Jeremiah 7:13

KJV

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

KJV (with Strong's)

And now, because ye have done {H6213} all these works {H4639}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and I spake {H1696} unto you, rising up early {H7925} and speaking {H1696}, but ye heard {H8085} not; and I called {H7121} you, but ye answered {H6030} not;

Complete Jewish Bible

I spoke to you again and again, but you wouldn't listen. I called you, but you wouldn't answer. Now," says ADONAI, "because you have done all these things,

Berean Standard Bible

And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer,

American Standard Version

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith Jehovah, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:13 encapsulates a poignant divine lament and indictment against the people of Judah, revealing the LORD's profound disappointment and the impending consequences of their persistent rebellion. Despite God's tireless and earnest efforts, characterized by His "rising up early and speaking," to communicate His will, warn of impending judgment, and call His people to repentance, they remained stubbornly disobedient. This verse, a critical component of Jeremiah's powerful Temple Sermon, underscores the tragic reality of spiritual apathy and the willful rejection of divine counsel, highlighting the stark contrast between God's unwavering faithfulness and humanity's entrenched resistance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:13 is a pivotal declaration within the "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), a direct and confrontational prophetic address delivered by Jeremiah at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple. This sermon specifically targets the Judahites' misplaced confidence in the physical Temple and their outward religious observances, which they erroneously believed would shield them from divine judgment, despite their rampant moral and spiritual corruption. The verses immediately preceding this one meticulously detail a litany of covenant violations, including theft, murder, adultery, perjury, idolatry, and the oppression of the vulnerable, as outlined in [Jeremiah 7:8-9](/jeremiah/7-8-9 "Jeremiah 7:8-9 - Judah's Abominable Practices"). God's pronouncement, "because ye have done all these works," directly references these egregious sins, establishing a clear and undeniable cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and the impending divine response. The verse thus sets the stage for the severe judgment, including the prophesied destruction of the very Temple they trusted, as elaborated in [Jeremiah 7:14](/jeremiah/7-14 "Jeremiah 7:14 - The Destruction of the Temple").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple Sermon was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the early years of King Jehoiakim's reign (c. 609-598 BCE). This era was characterized by significant geopolitical instability, with Judah caught between the declining Neo-Assyrian Empire and the ascendant Neo-Babylonian Empire, while Egypt also sought to exert its influence. Spiritually, the nation had largely regressed into widespread idolatry and syncretism following the brief but impactful reforms initiated by King Josiah, as documented in [2 Kings 22](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22 - King Josiah's Reforms"). The Jerusalem Temple held immense cultural, political, and religious significance, being regarded as the dwelling place of Yahweh and a potent symbol of national security and divine protection. The people's erroneous belief that the Temple's mere presence guaranteed their safety, irrespective of their moral and covenantal fidelity, is the central object of Jeremiah's scathing rebuke. The divine idiom "rising up early and speaking" is a common anthropomorphic expression in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying diligent, earnest, and persistent effort, often used to describe a master instructing servants or a parent guiding children, emphasizing the extraordinary lengths to which God went to warn and instruct His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 7:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates **God's Persistent Communication and Unwavering Patience**, demonstrating His enduring commitment to His covenant people, even in the depths of their rebellion. His repeated warnings, vividly characterized by "rising up early and speaking," underscore His profound desire for their repentance and restoration rather than their destruction. Secondly, the verse starkly exposes **Human Stubbornness and Spiritual Unresponsiveness**, a recurring and tragic motif throughout Israel's history. The phrases "ye heard not" and "ye answered not" reveal a deep-seated spiritual deafness and a hardened heart that actively resisted divine truth, leading inevitably to judgment, as seen in other laments over their recalcitrance, such as [Jeremiah 5:21](/jeremiah/5-21 "Jeremiah 5:21 - A Foolish and Senseless People"). Thirdly, the verse implicitly but powerfully foreshadows the **Inevitable Consequences of Disobedience and Covenant Breach**. By consistently rejecting God's persistent calls to covenant faithfulness, Judah was actively sealing its own fate, leading to the fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant, particularly those found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). This verse serves as a stark reminder that divine patience, while vast, is not infinite, and persistent rejection of God's grace ultimately culminates in righteous judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **works (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** This term (H4639) denotes an action, deed, or transaction, encompassing both righteous and unrighteous acts. In the immediate context of Jeremiah 7, "all these works" specifically refers to the comprehensive list of sinful practices and abominations enumerated in the preceding verses, such as theft, murder, adultery, perjury, and idolatry ([Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - The Abominations Committed")). The use of the plural "works" and the qualifier "all these" emphasizes the pervasive and comprehensive nature of Judah's rebellion, indicating that their entire societal and individual conduct was characterized by actions directly contrary to God's covenant and moral law.
* **rising up early (Hebrew, _shâkam'_):** This primitive root (H7925) literally means "to load up (on the back of man or beast)" or "to start early in the morning." Figuratively, as employed here, it powerfully conveys the idea of diligence, earnestness, and persistent effort. It is a profound anthropomorphic expression, portraying God as making an extraordinary and proactive effort, akin to someone waking before dawn to diligently attend to an urgent and crucially important matter. This idiom underscores the intensity, frequency, and unwavering nature of God's attempts to communicate with and warn His people, signifying His profound and patient desire for their repentance and return.
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This root (H8085) signifies "to hear intelligently," often carrying the strong implication of attentive listening, understanding, and, most importantly, obedience. The negation "heard not" therefore implies far more than a mere failure to perceive auditory signals; it denotes a deliberate and willful refusal to pay attention, to comprehend the divine message, and, most critically, to obey God's commands and warnings. It points to a deep spiritual deafness rooted in a hardened heart and a rebellious will that actively chose to ignore the divine voice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the direct and undeniable causal link between the people's sinful actions ("all these works," referring to the abominations detailed in [Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - The Sins of Judah")) and the divine pronouncement of judgment that follows. The phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew: *nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh*) serves as a divine oracle formula, authenticating the message as a direct and authoritative word from YHWH (H3068), the self-existent, covenant-keeping God, thereby lending it ultimate gravity and undeniable truth.
* **"and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking,"**: This phrase vividly portrays God's relentless, diligent, and patient efforts to communicate with His people. The repetition of "speaking" (from H1696, *dâbar*) combined with the powerful idiom "rising up early" (H7925, *shâkam*) emphasizes the frequency, earnestness, and profound urgency of God's warnings and appeals. It illustrates His deep and abiding desire for their repentance, akin to a diligent and loving parent who repeatedly and proactively warns a beloved child of imminent danger.
* **"but ye heard not;"**: This clause highlights the tragic and willful failure of the people to respond appropriately to God's persistent communication. "Heard not" (H8085, *shâmaʻ*) implies not merely a lack of auditory perception, but a deliberate and stubborn refusal to listen, to understand the gravity of the divine message, and, most significantly, to obey God's commands. It signifies a profound spiritual deafness and a hardened heart that actively chose to ignore and dismiss divine counsel.
* **"and I called you, but ye answered not;"**: This final clause powerfully reiterates and reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the people's complete and deliberate unresponsiveness. God's "calling" (H7121, *qârâʼ*) signifies an earnest invitation, a solemn summons, or a heartfelt plea for repentance and return. Their failure to "answer" (H6030, *ʻânâh*) indicates a willful and defiant rejection of His gracious invitation to repentance and restoration, thereby sealing their fate through their persistent and unyielding rebellion against their covenant Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:13 is rich with several powerful literary devices that amplify its theological message. **Anthropomorphism** is strikingly evident in the phrase "rising up early and speaking," which attributes human-like diligence, effort, and proactive engagement to God. This device makes God's earnestness relatable and underscores the extraordinary lengths to which He went to warn His people, thereby highlighting His immense patience and profound desire for their return. **Repetition** is also a key rhetorical feature, particularly in the parallel structure of "but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not." This deliberate repetition serves to amplify the people's stubborn unresponsiveness and underscore the comprehensive nature of their rejection of God's word. The parallelism creates a powerful sense of finality and inevitability regarding the consequences of their actions. Furthermore, an underlying **Irony** pervades the entire Temple Sermon, and particularly this verse. The people placed their security in the physical Temple, believing it would protect them, while simultaneously engaging in "all these works" that flagrantly violated the very covenant principles the Temple was meant to represent. Their outward religious observance stood in stark and hypocritical contrast to their inward spiritual rebellion, a profound disconnect that God directly confronts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:13 stands as a profound theological statement on the very nature of God's relationship with humanity, particularly within the sacred framework of covenant. It unveils a God who is neither distant nor indifferent, but intimately and actively engaged with His people, relentlessly communicating His divine will and extending persistent invitations to repentance. His "rising up early and speaking" vividly underscores His boundless patience, enduring love, and unwavering desire for reconciliation, even in the face of widespread apostasy and spiritual decay. However, the verse also confronts the devastating reality of human free will and the tragic consequences that inevitably arise from the willful rejection of divine grace. The people's stubborn refusal to "hear" or "answer" demonstrates a profound spiritual deafness and a hardened heart that ultimately leads to righteous judgment, affirming that God's justice is as certain and immutable as His steadfast love. This dynamic tension between divine patience and human stubbornness is a recurring and central theme throughout the entire biblical narrative, emphasizing that true faith is manifested not by mere ritualistic adherence or outward religious performance, but by a responsive, humble, and obedient heart that actively engages with God's word.

* [Proverbs 1:24-33](/proverbs/1-24-33 "Proverbs 1:24-33 - Wisdom's Rejected Call and Its Consequences")
* [Isaiah 65:12](/isaiah/65-12 "Isaiah 65:12 - God's Call Unanswered, Leading to Judgment")
* [Hosea 11:7](/hosea/11-7 "Hosea 11:7 - Though They Call to the Most High, None Exalts Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:13 serves as a timeless and piercing mirror for believers in every generation, challenging us to honestly and critically assess our own responsiveness to God's voice. Just as the LORD diligently and repeatedly spoke to ancient Judah, He continues to communicate with us today through His inspired and living Word, the gentle promptings and convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and the intricate circumstances of our daily lives. The fundamental question for us, therefore, is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are genuinely hearing, discerning, and answering His divine call. Do we, like the people of Judah, allow spiritual apathy, the relentless pursuit of worldly desires, or a false sense of security derived from mere religious routine to dull our spiritual ears and harden our hearts? This profound verse calls us to cultivate a heart that is not only eager to listen intently but also quick to obey and truly willing to repent. It serves as a powerful reminder that authentic faith is not merely intellectual assent to theological truths or outward religious observance, but a dynamic, vibrant, and relational engagement with God that manifests itself in a life characterized by active obedience and genuine responsiveness to His persistent calls. Ignoring God's earnest and patient invitations to walk in His ways ultimately leads to spiritual barrenness, broken fellowship, and painful consequences, whereas a humble, listening, and responsive heart finds abundant life, profound blessing, and deep intimacy with the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific and tangible ways might God be "rising up early and speaking" to me in my life today, through His Word, His Spirit, or my circumstances?**
* **What "works" or patterns of behavior, attitudes, or spiritual complacency in my life might be hindering my ability to truly "hear" and "answer" God's call with a receptive heart?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more responsive heart and a greater spiritual sensitivity to the voice and leading of God in my daily walk?**
* **Considering the consequences faced by Judah, what are the potential personal and communal implications of persistently ignoring God's warnings and gracious invitations in our lives and in the church today?**

### FAQ
**What does "rising up early and speaking" mean in the context of God?**

Answer: The phrase "rising up early and speaking" (Hebrew: *shâkam wᵉdâbar*) is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing a human-like action and characteristic to God. It does not imply that God literally wakes up early in a human sense, but rather it vividly conveys His extraordinary diligence, earnestness, and unwavering persistence in communicating with His people. This idiom signifies that God made every conceivable effort, repeatedly and with profound urgency, to warn Judah of their impending judgment and to call them to repentance. It paints a picture of a diligent parent or a dedicated master who rises before dawn to attend to a crucial matter or to instruct their household, emphasizing the immense depth of God's patience and His profound desire for His people to turn from their destructive ways before the inevitable judgment had to fall.

**What are "all these works" that the people of Judah had done?**

Answer: "All these works" (Hebrew: *maʻăseh*) refers comprehensively to the extensive list of covenant violations and abominable practices meticulously detailed by Jeremiah in the preceding verses, particularly [Jeremiah 7:9](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9 - The Abominations of Judah"). These included grave transgressions such as theft, murder, adultery, perjury, burning incense to the pagan deity Baal, and following other gods previously unknown to them. These were not isolated or incidental missteps but constituted a pervasive and systemic pattern of life that directly contravened the foundational Law of Moses and fundamentally betrayed the covenant relationship God had graciously established with Israel. The phrase "all these works" emphasizes the totality and widespread nature of their rebellion, indicating that their entire societal and individual conduct was characterized by deep-seated sin, despite their outward adherence to certain religious observances and their reliance on the Temple.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:13, with its poignant depiction of God's persistent, "rising up early" communication met with humanity's stubborn unresponsiveness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and tragic echo in the person and redemptive mission of Jesus Christ. God's ancient and tireless efforts to speak through prophets like Jeremiah, who were sent repeatedly to call His people to repentance, culminated in His final and most perfect revelation: speaking through His own Son, as profoundly declared in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son"). Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), is the very embodiment of God's persistent call to repentance, reconciliation, and salvation. He came "to seek and to save the lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and Save the Lost")), tirelessly proclaiming the kingdom of God, performing miracles, and inviting all to believe and follow Him. Yet, just as ancient Judah "heard not" and "answered not" Jeremiah's urgent warnings, many in Jesus's own day, particularly the religious leaders, tragically rejected His divine message and refused to acknowledge Him as the promised Messiah, despite the overwhelming evidence of His miraculous works and authoritative teachings ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own, and His Own Did Not Receive Him")). The cross itself stands as the ultimate testament to both God's persistent, self-sacrificial call to humanity and humanity's ultimate, sinful rejection. Paradoxically, this very act of rejection became the means by which God provided the ultimate and definitive answer to human sin, offering eternal salvation to all who would finally "hear" and "answer" His gracious call to faith in Christ, confessing Him as Lord and believing in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confess and Believe to Be Saved")).

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

Isaiah 65:12

Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose [that] wherein I delighted not.

Jeremiah 7:25

Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]:

2 Chronicles 36:15

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:

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.

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

Isaiah 50:2

Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

Zechariah 7:13

Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: