Jeremiah 11 2

Jeremiah 11:2 kjv

Hear ye the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 11:2 nkjv

"Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 11:2 niv

"Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 11:2 esv

"Hear the words of this covenant, and speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 11:2 nlt

"Remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem about the terms of my covenant with them.

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 2 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:2 serves as a divine commission to the prophet Jeremiah. God commands him to speak directly to the people of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem, reminding them of the Mosaic covenant and its terms. This call to "hear the words of this covenant" underscores the nation's spiritual negligence and deviation from their foundational agreement with God, implying a need for urgent recollection and renewed adherence.

Jeremiah 11 2 Context

Jeremiah 11:2 initiates a section where the LORD, through Jeremiah, re-emphasizes the Mosaic covenant. The broader context of Jeremiah chapters 11-12 reveals God's legal case (rib) against Judah for their consistent and profound apostasy, specifically covenant breaking. Despite King Josiah's significant reforms and covenant renewal movement (around 621 BCE, see 2 Kings 22-23), which sought to bring the nation back to the law, the people's heart was not genuinely transformed. Idolatry persisted, and the outward reforms were not met with inward change. Therefore, this verse implies that even after a national recommitment, the fundamental message of the covenant still needed to be preached because the people continued to deviate from its precepts. Jeremiah's mission here is not just to recall but to explicitly connect their impending judgment to their covenant violations.

Jeremiah 11 2 Word analysis

• Hear ye: שִׁמְעוּ (Shim'u) - Imperative plural verb, meaning "Listen!", "Pay attention!", "Obey!". This is a common biblical summons, especially when calling for national attention to a divine decree, much like the Shema (Deut 6:4). It implies not just an auditory act, but an attentive listening leading to understanding and subsequent obedience. It challenges the people's selective deafness.
• the words: דִּבְרֵי (divrei) - Hebrew for "words" or "matters." This noun specifically denotes spoken declarations, commands, or pronouncements, often carrying the weight of authority and revelation. It refers to the explicit stipulations, promises, and warnings contained within the covenant.
• of this covenant: הַבְּרִית (habberit) - The definite article "ha-" points to the specific, well-known covenant. This is the Sinaitic/Mosaic covenant (Exod 19-24; Deut), foundational to Israel's identity and relationship with YHWH. It encompasses God's election, the giving of the Law, and the blessings for obedience versus curses for disobedience. This phrase highlights the established legal agreement they willingly entered.
• and speak: וְדִבַּרְתָּ (vedibbarta) - Imperative singular verb, meaning "and you shall speak." This is God's direct command to Jeremiah. It establishes Jeremiah's role as God's designated messenger, tasked with orally delivering the covenant message without alteration. It emphasizes the prophetic mandate.
• unto the men of Judah: אֶל־אַנְשֵׁי יְהוּדָה (el-anshey Yehudah) - "to the men of Judah." This specifies the audience: the male populace of the southern kingdom, representing the broader community and rural areas outside the capital. It indicates a wide, national address.
• and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: וְאֶל־יֹשְׁבֵי יְרוּשָׁלַיִם (ve'el-yoshevey Yerushalayim) - "and to those dwelling in Jerusalem." This identifies the capital city's residents as a distinct and crucial part of the audience. Jerusalem, being the religious and political center, was often considered more accountable and perhaps more hardened in its sin, often displaying greater presumption due to the Temple's presence. The address is comprehensive.

Words-group analysis:

• "Hear ye the words of this covenant": This phrase constitutes a profound legal and theological appeal. It calls for the entire nation to revisit the foundational document of their relationship with God. The very act of "hearing" implies a re-engagement with their sacred history, the Law, and their identity as God's chosen people, urging them to internalize its mandates rather than merely acknowledging them. It suggests a neglect of this covenant on their part.
• "and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem": This command outlines the geographical and demographic scope of Jeremiah's prophetic task. God ensures that the message is intended for both the common folk across the land and the influential population within the capital. It underscores God's persistent attempt to reach all levels of society with His word before judgment. It shows no group is exempt from hearing the covenant message and its demands.

Jeremiah 11 2 Bonus section

• The structure of Jeremiah 11, beginning with this command to preach the covenant, directly parallels the ancient Near Eastern covenant/treaty formula, starting with a historical prologue (recounting God's saving acts, vv. 3-5), then the stipulations (Law, implicit in "words of this covenant"), blessings/curses, and witnesses. This places Israel's disobedience within a clear legal framework.
• The re-proclamation of "this covenant" implicitly refers to the specific form found in Deuteronomy, the book often linked to Josiah's reform (the "Book of the Law" discovered in 2 Kings 22-23). This would have fresh significance for the people of that era.
• Jeremiah himself, by delivering this covenant message, stands in a tradition of prophetic renewal, much like Moses delivered the original covenant. However, unlike Moses' hopeful delivery, Jeremiah's message is shrouded in impending judgment due to sustained transgression.

Jeremiah 11 2 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:2 introduces a solemn reminder of Israel's foundational covenant with God. The call for the people of Judah and Jerusalem to "hear the words of this covenant" highlights their widespread departure from its principles. This divine mandate to Jeremiah serves as a final, urgent appeal, echoing earlier calls for repentance found in Deuteronomy and prophetic tradition. God is essentially saying, "Remember your vows, remember your sacred agreement!" The very necessity of this command demonstrates the people's collective amnesia or deliberate rebellion concerning the Law given at Sinai. Their spiritual unfaithfulness is central, manifesting as idolatry and social injustice, despite Josiah's earlier reforms. The prophet is not merely relaying a message, but presenting God's "lawsuit" (rib) against His covenant partners, laying the groundwork for the inevitable judgment that will follow their persistent rejection. It exemplifies God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even as His people prove unfaithful to theirs.