Jeremiah 7:27

KJV

Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thou shalt speak {H1696} all these words {H1697} unto them; but they will not hearken {H8085} to thee: thou shalt also call {H7121} unto them; but they will not answer {H6030} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

So tell them all this; but they won't listen to you; likewise, call to them; but they won't answer you.

Berean Standard Bible

When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:27 is a poignant divine commission to the prophet Jeremiah, revealing God's foreknowledge of Judah's unyielding rebellion. Despite God's persistent efforts to communicate His will and call His people to repentance, He instructs Jeremiah to continue delivering the message, knowing full well that they will refuse to listen or respond. This verse underscores the profound spiritual deafness of the nation and the challenging, often unrewarding, nature of the prophetic ministry in the face of such hardened hearts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:27 is situated within Jeremiah's powerful "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), delivered at the gate of the Lord's house. This sermon is a direct confrontation of Judah's false security in the presence of the Temple, while their lives were rife with idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 7:21-26) emphasize God's preference for obedience over ritual sacrifice, highlighting how their ancestors consistently turned away from Him, mirroring the current generation's stubbornness. This particular verse serves as a bleak summation of the inevitable outcome of Jeremiah's faithful proclamation, reinforcing the pattern of rejection that has plagued Israel's history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. The people of Judah, particularly under King Jehoiakim, had fallen into deep apostasy, combining the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices and engaging in social injustices. Culturally, there was a widespread, misguided belief that the sheer presence of the Temple in Jerusalem guaranteed God's protection, regardless of their moral conduct (as seen in [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Trust in the Temple")). This false confidence led to a spiritual complacency and an unwillingness to heed prophetic warnings, even as the geopolitical storm clouds of Babylonian power gathered on the horizon, threatening their very existence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty**, as God, in His omniscience, declares the people's future rejection even before Jeremiah speaks. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Persistent Disobedience and Spiritual Deafness** of Judah, revealing a deep-seated unwillingness to "hearken" or "answer" God's call for repentance, a pattern seen repeatedly from the Exodus generation through the prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:4](/jeremiah/25-4 "Jeremiah 25:4 - God Sends Prophets Repeatedly")). Thirdly, it illuminates the **Difficult and Unpopular Nature of the Prophetic Calling**, emphasizing Jeremiah's unwavering obedience to God's command despite the guaranteed lack of positive human response, a theme central to Jeremiah's personal struggles (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:7-8](/jeremiah/1-7 "Jeremiah 1:7-8 - Jeremiah's Commission")). Finally, it tragically foreshadows the **Futility of Unheeded Warnings**, where consistent rejection of divine counsel inevitably leads to judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, this primitive root means "to arrange" but is figuratively used for "to speak." In Jeremiah 7:27, it signifies God's direct command to Jeremiah to articulate and deliver His divine message. It implies a formal, authoritative declaration, not merely casual conversation, emphasizing the gravity and origin of the words.
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this word means "to hear intelligently," often carrying the implication of attention, understanding, and crucially, obedience. When the text states "they will not hearken," it indicates a deliberate and active refusal to internalize God's word, to pay attention to its meaning, and to act upon its demands for repentance and change. It's more than just hearing sound; it's a refusal to obey.
* **answer (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** From H6030, this root properly means "to eye" or "to heed," and by implication, "to respond." In this context, it refers to a positive, affirmative response to God's call or appeal. The people's refusal to "answer" signifies their complete lack of positive engagement with God's message, their unwillingness to acknowledge their sin, and their stubborn rejection of the path to restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them;":** This clause highlights God's unwavering command to Jeremiah. Despite knowing the outcome, God insists that His message be delivered in its entirety ("all these words"). This emphasizes God's faithfulness in warning His people and His commitment to providing them every opportunity to repent, even when His foreknowledge reveals their obstinacy.
* **"but they will not hearken to thee:":** This phrase reveals the anticipated, tragic response of the people. Their refusal to "hearken" signifies a deep-seated spiritual deafness and a deliberate unwillingness to listen with understanding and obedience. It's a rejection not of the messenger, but of the message itself, and ultimately, of God who sent it.
* **"thou shalt also call unto them;":** This reiterates the prophet's duty to persist in his ministry. The word "call" (from H7121, _qârâʼ_) implies an urgent summons, an invitation, or a proclamation. Jeremiah is to continue appealing to them, perhaps with increasing urgency or different forms of address, demonstrating God's continued patience and desire for their return.
* **"but they will not answer thee.":** This final phrase mirrors the earlier rejection, reinforcing the people's complete and utter unresponsiveness. It signifies their refusal to engage, to repent, or to respond positively to God's repeated invitations. This double negative ("not hearken," "not answer") powerfully underscores the totality of their rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark message. **Repetition** is evident in the parallel structure of the two clauses, "they will not hearken to thee" and "they will not answer thee," which emphasizes the absolute and unwavering nature of the people's rejection. This creates a strong sense of **Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse reinforces and intensifies the first, highlighting both the prophet's persistent effort and the people's consistent refusal. There is also a profound **Irony** at play: God's chosen people, who were meant to be His voice to the nations, are themselves deaf to His own voice. Furthermore, the verse subtly conveys **Divine Pathos**, as God, in His omniscience, knows the pain of His word being rejected, yet He faithfully commands its proclamation, revealing His enduring love and justice even in the face of human rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:27 is a stark portrayal of the recurring biblical theme of divine communication met with human resistance. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to speaking His truth, even when His foreknowledge dictates that His message will be rejected. This divine persistence, coupled with human stubbornness, sets the stage for the inevitable consequences of unheeded warnings. The verse underscores the profound responsibility that comes with hearing God's word and the tragic spiritual consequences of hardening one's heart against it. It is a testament to God's justice, which allows humanity to choose its path, even if that path leads to judgment, while simultaneously affirming His grace in providing ample warning.
* [Isaiah 6:9-10](/isaiah/6-9 "Isaiah 6:9-10 - Hardening of Hearts")
* [Ezekiel 3:4-7](/ekiel/3-4 "Ezekiel 3:4-7 - A Prophet to a Rebellious House")
* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:27 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers and the church, challenging us to examine the posture of our hearts towards God's word. It reminds us that hearing is not enough; true spiritual vitality requires "hearkening"—listening with attention, understanding, and a readiness to obey. In a world saturated with information and competing voices, the danger of spiritual deafness remains potent, leading to a hardening of hearts that can render us unresponsive to divine truth. For those called to proclaim God's word, this verse offers both a sobering reality check and a powerful encouragement: faithfulness to the message is paramount, regardless of the immediate reception. Our calling is to speak God's "all these words," trusting Him with the outcome, even when met with indifference or outright hostility. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility and responsiveness, ensuring that when God speaks, we are not only listening but actively ready to answer with obedience and transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be "hearing" God's word but failing to "hearken" or "answer" with obedience?**
* **How does the foreknowledge of God in this verse impact your understanding of His sovereignty and human free will?**
* **If you are called to share God's truth, how does Jeremiah's experience encourage or challenge you in the face of potential rejection?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more responsive and less hardened heart towards God's voice?**

### FAQ
**Does God's foreknowledge of their rejection negate the people's free will?**

Answer: No, God's foreknowledge does not negate the people's free will. Jeremiah 7:27 demonstrates God's omniscience, meaning He knows what choices people will make before they make them. However, this knowledge does not cause or compel their choices. The people of Judah freely chose to harden their hearts and reject God's word, despite His repeated warnings through Jeremiah. God's command for Jeremiah to "speak all these words unto them" underscores that the opportunity for repentance was genuinely offered, and their rejection was a result of their own deliberate will, not divine predetermination of their actions. This tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, affirming both God's ultimate control and humanity's moral accountability for their choices.

**What is the significance of the repetition of "they will not hearken" and "they will not answer"?**

Answer: The repetition of "they will not hearken to thee" and "they will not answer thee" is highly significant. It serves to emphasize the absolute and comprehensive nature of Judah's spiritual rebellion and unresponsiveness. "Hearken" (Hebrew _shâmaʻ_) implies not just hearing sound, but listening with understanding and a readiness to obey. "Answer" (Hebrew _ʻânâh_) implies a positive, affirmative response to a call or appeal, particularly a call to repentance. By stating both, the text highlights that the people were not merely passively ignoring God; they were actively and deliberately refusing to comprehend, internalize, or respond positively to His message. This double negative underscores the depth of their spiritual deafness and the futility of Jeremiah's efforts to persuade them, not because of his failure, but because of their hardened hearts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:27, with its somber portrayal of a prophet faithfully delivering God's word only to be met with unyielding rejection, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah was commanded to speak "all these words" to a rebellious people who would not "hearken" or "answer," so too did Jesus, the Word made flesh, come to His own people, speaking the very words of God with perfect authority and grace. Yet, tragically, He was met with the same, if not greater, spiritual deafness and rejection. [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He came to His own") laments, "He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him." Jesus Himself expressed profound sorrow over Jerusalem's unwillingness to embrace His divine invitation: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were unwilling!" ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem")). The prophet's experience in Jeremiah 7:27 foreshadows the ultimate rejection of the Messiah, who spoke truth, performed miracles, and offered salvation, yet was ultimately crucified by those He came to save. His suffering and death on the cross represent the pinnacle of humanity's refusal to "hearken" or "answer" God's ultimate call, yet it is through this very rejection that God's redemptive plan was accomplished, offering a path to true hearing and responsive faith for all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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 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:

Jeremiah 1:7

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

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 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:

Isaiah 6:9

¶ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.