Jeremiah 37:2

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Jeremiah 37:2 records the tragic and persistent disobedience of the people of Judah, from their king down to the common citizen, despite clear warnings from God delivered through His prophet Jeremiah.

Context of Jeremiah 37:2

This verse is set during a critical period in the history of Judah, specifically in the reign of King Zedekiah, the last king before the final destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. The Babylonian army, under King Nebuchadnezzar, had already besieged Jerusalem once and taken many captives, including King Jehoiachin and prominent citizens, in 597 BC. Zedekiah was installed as a puppet king by Babylon. Throughout his ministry, Jeremiah consistently warned the people and their leaders to surrender to Babylon as a divine judgment for their idolatry and sin, promising that resistance would only lead to greater devastation. Despite these urgent pleas and prophecies of impending doom, Jeremiah 37:2 highlights the profound and widespread refusal to heed God's voice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Widespread Disobedience: The verse emphasizes that the rejection of God's word was not limited to one person or group but permeated all levels of society: "neither he [King Zedekiah], nor his servants, nor the people of the land." This collective rebellion against divine instruction sealed their fate.
  • Rejection of God's Messenger: Jeremiah served faithfully as God's mouthpiece, delivering unpopular messages of judgment and a call to repentance. This verse underscores the deep-seated resistance to the prophet's divinely appointed words, which were, in essence, the words of the LORD Himself.
  • Consequences of Unheeded Warnings: The failure to "hearken unto the words of the LORD" directly led to the catastrophic events described later in Jeremiah, including the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, and the long period of exile in Babylon. This serves as a powerful reminder of the serious consequences of persistent disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "did hearken unto" is crucial here. In KJV English, "hearken" means to listen attentively and, by extension, to obey. The negative "did not hearken" therefore signifies a deliberate and active refusal to listen and comply with God's commands. It's not merely ignorance but a willful turning away from the divine message spoken by Jeremiah. This word choice emphasizes the moral culpability of the king, his officials, and the entire populace.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:2 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It challenges us to consider our own responsiveness to God's word. Do we "hearken unto" His voice as revealed in Scripture and through the Holy Spirit? The story of Judah serves as a sober warning that ignoring divine counsel, even when it's difficult or goes against popular opinion, carries severe implications. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience, recognizing that God's words are for our ultimate good and protection. Just as God spoke through Jeremiah, He continues to speak through His Word, urging us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 36:12 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 24:20 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 29:12 (3 votes)

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

  • Ezekiel 21:25 (2 votes)

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