Jeremiah 5:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:20 functions as a direct divine mandate to the prophet, initiating a solemn and urgent message from God to His covenant people. It commands Jeremiah to publicly and unequivocally declare a crucial word of judgment and warning to both the collective "house of Jacob" and specifically to the kingdom of Judah. This verse powerfully underscores the authority and non-negotiable nature of the impending prophetic revelation, setting the stage for the detailed indictment of Judah's profound spiritual apostasy and pervasive social injustice that follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:20 serves as a pivotal transition, acting as a direct preamble to a profound and severe indictment against Judah's widespread sinfulness, which commences immediately in [Jeremiah 5:21](/jeremiah/5-21 "Jeremiah 5:21 - The People's Blindness and Stubbornness"). The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - Judah's Rebellion and Judgment") have already established a somber tone, portraying God's futile search for righteousness in Jerusalem, His lament over the pervasive corruption, and the nation's stubborn refusal to acknowledge His hand in their suffering. This particular verse, with its commanding and imperative tone, signals a crucial shift from divine observation and lament to a direct, authoritative pronouncement. It emphasizes that the subsequent message is not merely Jeremiah's personal lament or observation, but God’s own authoritative word that demands public dissemination and immediate attention, framing the following verses as a direct address from Yahweh to His disobedient people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during one of the most tumultuous periods in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, leading directly to the Babylonian exile in the early 6th century BCE. Despite King Josiah's earlier, significant religious reforms, the nation had largely reverted to widespread idolatry, deep-seated social injustice, and a superficial, ritualistic adherence to the covenant, lacking genuine heart transformation. The phrase "house of Jacob" broadly refers to the entire Israelite nation, recalling the ancient covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thereby implying that the message pertains to the historical lineage of God's chosen people and their foundational covenant responsibilities. However, the specific mention of "Judah" narrows the immediate focus to the southern kingdom, which was Jeremiah's primary audience and the last remaining stronghold of the Davidic dynasty. This era was characterized by intense political instability, the formidable rising threat of Babylon, and a profound spiritual decline that made God's impending judgment, delivered through Jeremiah, both necessary and inevitable. The public declaration of such divine messages was a common and expected prophetic practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, ensuring the people could not claim ignorance of God's will or warnings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Authority and Mandate**, unequivocally emphasizing that Jeremiah's words are not his own human opinions but a direct, authoritative message from Yahweh, requiring public and widespread proclamation. The imperative verbs "Declare" and "publish" underscore this divine command, establishing the prophetic office as God's mouthpiece. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Accountability**, as the message is specifically directed to "the house of Jacob" and "Judah," God's covenant people, who are being called to account for their persistent unfaithfulness and rebellion. This ties into the broader narrative of God's steadfastness in upholding His covenant promises and warnings, even when His people are unfaithful (e.g., [Jeremiah 11:1-8](/jeremiah/11-1-8 "Jeremiah 11:1-8 - The Broken Covenant")). Finally, it serves as a **Preparation for Judgment**, signaling that a significant and severe divine pronouncement is about to be delivered. This demands the people's full attention and implicitly highlights their culpability for ignoring previous warnings, a pattern of disobedience vividly depicted throughout [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - Judah's Rebellion and Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Declare (Hebrew, _nâgad'_):** From H5046, this word means "to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise." In Jeremiah 5:20, "declare" signifies a direct, unequivocal, and often formal communication. It emphasizes the public and authoritative nature of the message Jeremiah is commanded to deliver, leaving no room for ambiguity or concealment. It's not a private whisper but a bold, open proclamation meant to confront the audience.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this term primarily means "a house," but carries a much broader semantic range, including "family, household, palace, temple." Here, "the house of Jacob" refers to the collective descendants and nation of Israel, while "house of Judah" specifically denotes the southern kingdom. Its usage underscores the familial and covenantal relationship God has with His people, even as He brings judgment upon them. The message is for the entire "household" of God's chosen people, emphasizing their corporate identity and responsibility.
* **publish (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this root means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." While often translated "hear," in the Hiphil stem (causative), as used here, it means "to cause to hear," or "to proclaim," "to publish." This verb reinforces the imperative for widespread dissemination, ensuring that the message is not only declared but also made publicly known so that all may hear and be without excuse. It implies a call for the audience to listen intently, understand, and respond in obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Declare this in the house of Jacob,"**: This opening command establishes the divine imperative and the broad, ancestral audience. "Declare" (H5046, _nâgad'_) emphasizes a direct, public, and forceful proclamation. "This" refers to the weighty message that immediately follows in the subsequent verses of [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - Judah's Rebellion and Judgment"). "The house of Jacob" refers to the entire nation of Israel, encompassing all twelve tribes, reminding them of their ancestral covenant identity and the historical continuity of God's relationship with His people. This indicates the message's universal applicability to all of God's people, regardless of their current geographical or political divisions.
* **"and publish it in Judah,"**: This clause specifies the immediate and primary audience for Jeremiah's prophecy. "Publish" (H8085, _shâmaʻ'_) reinforces the need for widespread dissemination, ensuring the message is heard by all and cannot be ignored. "Judah" refers to the southern kingdom, the specific political entity and remnant of Israel to whom Jeremiah was sent. This highlights the particular focus of God's impending judgment and warning on the people living in and around Jerusalem at that time, who were directly facing the Babylonian threat due to their persistent unfaithfulness.
* **"saying,"**: This concluding word serves as a crucial transition, indicating that the following verses will contain the actual content of the divine message. It sets the expectation for a direct quote or summary of God's indictment and warning, emphasizing that the prophet is merely a mouthpiece for Yahweh. It underscores the verbal and authoritative nature of the revelation, preparing the audience for the specific words God intends for them to hear, internalize, and respond to.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:20 employs several significant literary devices that amplify its impact and meaning. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, clearly seen in the verbs "Declare" and "publish," which convey a direct, urgent, and non-negotiable divine command. This immediately establishes the absolute authority behind the message and the necessity of its widespread dissemination. There is also clear **Synonymous Parallelism** in the structure "Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah." This literary technique reinforces the command for widespread proclamation while simultaneously narrowing the focus from the broader "house of Jacob" (all Israel, representing the historical covenant) to the specific "Judah" (the southern kingdom, representing the immediate target of judgment). This emphasizes both the historical scope of God's covenant and the immediate, pressing nature of His word for the contemporary audience. The use of **Direct Address** to "the house of Jacob" and "Judah" personalizes the message, making it undeniably clear that God is speaking directly to His covenant people, demanding their attention and a response. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful **Framing Device** or **Introduction**, setting the solemn stage for the detailed prophetic pronouncement that follows, signaling its profound importance and undeniable divine origin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:20 is profoundly theological, underscoring God's active engagement with His people and His unwavering commitment to communicate His will, even when that will involves severe judgment. It highlights the divine prerogative to speak and the prophetic office as the divinely appointed means by which God's word is delivered with absolute authority and clarity. The dual address to "the house of Jacob" and "Judah" serves as a poignant reminder of God's enduring covenant with all Israel, even as the immediate focus narrows to the specific sin and impending judgment of the southern kingdom. This verse establishes a crucial theological principle: God's judgment is never arbitrary but is always preceded by clear, public, and unequivocal warnings, demonstrating His perfect justice and His compassionate desire for His people to repent and turn back to Him. It lays the foundational groundwork for understanding that accountability before God is based on His revealed truth, which is meant to be heard, understood, and acted upon by all.

* [Isaiah 40:9](/isaiah/40-9 "Isaiah 40:9 - Proclaim Good News to Zion")
* [Ezekiel 3:17](/ezekiel/3-17 "Ezekiel 3:17 - Ezekiel as Watchman")
* [Matthew 10:27](/matthew/10-27 "Matthew 10:27 - Proclaim from the Housetops")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:20 offers profound and timeless insights for contemporary believers, challenging us to consider our posture towards God's revealed truth. Firstly, it serves as a powerful reminder of the absolute authority, clarity, and non-negotiable nature of God's Word. Just as Jeremiah was commanded to "declare" and "publish" God's message unequivocally, so too are we called to receive, understand, and live by biblical truth without compromise, selective hearing, or ambiguity. This verse compels us to honestly assess how diligently we listen to and internalize God's warnings, instructions, and promises found in Scripture. Are we truly hearing what God is "saying" to us through His Word, or are we allowing the noise of the world, personal biases, or spiritual apathy to dull our spiritual ears? Secondly, it underscores the profound responsibility of believers to not only hear but also to share God's truth. While Jeremiah was a prophet with a unique calling, the underlying principle of proclaiming God's message remains relevant for all believers. We are called to be faithful witnesses to God's character, His redemptive plan, and His call to repentance, sharing the gospel and the wisdom of His Word with clarity and urgency in our own contexts. This involves not only speaking the truth in love but also living lives that authentically testify to the transformative power of God's message, ensuring that those around us have the opportunity to hear and respond to His gracious call for repentance and righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life might God be "declaring" or "publishing" a message through His Word that you have been slow or reluctant to hear or acknowledge?**
* **How does the clarity, urgency, and divine imperative of God's command to Jeremiah inspire or challenge your own commitment to diligently understanding and faithfully living out biblical truth?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can you take to more effectively "publish" or share God's message, whether through your words, actions, or lifestyle, within your unique sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of God commanding Jeremiah to "declare" and "publish" this message?**

Answer: The dual command to "declare" (H5046, _nâgad'_) and "publish" (H8085, _shâmaʻ'_) emphasizes the divine imperative for the message to be delivered with both authority and widespread dissemination. "Declare" implies a direct, bold, and unequivocal proclamation, leaving no room for misinterpretation or secrecy. It signifies a public confrontation with truth. "Publish" suggests making it widely known, ensuring that the message is heard by all and that no one can claim ignorance. This highlights God's perfect justice, as He provides clear, audible warnings before judgment, and underscores the people's culpability for their subsequent actions or inaction. It also powerfully reinforces the divine origin of the message; it is not Jeremiah's opinion or counsel but God's authoritative word that demands public attention and response, much like the call to proclaim good news in [Isaiah 40:9](/isaiah/40-9 "Isaiah 40:9 - Proclaim Good News to Zion").

**Why does God address both "the house of Jacob" and "Judah"?**

Answer: Addressing "the house of Jacob" broadly refers to the entire nation of Israel, recalling their ancestral covenant identity and the historical lineage of God's chosen people. This signifies that the message pertains to the whole covenant community, reminding them of their shared heritage, divine election, and corporate responsibilities under the covenant. The specific mention of "Judah" then narrows the focus to the southern kingdom, which was Jeremiah's immediate audience and the last remaining stronghold of the Davidic dynasty after the northern kingdom of Israel had fallen. This dual address ensures that the message is understood as applicable to all God's people, both historically and presently, while specifically targeting those who were directly facing the impending judgment and exile. It underscores God's comprehensive concern for His people while pinpointing the specific locus of their current rebellion and the imminent consequences, as further detailed throughout [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - Judah's Rebellion and Judgment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:20, with its divine imperative to "declare" and "publish" God's word to His people, finds its ultimate and most expansive fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah was commanded to proclaim a message of judgment and a call to repentance to a specific nation, Jesus himself is the living Word of God, the ultimate revelation of the Father, as profoundly articulated in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son"). His earthly ministry was a direct and perfect fulfillment of this prophetic mandate, as He "declared" the good news of the Kingdom of God (see [Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14-15 "Mark 1:14-15 - Jesus Proclaims the Gospel")) and "published" the way of salvation through His authoritative teachings, miraculous signs, and ultimately, His atoning death and glorious resurrection. The "house of Jacob" and "Judah" of the Old Covenant are now spiritually expanded to include all who believe in Christ, forming the new covenant community, the Church, which is commissioned to continue this very mission. The Great Commission in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission") is the New Covenant echo of Jeremiah 5:20, where Christ commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." This command effectively empowers and directs believers to "declare" and "publish" the gospel to every tribe and tongue, ensuring that God's saving truth is made known universally, not just to a specific nation, but to all humanity, through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (as promised in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). Thus, Christ is both the ultimate Proclaimer and the ultimate Message, fulfilling the divine imperative of Jeremiah 5:20 in a global and eternal scope.

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.