Jeremiah 5:20

¶ Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,

Declare ^{H5046} this in the house ^{H1004} of Jacob ^{H3290}, and publish ^{H8085} it in Judah ^{H3063}, saying ^{H559},

Announce this in the house of Ya'akov, proclaim it in Y'hudah; say:

Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah:

Declare ye this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 5:20 serves as an urgent divine command, setting the stage for a profound message from God to His people. It is not a standalone statement but an introduction to the indictment and warning that follows in the subsequent verses.

Context of Jeremiah 5:20

The prophet Jeremiah, often known as the "weeping prophet," was called by God to deliver a difficult message of judgment and repentance to the kingdom of Judah during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. This period was marked by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy, despite previous reforms. The phrase "the house of Jacob" broadly refers to all of Israel, encompassing both the northern kingdom (which had already fallen to Assyria) and the southern kingdom. However, the specific mention of "Judah" highlights Jeremiah's primary audience and the immediate focus of God's impending judgment, which would culminate in the Babylonian exile. This verse emphasizes God's direct instruction to Jeremiah to ensure His message was not whispered, but publicly and clearly declared to all His covenant people. For more on Jeremiah's commission, see Jeremiah 1:7.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Mandate: The verse underscores that Jeremiah's prophecy is not his own opinion but a direct, authoritative word from God. The commands "Declare this" and "publish it" highlight the divine imperative for the message to be widely disseminated.
Universal and Specific Audience: By addressing both "the house of Jacob" and "Judah," God ensures that the message is understood as applicable to all His people, while specifically targeting the immediate audience in Jerusalem and the surrounding regions. This broader address serves as a reminder of the historical covenant with all Israel, even as the focus narrows to Judah's current state.
Preparation for Revelation: This verse acts as a solemn preamble to the serious accusations and warnings that begin in Jeremiah 5:21. It signals that what follows is of utmost importance and requires the people's full attention.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "declare" is nagad (נגד), which means to tell, report, or make known. It implies a direct, unequivocal, and often formal communication. The word for "publish" is shama (שׁמע), which means to hear, listen, or proclaim. When used in this context, it suggests making something widely and publicly known, ensuring that no one could claim ignorance of the divine message. Together, these verbs emphasize the clarity and public nature of God's communication through His prophet, underscoring the people's culpability for their subsequent actions.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:20 reminds us of the enduring importance of God's Word being clearly communicated and heard. Just as God commanded Jeremiah to declare His truth, believers today are called to understand and share the biblical message with clarity and urgency. It highlights our responsibility to listen attentively to God's warnings and wisdom, and to consider whether our lives align with His will. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that divine truth is meant to be proclaimed widely, not kept hidden, so that all may have the opportunity to respond to God's call for repentance and righteousness, much like the call to preach the gospel to every creature.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.