that God communicates His will clearly, often through chosen messengers, and that humanity is held profoundly accountable for its response. The widespread refusal to "hearken" to the Lord's words reveals a deep-seated spiritual rebellion, a hardening of hearts that ultimately leads to inevitable and just judgment. This verse vividly illustrates a consistent theme throughout Scripture: that true faith is demonstrated not merely by hearing the divine word, but by active, obedient response. Persistent, willful disobedience severs the covenant relationship, leading to severe repercussions and the forfeiture of divine blessing.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 1:24-27](/proverbs/1-24-27 "Wisdom's Rejection and Its Outcome")
* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9-10 "Hearts Hardened Against God's Message")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 37:2 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for believers today, inviting profound self-examination regarding our own responsiveness to God's voice. Just as King Zedekiah, his officials, and the people of Judah faced a pivotal moment requiring humble submission to divine counsel, so too are we continually presented with opportunities to "hearken" to the Lord. Do we truly listen to God's word as revealed in Scripture, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and shape our decisions, even when it challenges our comfort, desires, or popular opinion? Or do we, like ancient Judah, selectively ignore or actively resist truths that are inconvenient, demanding, or counter-cultural? This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of active, obedient listening, recognizing that God's words are not merely suggestions but life-giving, protective commands intended for our ultimate good and flourishing. Our willingness to heed His warnings, embrace His wisdom, and walk in His ways determines our spiritual trajectory and enables us to avoid the pitfalls of self-inflicted consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "not hearkening" to God's clear word, either through passive neglect or active, willful disobedience?**
* **How do I genuinely respond when God's truth, whether encountered in Scripture or through a trusted spiritual voice, challenges my preconceived notions, comfortable habits, or deeply held biases?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take to cultivate a more attentive, receptive, and obedient heart towards the Lord's words in my daily walk of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did God keep sending Jeremiah if the people wouldn't listen?**

Answer: God's persistent sending of Jeremiah, even in the face of widespread and defiant rejection, profoundly demonstrates His immense patience, boundless mercy, and unwavering commitment to His covenant. It was not a sign of futility on God's part, but rather an extraordinary act of divine grace, providing every conceivable opportunity for repentance before the inevitable judgment. By continuing to send His prophet, God ensured that the people were utterly without excuse; their ultimate destruction was a direct consequence of their own willful and persistent choices, not a lack of clear, consistent, and compassionate warning from the Lord (as seen in [2 Chronicles 36:15-16](/2_chronicles/36-15-16 "2 Chronicles 36:15-16 - God's Persistent Warnings and Judah's Rejection")). Furthermore, Jeremiah's continued prophecy underscored his own faithfulness as God's messenger, fulfilling his divine commission regardless of the human response.

**Does "hearken" only mean to listen, or does it imply more?**

Answer: In biblical Hebrew, particularly with the verb _shâmaʻ_ (H8085), "hearken" implies much more than just the physical act of hearing sounds. It encompasses a comprehensive process of listening attentively, understanding the message, accepting its truth, and, most importantly, obeying its commands. When the text states that the people "did not hearken," it means they actively refused to listen with the intent to comply, demonstrating a deliberate act of disobedience and rebellion against God's commands and counsel. This deeper, volitional meaning is absolutely crucial for understanding the profound moral and spiritual culpability of Judah in Jeremiah 37:2.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 37:2, with its tragic depiction of a people stubbornly refusing to "hearken unto the words of the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound contrast in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While ancient Judah defiantly rejected the prophetic word delivered through Jeremiah, Jesus perfectly embodied and flawlessly fulfilled the divine word. He is the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the supreme and final revelation of God to humanity. Unlike the spiritually deaf and disobedient people of Judah, Jesus consistently and perfectly "hearkened" to His Father's will, declaring with absolute truth, "[I always do what pleases him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")." His perfect obedience, even to the agonizing point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death on the Cross")), stands in stark and glorious contrast to Judah's pervasive rebellion. Furthermore, Jesus Himself became the ultimate "prophet" (as foretold in [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Moses' Prophecy of Christ")), delivering God's final and complete message of salvation and new covenant life. The ancient call to "hearken" to God's word now culminates in the imperative call to "hear" and "obey" Jesus, for He is the one of whom the Father Himself declared from heaven, "[This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - The Transfiguration and God's Command to Listen to Jesus")!" Through Christ, the way to truly "hearken" and receive eternal life is opened for all who believe, overcoming the spiritual deafness that tragically plagued ancient Judah.

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

2 Chronicles 36:12

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God, [and] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet [speaking] from the mouth of the LORD.

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.

2 Kings 24:19

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

2 Kings 24:20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

1 Thessalonians 4:8

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Proverbs 29:12

¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants [are] wicked.

Ezekiel 21:25

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity [shall have] an end,