Jeremiah 7:28

KJV

But thou shalt say unto them, This [is] a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou shalt say {H559} unto them, This is a nation {H1471} that obeyeth {H8085} not the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, nor receiveth {H3947} correction {H4148}: truth {H530} is perished {H6}, and is cut off {H3772} from their mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, say to them, 'This is the nation that has not listened to the voice of ADONAI their God. They won't take correction; faithfulness has perished; it has vanished from their mouths.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore you must say to them, ‘This is the nation that would not listen to the voice of the LORD their God and would not receive correction. Truth has perished; it has disappeared from their lips.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt say unto them, This is the nation that hath not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah their God, nor received instruction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:28 serves as a devastating prophetic indictment against the nation of Judah, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, revealing the profound spiritual apostasy and unyielding rebellion that characterized their relationship with the LORD their God. This verse encapsulates God's summary judgment, declaring that Judah has utterly failed to obey His voice or receive His divine correction, resulting in a complete societal and spiritual collapse where truth itself has vanished from their very discourse and way of life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:28 stands as a climactic declaration within Jeremiah's renowned "Temple Sermon" (chapters 7-10), delivered at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 7:1-15) dismantle the people's false security in the physical Temple, which they believed 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/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple")". Jeremiah, speaking for the LORD, exposes their rampant idolatry, injustice, and empty rituals, calling them to genuine repentance and covenant fidelity. Verses 7:16-27 detail God's rejection of their prayers and sacrifices due to their persistent disobedience, highlighting their stubborn refusal to listen to the prophets God sent. Thus, 7:28 serves as a stark, summary pronouncement of their incorrigible state, a direct consequence of their unyielding rebellion against divine instruction and their abandonment of covenant truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is set during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE), a period marked by political instability, moral decay, and the looming threat of Babylonian invasion. Judah, a vassal state, was caught between the declining Assyrian empire, a resurgent Egypt, and the rising power of Babylon. Culturally, the people had deeply assimilated pagan practices, engaging in syncretism by worshipping foreign gods alongside the LORD, even within the Temple precincts. Socially, injustice, oppression of the vulnerable, and dishonesty were rampant. The concept of "correction" (Hebrew: *mûwçâr*) was deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions and Israelite covenant theology, signifying divine discipline, instruction, and moral training intended to lead to righteousness and avert judgment. Judah's refusal to receive this correction indicated a profound rejection of their covenant responsibilities and God's loving attempts to guide them.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Jeremiah's prophecy. First, **Profound Disobedience** is the central accusation, highlighting Judah's systemic and deliberate rejection of God's covenant commands and the moral and ceremonial laws given at Sinai. Their actions directly contradicted their identity as God's chosen people, demonstrating a deep-seated rebellion against the divine will. Second, the **Refusal of Correction** underscores their stubborn impenitence. Despite God's persistent efforts through prophets and various forms of discipline, the people consistently refused to learn, repent, or turn back. This resistance to divine instruction is a hallmark of their spiritual decline, a theme echoed in wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 15:32](/proverbs/15-32 "Proverbs 15:32 - Rejecting Instruction Leads to Self-Destruction"), 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 do not speak truthfully, but that integrity, faithfulness, reliability, and genuine covenant fidelity have vanished from their society and public discourse. This profound moral void made genuine repentance or restoration incredibly difficult, leading to the inevitable judgment described in [Jeremiah 7:15](/jeremiah/7-15 "Jeremiah 7:15 - God's Rejection of Shiloh and Judah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **nation (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term (H1471) typically refers to a foreign nation or Gentile people. Its use here for Judah is highly significant and deeply ironic. It implies that Judah, despite being God's covenant people, had become indistinguishable from pagan nations in their behavior and spiritual rebellion. They no longer acted as God's distinct, holy people but had degenerated to the level of those who did not know the LORD, thus forfeiting their unique identity and privilege.
* **correction (Hebrew, _mûwçâr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to discipline" or "to instruct," *mûwçâr* (H4148) encompasses chastisement, reproof, warning, and moral instruction. It signifies the divine discipline and teaching that God lovingly provides to guide His people toward righteousness. 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 inevitable self-destruction.
* **truth (Hebrew, _ʼĕmûwnâh'_):** This word (H530) signifies firmness, security, fidelity, and faithfulness. It speaks 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 emphasizes the divine origin and prophetic authority of the message. Jeremiah is not speaking his own words but delivering a direct, unvarnished pronouncement from the LORD to His rebellious people. It highlights the confrontational nature of God's final warning.
* **"This [is] a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God,"**: This is the core accusation. Judah is identified as a "nation" (*gôwy*), a term usually 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 is not a passive ignorance but an active defiance of their covenant Lord.
* **"nor receiveth correction:"**: This clause amplifies the previous one, detailing the stubborn impenitence of the people. God had provided "correction" (*mûwçâr*)—discipline, instruction, and reproof—intended for their good, but they consistently refused to "take" or "accept" (*lâqach*) it. This highlights their hardened hearts and unwillingness to learn from their mistakes or God's loving discipline.
* **"truth is perished,"**: This powerful declaration signifies a profound 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 and covenant fidelity.
* **"and is cut off from their mouth."**: This final phrase vividly illustrates the extent of the moral collapse. The truth, which has already "perished," is now also "cut off" (*kârath*) from their "mouth" (*peh*, H6310), the 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 and falsehood dominate, making genuine repentance impossible without divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:28 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its stark message. The use of **Personification** is evident in the declaration that "truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth." Truth, an abstract concept, 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 **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 impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:28 profoundly underscores the biblical principle that 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, 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.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Perishing for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Isaiah 59:14-15](/isaiah/59-14 "Isaiah 59:14-15 - Truth Stumbles in the Street")

### 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, 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
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's voice or refusing His correction, perhaps unknowingly?**
* **How does the "perishing of truth" manifest in our contemporary society, and what is my role in upholding or eroding it?**
* **Am I relying on external religious observances or a false sense of security, rather than cultivating genuine obedience and a receptive heart towards God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that truth, integrity, and faithfulness are not "cut off from my mouth" but are actively expressed in my words and actions?**

### FAQ
**What does "truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth" truly mean?**

Answer: 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?**

Answer: 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](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple")). 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](/jeremiah/7-18 "Jeremiah 7:18 - Worshipping the Queen of Heaven")) 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 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?**

Answer: Absolutely. Jeremiah 7:28 carries timeless relevance. 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 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 picture of humanity's fallen state, characterized by a hardened heart, a refusal to obey God's voice, and the perishing of truth from human lips. This profound spiritual malady finds its ultimate remedy and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Where Judah failed to obey, Christ perfectly embodied obedience, declaring, "[I always do what pleases Him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")" and "[Not My will, but Yours be done](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")". He is the very **Truth** that Judah had lost, proclaiming, "[I am the way, and the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")". In Him, truth is not perished or cut off, but fully manifest and embodied.

The "correction" that Judah refused to receive is perfectly offered through Christ's redemptive work. His life, teachings, and ultimately His atoning death on the cross provide the ultimate divine instruction and discipline, leading to true repentance and reconciliation. 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 relationship with God. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, promises a 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](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), enabling them to truly hear and obey His voice. Thus, the desperate condition described in Jeremiah 7:28 highlights the profound need for a Savior, a need perfectly met in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the obedient Son, the embodiment of Truth, and the source of genuine correction leading to life.

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 59:14

And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Isaiah 59:15

Yea, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.

Isaiah 1:4

Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

Isaiah 1:5

Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

Proverbs 1:7

¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Zephaniah 3:2

She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

Jeremiah 32:33

And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching [them], yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.