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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Jeremiah 7:21–28. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
God, having shown the people that the temple would not protect them while they polluted it with their wickedness, here shows them that their sacrifices would not atone for them, nor be accepted, while they went on in disobedience. See with what contempt he here speaks of their ceremonial service (Jer 7:21). "Put your burnt-offerings to your sacrifices; go on in them as long as you please; add one sort of sacrifice to another; turn your burnt-offerings (which were to be wholly burnt to the honour of God) into peace-offerings" (which the offerer himself had a considerable share of), "that you may eat flesh, for that is all the good you are likely to have from your sacrifices, a good meal's meat or two; but expect not any other benefit by them while you live at this loose rate. Keep your sacrifices to yourselves" (so some understand it); "let them be served up at your own table, for they are no way acceptable at God's altars." For the opening of this,
I.He shows them that obedience was the only thing he required of them, Jer 7:22, Jer 7:23.
He appeals to the original contract, by which they were first formed into a people, when they were brought out of Egypt. God made them a kingdom of priests to himself, not that he might be regaled with their sacrifices, as the devils, whom the heathen worshipped, which are represented as eating with pleasure the fat of their sacrifices and drinking the wine of their drink-offerings, Deu 32:38. No: Will God eat the flesh of bulls? Psa 50:13. I spoke not to your fathers concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices, not of them at first. The precepts of the moral law were given before the ceremonial institutions; and those came afterwards, as trials of their obedience and assistances to their repentance and faith. The Levitical law begins thus: If any man of you will bring an offering, he must do so and so (Lev 1:2, Lev 2:1), as if it were intended rather to regulate sacrifice than to require it. But that which God commanded, which he bound them to by his supreme authority and which he insisted upon as the condition of the covenant, was, Obey my voice; see Exo 15:26, where this was the statute and the ordinance by which God proved them: Hearken diligently to the voice of the Lord thy God. The condition of their being God's peculiar people was this (Exo 19:5), If you will obey my voice indeed. "Make conscience of the duties of natural religion, observe positive institutions from a principle of obedience, and then I will be your God and you shall be my people," which is the greatest honour, happiness, and satisfaction, that any of the children of men are capable of. "Let your conversation be regular, and in every thing study to comply with the will and word of God; walk within the bounds that I have set you, and in all the ways that I have commanded you, and then you may assure yourselves that it shall be well with you." The demand here is very reasonable, that we should be directed by Infinite Wisdom to that which is fit, that he that made us should command us, and that he should give us law who gives us our being and all the supports of it; and the promise is very encouraging: Let God's will be your rule and his favour shall be your felicity.
II.He shows them that disobedience was the only thing for which he had a quarrel with them.
He would not reprove them for their sacrifices, for the omission of them; they had been continually before him (Psa 50:8); with them they hoped to bribe God, and purchase a license to go on in sin. That therefore which God had all along laid to their charge was breaking his commandments in the course of their conversation, while they observed them, in some instances, in the course of their devotion, Jer 7:24, Jer 7:25, etc.
1.They set up their own will in competition with the will of God: They hearkened not to God and to his law; they never heeded that; it was to them as if it had never been given or were of no force; they inclined not their ear to attend to it, much less their hearts to comply with it. But they would have their own way, would do as they chose, and not as they were bidden. Their own counsels were their guide, and not the dictates of divine wisdom; that shall be lawful and good with them which they think so, though the word of God says quite contrary. The imagination of their evil heart, the appetites and passions of it, shall be a law to them, and they will walk in the way of it, and in the sight of their eyes.
2.If they began well, yet they did not proceed, but soon flew off. They went backward, when they talked of making a captain, and returning to Egypt again, and would not go forward under God's conduct. They promised fair: All that the Lord shall say unto us we well do; and, if they would but have kept in that good mind, all would have been well; but, instead of going on in the way of duty, they drew back into the way of sin, and were worse than ever.
3.When God sent to them by word of mouth to put them in mind of the written word, which was the business of the prophets, it was all one; still they were disobedient. God had servants of his among them in every age, since they came out of Egypt unto this day, some or other to tell them of their faults and put them in mind of their duty, whom he rose up early to send (as before, Jer 7:13), as men rise up early to call servants to their work; but they were as deaf to the prophets as they were to the law (Jer 7:26): Yet they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear. This had been their way and manner all along; they were of the same stubborn refractory disposition with those that went before them; it had all along been the genius of the nation, and an evil genius it was, that continually haunted them till it ruined them at last.
4.Their practice and character were still the same. They are worse, and not better, than their fathers. (1.) Jeremiah can himself witness against them that they were disobedient, or he shall soon find it so (Jer 7:27): "Thou shalt speak all these words to them, shalt particularly charge them with disobedience and obstinacy. But even that will not work upon them: They will not hearken to thee, nor heed thee. Thou shalt go, and call to them with all the plainness and earnestness imaginable, but they will not answer thee; they will either give thee no answer at all or not an obedient answer; they will not come at thy call." (2.) He must therefore own that they deserved the character of a disobedient people, that were ripe for destruction, and must go to them and tell them so to their faces (Jer 7:28): "Say unto them, This is a nation that obeys not the voice of the Lord their God. They are notorious for their obstinacy; they sacrifice to the Lord as their God, but they will not be ruled by him as their God; they will not receive either the instruction of his word or the correction of his rod; they will not be reclaimed or reformed by either. Truth has perished among them; they cannot receive it; they will not submit to it nor be governed by it. They will not speak truth; there is no believing a word they say, for it is cut off from their mouth, and lying comes in the room of it. They are false both to God and man."
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
The wrath of the Lord, therefore, is just. It is kindled and poured out on a contemptuous and stiff-necked people who are unwilling to hear the words of God. Yet, as we said above, how God continued to send prophets to them all day long and even through the night!
(Verse 27, 28.) And you shall speak to them all these words, and they will not listen to you. And you shall call to them, and they will not respond to you. And you shall say to them: This is a people who has not heard the voice of their Lord God, nor received discipline. Faith has perished and has been taken away from their mouth. Do not doubt, he says, that they have hardened their neck, and have done worse than their fathers. Behold, I give them a place for repentance: and yet I do not speak that they may become, but because they will be, therefore I foretell. Speak now to them with my words, and yet they will not listen to you; and you will call to them, and they will not respond to you. For their pride will be so great that when you call them to hear, no one will deign to respond. And you will say to them: This is a nation that has not heard the voice of their God, nor received discipline. Beautifully, as I have said before, he calls not his people, but a nation. Although this was done in part during the time of the Prophets, and it has preceded in shadow and in image, it is more fully fulfilled in Christ, when they refused to receive discipline and despised the voice of their Lord. Where elegantly is inferred: Faith has perished, which properly belongs to Christians; and it has been taken away from their lips: namely, all confession of the Son of God and of faith.
“Have no doubt,” he says, “that they are stiff-necked and that their works are worse than those of their ancestors. Behold, I give them a place of penance. I do not speak that they may repent, but I only predict what is coming. In any event, you will now speak my word to them and they will not listen to you, and you will call them and they will not answer you, for they are so prideful that when you ask them for a hearing, no one will even bother to respond. And you should then say to them: This is the generation who did not listen to the voice of the Lord their God or accepted his discipline.” It is beautiful, as I said before, not that he calls his own people, but that he calls the human race. For, although at the time of the prophets, it was done in part and as a foreshadowing, it was only fulfilled in Christ, when they refused to accept discipline and despised the voice of their Lord. Thus, Jeremiah has the apt phrase: “faith has perished”—which is distinctive of Christians—“and was removed from their mouth,” clearly referring to the confession of faith of the child of God.
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Summary
Jeremiah 7:28 delivers a searing prophetic indictment against the nation of Judah, encapsulating God's profound judgment on their unyielding rebellion and spiritual apostasy. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD declares that Judah has utterly failed to obey His divine voice or receive His loving correction, leading to a comprehensive societal and spiritual collapse where truth itself has vanished from their very discourse and way of life, marking a complete forfeiture of their covenant relationship.
Context
Literary Context
Jeremiah 7:28 serves as a climactic and devastating pronouncement within Jeremiah's seminal "Temple Sermon" (chapters 7-10), delivered at the very gate of the Jerusalem Temple. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 7:1-15) systematically dismantle the people's false security, which rested on the erroneous belief that the physical Temple would protect them regardless of their moral and spiritual state, as evidenced by their repeated chant, "The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these!". Jeremiah, speaking with divine authority, exposes their rampant idolatry, social injustice, and empty religious rituals, urgently calling them to genuine repentance and covenant fidelity. Verses 7:16-27 detail God's resolute rejection of their prayers and sacrifices due to their persistent disobedience and stubborn refusal to heed the prophets He sent. Thus, 7:28 stands as a stark, summary declaration of Judah's incorrigible spiritual condition, a direct and inevitable consequence of their unyielding rebellion against divine instruction and their abandonment of covenant truth.
Historical & Cultural Context
This prophecy unfolds during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE), a period characterized by significant political instability, moral decay, and the ominous shadow of the rising Babylonian empire. Judah, reduced to a vassal state, was precariously positioned between the waning power of Assyria, a resurgent Egypt, and the burgeoning might of Babylon. Culturally, the people had deeply assimilated pagan practices, engaging in egregious syncretism by worshipping foreign deities alongside the LORD, even desecrating the sacred Temple precincts. Socially, injustice, the oppression of the vulnerable, and pervasive dishonesty were rampant throughout society. The concept of "correction" (Hebrew: mûwçâr) was deeply ingrained in both ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and Israelite covenant theology, signifying divine discipline, instruction, and moral training intended to guide individuals and the nation toward righteousness and avert judgment. Judah's resolute refusal to "receive" this correction indicated a profound rejection of their covenant responsibilities and God's persistent, loving attempts to guide them back to faithfulness.
Key Themes
Jeremiah 7:28 powerfully articulates several core themes that resonate throughout Jeremiah's prophetic message. First, Profound Disobedience emerges as the central accusation, highlighting Judah's systemic, deliberate, and active rejection of God's covenant commands, including the moral and ceremonial laws revealed at Sinai. Their actions directly contradicted their identity as God's chosen people, demonstrating a deep-seated rebellion against the divine will, leading to a forfeiture of their unique status. Second, the Refusal of Correction underscores their stubborn impenitence. Despite God's persistent efforts through His prophets and various forms of discipline, the people consistently refused to learn, repent, or turn back to Him. This unwavering resistance to divine instruction is a hallmark of their spiritual decline, a theme echoed in wisdom literature, such as Proverbs 15:32, which warns that "He who disdains instruction despises his own soul." Finally, the Loss of Truth signifies a complete moral and spiritual collapse. The declaration that "truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth" implies not only that they no longer speak truthfully, but that integrity, faithfulness, reliability, and genuine covenant fidelity have utterly vanished from their society and public discourse. This profound moral void rendered genuine repentance or restoration incredibly difficult, leading inevitably to the severe judgment described in Jeremiah 7:15.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H1471) is defined as "a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts." Its application to Judah here is highly significant and deeply ironic. By calling His covenant people a "nation" (gôwy), Jeremiah implies that Judah, through its behavior and spiritual rebellion, had become indistinguishable from pagan nations. They no longer acted as God's distinct, holy people but had degenerated to the level of those who did not know the LORD, thereby forfeiting their unique identity and privileges.
Derived from a root meaning "to discipline" or "to instruct," mûwçâr (H4148) is defined as "properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint." It encompasses the divine discipline, teaching, and reproof that God lovingly provides to guide His people toward righteousness and avert destructive paths. Judah's refusal to "receive" (lâqach, H3947, "to take, accept") this correction indicates a deliberate and hardened heart, unwilling to be shaped or guided by God's wisdom, leading to their inevitable self-destruction.
This word (H530) is defined as "literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity; faith(-ful, -ly, -ness, (man)), set office, stability, steady, truly, truth, verily." It signifies firmness, security, fidelity, and faithfulness, speaking to integrity, reliability, and steadfast adherence to covenant obligations. When Jeremiah declares that ʼĕmûwnâh has "perished" (ʼâbad, H6, "to wander away, lose oneself, perish") and is "cut off" (kârath, H3772, "to cut off, destroy") from their mouth, it indicates a complete absence of integrity, trustworthiness, and covenant loyalty, not merely in their speech but in their very being and public life.
Verse Breakdown
"But thou shalt say unto them,"
This opening clause powerfully emphasizes the divine origin and prophetic authority of the message. Jeremiah is not speaking his own words or opinions but is delivering a direct, unvarnished, and authoritative pronouncement from the LORD to His rebellious people. It highlights the confrontational and definitive nature of God's final warning and judgment.
"This [is] a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God,"
This is the core accusation against Judah. They are identified as a "nation" (gôwy), a term typically reserved for Gentiles, underscoring their forfeiture of their unique covenant relationship. Their fundamental sin is a persistent and active refusal to "hear intelligently" or "obey" (shâmaʻ, H8085) the divine word and commands communicated through prophets and the Law. This signifies not passive ignorance but active defiance of their covenant Lord.
"nor receiveth correction:"
This clause amplifies the preceding one, detailing the stubborn impenitence of the people. God had consistently provided "correction" (mûwçâr)—discipline, instruction, and reproof—intended for their good and restoration, but they consistently refused to "take" or "accept" (lâqach) it. This highlights their hardened hearts, their unwillingness to learn from their mistakes, or to submit to God's loving discipline.
"truth is perished,"
This powerful declaration signifies a profound and pervasive moral and spiritual decay. "Truth" (ʼĕmûwnâh), encompassing faithfulness, integrity, and reliability, is depicted as having "perished" (ʼâbad), meaning it has ceased to exist or has been lost entirely within their society. This suggests a complete breakdown of moral order, covenant fidelity, and the very foundation of trust.
"and is cut off from their mouth."
This final phrase vividly illustrates the devastating extent of the moral collapse. The truth, which has already "perished," is now also "cut off" (kârath) from their "mouth" (peh, H6310), the primary organ of speech and expression. This implies a society where honest discourse, faithful promises, and integrity in communication are utterly absent. It speaks to a deep-seated corruption where deceit, falsehood, and unreliability dominate, making genuine repentance or restoration seem impossible without radical divine intervention.
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:28 employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and devastating message. The use of Personification is striking in the declaration that "truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth." Truth, an abstract concept encompassing fidelity and integrity, is given human qualities of dying and being severed, emphasizing its complete absence and the active role of the people in its demise. This is further amplified by Hyperbole, as the statement implies a total and absolute lack of truth, suggesting that integrity has vanished entirely from their society and discourse, rather than merely being diminished. The phrase "from their mouth" also functions as a powerful Metonymy, where "mouth" represents speech, utterance, and the very expression of their character and values. Thus, the cutting off of truth from their mouth signifies a profound moral corruption where deceit and falsehood have become ingrained in their communication and way of life. Overall, the verse functions as a powerful Prophetic Indictment, a formal and severe accusation from God delivered through His prophet, underscoring the gravity of Judah's rebellion and the inevitability of divine judgment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Jeremiah 7:28 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that a genuine relationship with God is predicated on a receptive heart and obedient living, not on mere religious ritual or external observance. It reveals God's character as one who consistently calls His people to covenant faithfulness and offers correction through His word and discipline, yet also as a just judge who will not indefinitely tolerate persistent rebellion and the abandonment of truth. The verse highlights the devastating consequences of rejecting divine authority and instruction, leading to a spiritual and moral vacuum where foundational virtues like truth and integrity cease to exist. This spiritual decay inevitably invites divine judgment, as the covenant relationship, built on mutual fidelity, has been fundamentally broken by the people's unfaithfulness. The perishing of truth from their mouth signifies a society that has lost its moral compass and its capacity for genuine communication with God and one another.
Reflection and Application
Jeremiah 7:28 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the spiritual dangers of our own age and calling us to profound self-examination. It powerfully reminds us that true faith is not merely intellectual assent or participation in religious activities, but a dynamic, living relationship characterized by a humble heart that actively listens to and obeys God's voice. In a world saturated with information and competing narratives, where objective truth is often questioned or dismissed, the call to discern and cling to divine truth is more urgent than ever. Our willingness to receive correction—whether from the clear teachings of Scripture, the wise counsel of spiritual mentors, or even the natural consequences of our actions—is a vital indicator of our spiritual maturity and our desire for genuine transformation. When truth perishes from our mouths, individually or collectively, integrity erodes, trust collapses, and the very fabric of healthy relationships, both human and divine, begins to unravel. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, a hunger for righteousness, and an unwavering commitment to speak and live truthfully, allowing God's word to shape our character and guide our steps, lest we too fall prey to the hardened heart and the spiritual decay that afflicted ancient Judah.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth" truly mean?
This phrase signifies a profound and comprehensive moral and spiritual decay within Judah. "Truth" (Hebrew: ʼĕmûwnâh) here encompasses more than just factual accuracy; it refers to faithfulness, integrity, reliability, and covenant loyalty. When Jeremiah declares it has "perished" (ʼâbad), it means it has ceased to exist or been lost entirely from their society. The additional phrase "cut off from their mouth" implies that truth is not only absent from their character and actions but also from their speech and public discourse. It means they no longer speak honestly, make reliable promises, or live with integrity. Their words are deceitful, and their lives are devoid of the faithfulness expected of God's covenant people. This moral void made genuine repentance or restoration incredibly difficult, as the very foundation for trustworthy communication and righteous living had collapsed.
Why was Judah so resistant to God's voice and correction?
Judah's resistance stemmed from a combination of factors, primarily a hardened heart and a false sense of security. They had grown complacent, believing that their status as God's chosen people and the presence of the Temple in Jerusalem guaranteed their protection, regardless of their behavior (as seen in Jeremiah 7:4). This led to a spiritual arrogance and a refusal to acknowledge their sin. Furthermore, their deep entanglement with idolatry and pagan practices (e.g., Jeremiah 7:18) had dulled their spiritual senses and made them unwilling to abandon the practices that pleased them, even if they displeased God. They preferred their own ways and the deceptive counsel of false prophets over the challenging, convicting words of true prophets like Jeremiah, who called them to radical repentance.
Is this verse still relevant for believers today?
Absolutely. Jeremiah 7:28 carries timeless relevance for all who claim to follow God. It serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency, the dangers of external religiosity without internal transformation, and the devastating consequences of rejecting divine instruction. For individuals, it calls for a humble and receptive heart, eager to hear God's voice through His Word and willing to receive correction for growth. For communities and the church, it underscores the vital importance of upholding truth, integrity, and faithfulness in all aspects of life and ministry. In an age where objective truth is often relativized or distorted, the call to be people whose lives and words are marked by ʼĕmûwnâh (truth/faithfulness) is as critical as ever to maintain genuine witness and avoid the spiritual decay that afflicted ancient Judah.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Jeremiah 7:28 paints a bleak and accurate picture of humanity's fallen state, characterized by a hardened heart, a categorical refusal to obey God's voice, and the tragic perishing of truth from human lips. This profound spiritual malady, which afflicted ancient Judah, finds its ultimate remedy and glorious fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Where Judah failed to obey, Christ perfectly embodied obedience, declaring, "I always do what pleases Him" and submitting His will to the Father's even unto death, praying, "Not My will, but Yours be done". He is the very Truth that Judah had lost, proclaiming, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life". In Him, truth is not perished or cut off, but fully manifest, embodied, and eternally present.
The "correction" that Judah so stubbornly refused to receive is perfectly offered through Christ's redemptive work. His sinless life, authoritative teachings, and ultimately His atoning death on the cross provide the ultimate divine instruction and discipline, leading to genuine repentance and reconciliation with God. Through His sacrifice, the chasm created by human disobedience and the perishing of truth is bridged, offering a path for humanity to be restored to a right and living relationship with God. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's precious blood, promises a radical transformation of the heart, where God's law is written not on stone tablets, but on the very hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:33), enabling them to truly hear, understand, and obey His voice. Thus, the desperate spiritual condition described in Jeremiah 7:28 powerfully highlights the profound and universal need for a Savior, a need perfectly met in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the perfectly obedient Son, the very embodiment of Truth, and the divine source of genuine correction leading to eternal life.