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Jeremiah 19:3

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And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

And say {H559}, Hear {H8085} ye the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, O kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and inhabitants {H3427} of Jerusalem {H3389}; Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Behold, I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon this place {H4725}, the which whosoever heareth {H8085}, his ears {H241} shall tingle {H6750}.

Say: 'Hear the word of ADONAI, kings of Y'hudah and inhabitants of Yerushalayim! This is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: "I am about to bring disaster on this place that will make the ears of whoever hears about it ring.

saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring,

and say, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

Commentary

Jeremiah 19:3 delivers a stark and solemn warning from the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah to the leaders and people of Judah and Jerusalem. This verse is part of a dramatic prophetic act where Jeremiah is commanded to take a potter's vessel to the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) and proclaim God's impending judgment before breaking the flask, symbolizing Jerusalem's destruction.

Context

This verse is set during the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by profound spiritual decline, idolatry, and moral corruption, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. The prophecy in chapter 19 specifically targets the persistent sin of child sacrifice and the worship of pagan gods in the Valley of Hinnom, a place that became synonymous with abomination and later, judgment (also known as Gehenna). Jeremiah is commanded to address the "kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem," indicating that this message is for all levels of society, from the highest authority to the common citizen. The declaration that God "will bring evil upon this place" directly challenges their false security and reliance on ritual without genuine repentance, a theme also powerfully articulated in Jeremiah's temple sermon in chapter 7.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" underscores God's absolute authority and power. He is not merely observing but actively bringing about judgment as a consequence of their unfaithfulness. This is a clear declaration of His justice and holiness.
  • Unheeded Warnings: Jeremiah's entire ministry was characterized by persistent warnings that were largely ignored by the people and their leaders. This verse serves as another, particularly severe, instance of God's final call to attention before the inevitable calamity.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The "evil" God will bring is not moral wickedness but devastating calamity and disaster, a direct result of Judah's rebellion against the covenant. This aligns with the warnings of curses for disobedience found in passages like Deuteronomy 28:15.
  • Profound Shock and Horror: The phrase "the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle" powerfully conveys the magnitude and severity of the coming disaster. It implies a shock so profound that it will cause a physical reaction, a chilling horror at the sheer scale of the devastation. This imagery is also used in 1 Samuel 3:11 concerning God's judgment on Eli's house.

Linguistic Insights

  • "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: YHWH Sabaoth): This powerful title emphasizes God's omnipotence and His command over celestial armies, implying His ability to execute His will and judgment with irresistible force. It highlights His role as the sovereign warrior God.
  • "evil" (Hebrew: ra'ah): In this context, ra'ah does not refer to moral evil but rather to calamity, disaster, distress, or misfortune. It signifies the devastating consequences of their actions, a judgment that will bring widespread suffering and destruction upon Jerusalem.
  • "his ears shall tingle": This vivid idiom describes an overwhelming sensation of shock, dread, and horror. It suggests that the news of the impending judgment will be so appalling and unprecedented that it will resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression of terror and astonishment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 19:3 serves as a timeless reminder of God's justice and the serious consequences of persistent sin and rebellion. It underscores that God does not take pleasure in judgment but issues clear warnings, desiring repentance. For us today, it highlights the importance of:

  1. Heeding Divine Warnings: We must take seriously God's revealed will and warnings in Scripture, recognizing that disobedience carries consequences.
  2. Avoiding Spiritual Complacency: Like ancient Judah, we can become complacent in our faith, relying on outward forms of religion while our hearts are far from God. This verse calls for genuine introspection and repentance.
  3. Understanding God's Character: It reveals God as both loving and just, slow to anger but resolute in upholding His righteousness. His warnings are a testament to His patience before judgment.

The severity of this message, delivered through the symbolism of the potter and the clay in the preceding chapter, emphasizes that God has the absolute right and power to shape or break a nation according to its response to His word.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 3:11 (6 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

  • Jeremiah 17:20 (5 votes)

    And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

  • Isaiah 28:19 (3 votes)

    From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only [to] understand the report.

  • Jeremiah 6:19 (3 votes)

    Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

  • 2 Kings 21:12 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I [am] bringing [such] evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

  • 2 Kings 21:13 (3 votes)

    And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as [a man] wipeth a dish, wiping [it], and turning [it] upside down.

  • Psalms 110:5 (2 votes)

    ¶ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.