Jeremiah 7:2

Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

Stand {H5975} in the gate {H8179} of the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004}, and proclaim {H7121} there this word {H1697}, and say {H559}, Hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, all ye of Judah {H3063}, that enter in {H935} at these gates {H8179} to worship {H7812} the LORD {H3068}.

"Stand at the gate of the house of ADONAI and proclaim this word: 'Listen to the word of ADONAI, all you from Y'hudah who enter these gates to worship ADONAI!

“Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and proclaim this message: Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD.

Stand in the gate of Jehovah’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Jehovah.

Jeremiah 7:2 introduces one of the most critical and confrontational messages delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, often referred to as the "Temple Sermon." This verse sets the stage for a powerful divine rebuke against the superficial faith of Judah.

Context

In the late 7th century BC, Judah was facing imminent judgment due to widespread idolatry, injustice, and spiritual apostasy, despite continuing religious rituals. The people had developed a false sense of security, believing that the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem guaranteed God's protection and prevented any calamity, regardless of their behavior. Jeremiah, commanded by the LORD, is instructed to take a highly public and symbolic stand: "Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house." This was the main entrance to the Temple complex, a bustling hub where people entered for worship, sacrifices, and daily life. His audience was explicitly "all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD," directly addressing those who engaged in religious practices without true repentance or obedience.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission: The phrase "proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD" underscores that Jeremiah is not speaking his own thoughts, but delivering a direct, authoritative message from God.
  • Urgency and Public Confrontation: Being positioned at the Temple gate ensured the message would be heard by a large, representative cross-section of the population, emphasizing the seriousness and immediate nature of God's indictment.
  • Call to Authentic Listening: The command "Hear the word of the LORD" is not merely an invitation to listen passively, but a demand for active attention and obedience. This call to hear God's voice was a foundational principle of the covenant, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 6:4.
  • Challenging False Security: This verse immediately signals that the sermon will dismantle the people's misguided trust in external religious forms over internal spiritual transformation.

Linguistic Insights

The imperative "Hear the word of the LORD" translates the Hebrew Shim'u Dvar Adonai. This is a common and powerful prophetic opening, signaling a crucial message from God that demands not just auditory reception but also a change of heart and action. It highlights God's persistent desire for His people to genuinely engage with His commands.

Prophetic Significance

Jeremiah 7:2 sets the stage for one of the most impactful prophetic sermons in the Old Testament, where Jeremiah famously declares, "Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these" (Jeremiah 7:4). This opening verse prepares the people for a message that challenges their deepest religious assumptions. Jeremiah will go on to warn that without genuine repentance and a change in their sinful ways, God would destroy the Temple itself, just as He had abandoned His sanctuary at Shiloh (Jeremiah 7:12).

Practical Application

This verse holds timeless relevance for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that true worship and faith are not about mere attendance, ritual, or outward religious affiliation, but about a sincere heart that obeys God's word and lives righteously. We are continually called to "hear the word of the LORD" with attentive hearts, allowing it to expose our own areas of complacency or hypocrisy, and to guide our lives toward genuine devotion rather than relying on empty religious practices.

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.

  • Jeremiah 26:2

    Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

  • Jeremiah 22:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,

  • Jeremiah 22:2

    And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

  • Amos 7:16

    Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not [thy word] against the house of Isaac.

  • Isaiah 1:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  • Ezekiel 2:4

    For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 2:5

    And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they [are] a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

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