Jeremiah 11 3

Jeremiah 11:3 kjv

And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

Jeremiah 11:3 nkjv

and say to them, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant

Jeremiah 11:3 niv

Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant?

Jeremiah 11:3 esv

You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant

Jeremiah 11:3 nlt

Say to them, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant!

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 3 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:3 declares a divine curse upon any individual who fails to heed and follow the terms of the covenant established by the Lord, the God of Israel. It serves as a stark reminder of the foundational agreement between God and His people, underscoring the serious consequences of disobedience. The verse asserts God's unwavering authority and the absolute requirement for His people to uphold their side of the covenantal relationship.

Jeremiah 11 3 Context

Jeremiah 11 is a pivotal chapter within Jeremiah's ministry, delivered during a time of widespread spiritual apostasy in Judah. It marks a renewal of God's covenant with His people through Jeremiah, yet it is framed as a re-proclamation of the old Mosaic covenant, specifically highlighting the conditions of obedience. King Josiah had initiated reforms based on the discovery of the "Book of the Law" (likely Deuteronomy), which profoundly affected Jeremiah's prophetic message. The chapter reveals that despite the external reforms, the hearts of the people remained unchanged, leading to widespread breaking of the covenant, including idolatry and social injustice. This verse serves as a direct, blunt reminder of the very covenant that Judah was failing to uphold, recalling the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy, which served as the foundational constitution of Israel's relationship with God. The people had moved far from these "words of this covenant," making the declaration of "cursed be the man" a powerful indictment and a precursor to the inevitable judgment.

Jeremiah 11 3 Word analysis

• Thus says: Hebrew: כֹּה אָמַר (koh amar). A standard prophetic formula, often introducing a direct message from God. It confers absolute divine authority and certitude, emphasizing that the words are not Jeremiah's own but a direct utterance from the Creator of the universe.

• the LORD: Hebrew: יְהוָה (Yahweh). The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His intimate, yet sovereign, relationship with Israel. Its usage underscores that the curse comes from their specific, chosen God, to whom they made promises.

• the God of Israel: Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Elohei Yisra'el). Reinforces Yahweh's unique identity as the patron deity and covenant-maker of Israel. This designation served as a polemic against the numerous local and foreign deities, like Baal or Asherah, who were not "the God of Israel" and whose promises and threats were illegitimate.

• Cursed be: Hebrew: אָרוּר (arur). A strong, theological declaration of being under divine disfavor, cut off from blessing, and destined for judgment or misfortune. It's the polar opposite of בָּרוּךְ (barukh - blessed) and signifies being placed under a severe, comprehensive judgment. The curse is not merely bad luck but an active turning of God's favor into disfavor.

• the man: Hebrew: אִישׁ (ish). While often translated as 'man,' in this context, it often serves as a collective noun for "whoever" or "any person," encompassing all individuals in the community, regardless of gender. It underscores the personal accountability each individual has within the covenant.

• who does not obey: Hebrew: לֹא יִשְׁמַע (lo yishma'). Emphasizes active non-compliance, not merely passive hearing. The root שָׁמַע (shama') in Hebrew means both 'to hear' and 'to obey.' Therefore, "does not obey" means not truly hearing in the sense of actively heeding and doing. It highlights a conscious rejection of God's directive.

• the words: Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי (divrei). Refers to the specific commandments, statutes, and decrees. Not general principles but the articulated, written details of the law, suggesting intentional disregard rather than accidental oversight.

• of this covenant: Hebrew: הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת (ha'brit hazot). This phrase clearly points to the Mosaic covenant, established at Sinai and elaborated in Deuteronomy, not a new or general covenant. It reminds the people of their ancestral foundational agreement with God, which they had repeatedly sworn to uphold.

• "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel": This opening formula powerfully establishes the speaker's identity and authority. It is not a mere human opinion or observation but an unambiguous declaration from the supreme, covenant-making God of Israel. It serves as a stark reminder of who holds ultimate power and legitimacy.

• "Cursed be the man who does not obey the words of this covenant": This central pronouncement embodies the core principle of retributive justice embedded in the Mosaic covenant. The curse is a direct, reciprocal consequence of rejecting the terms of God's revealed will. It contrasts sharply with the blessings promised for obedience (Deut 28:1-14) and signals that Israel has crossed a line, inviting divine judgment rather than favor.

Jeremiah 11 3 Bonus section

The Hebrew word "arur" (cursed) carries a deeper connotation than merely experiencing misfortune. It signifies separation from divine blessing and protection, a state of alienation. It is a reversal of creation's intended order and God's design for human flourishing under His favor. This verse not only highlights a broken promise but also a breach in relationship, where the very source of life and blessing turns His face away. The specific mention of "the words" emphasizes the concrete, understandable nature of God's requirements, countering any claim of ignorance. The reiteration of the Mosaic covenant by Jeremiah served as a "legal proceeding," where God was essentially putting Israel on trial for violating their binding agreement, foreshadowing the inevitable divine judgment. This pre-Christian understanding of curse provided the crucial backdrop for the New Testament's proclamation that Christ became a curse for us (Gal 3:13), effectively absorbing the penalty declared in such verses for those who believe, thereby reconciling them to the God who is both just and merciful.

Jeremiah 11 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:3 is a blunt, uncompromising declaration that encapsulates the gravity of Israel's spiritual decline. By beginning with "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel," the verse immediately anchors its pronouncement in divine, unassailable authority, emphasizing the specific and unique relationship God has with Israel through the Mosaic covenant. The stark statement "Cursed be the man" leaves no room for ambiguity, clearly indicating severe consequences for disobedience. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern covenant format, where blessings for fidelity and curses for transgression were standard components, mirroring God's initial establishment of the law (e.g., Deut 28, Lev 26). The "words of this covenant" refers directly to the Torah, the foundational law given through Moses, which Jeremiah was commanded to re-proclaim. This was not a new teaching, but a reiteration of timeless truth that Israel had forgotten or actively ignored. The verse functions as a diagnostic and a warning; it diagnoses the people's rebellion as a covenant breach, and it warns them of the imminent, pre-ordained consequences. In a broader theological sense, it underscores God's righteousness and the immutability of His standards, showing that true relationship with Him is contingent on respectful submission to His will.

• Example: Just as a broken contract leads to legal penalties, so too does breaking God's covenant lead to spiritual penalties.
• Example: Neglecting clear instructions from a doctor can worsen an illness; similarly, ignoring God's covenant leads to spiritual ailment and judgment.