Jeremiah 11 5

Jeremiah 11:5 kjv

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

Jeremiah 11:5 nkjv

that I may establish the oath which I have sworn to your fathers, to give them 'a land flowing with milk and honey,' as it is this day." ' " And I answered and said, "So be it, LORD."

Jeremiah 11:5 niv

Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey'?the land you possess today." I answered, "Amen, LORD."

Jeremiah 11:5 esv

that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day." Then I answered, "So be it, LORD."

Jeremiah 11:5 nlt

I said this so I could keep my promise to your ancestors to give you a land flowing with milk and honey ? the land you live in today.'" Then I replied, "Amen, LORD! May it be so."

Jeremiah 11 verses

Jeremiah 11 5 Meaning

Jeremiah 11:5 articulates God's command through Jeremiah, declaring a curse upon any individual who fails to obey the stipulations of the covenant established between Him and the people of Israel. It emphasizes the critical importance of hearing, which implies not merely listening, but actively heeding and obeying the covenantal requirements. This statement recalls the foundational principles of the Mosaic Covenant, highlighting the serious consequences of disobedience.

Jeremiah 11 5 Context

Jeremiah 11:5 is part of what scholars call the "Book of the Covenant" section within Jeremiah (Jeremiah 11:1-17). The verses preceding it (Jer 11:1-4) detail God's command to Jeremiah to proclaim the words of a covenant to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, explicitly mentioning the covenant made with their ancestors when they were brought out of Egypt. This immediately connects the message to the Mosaic Covenant, given at Sinai, which established Israel as God's chosen people with specific responsibilities and promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The historical setting is likely during King Josiah's reign, when the Book of the Law was rediscovered (2 Ki 22-23), prompting a covenant renewal movement. However, despite the external reforms, the hearts of the people remained unfaithful, leading God to send Jeremiah to reiterate the serious nature of their transgression and the impending judgment due to their repeated failure to "hear" and "do" the covenant stipulations. The overall literary context is God's prophetic "lawsuit" (Hebrew rib) against Israel for their persistent idolatry and injustice, demonstrating their breach of the covenant.

Jeremiah 11 5 Word analysis

• And I answered (וָאַעֲנֶה֙, va'a'aneh): A conjunction with the verb "to answer." Here, it marks God's direct response to Jeremiah's "Hear" in verse 2, confirming that Jeremiah is faithfully conveying the divine message. It signifies a transition to a direct divine decree.
• and said to them (וָאֹמַר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם, va'omar aleihem): "Said" (amar) indicates spoken word, emphasizing direct communication. "To them" (aleihim) refers collectively to the people of Judah and Jerusalem mentioned in Jeremiah 11:2.
• Thus says (כֹּה אָמַר, koh amar): A standard, authoritative prophetic formula. It leaves no doubt that the words are not Jeremiah's but emanate directly from God, investing the message with ultimate authority and obligation.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal, revealed, and unchanging character, particularly in His relationship with Israel. It emphasizes the God who actively interacts with His creation and keeps His promises and warnings.
• God of Israel (אֱלֹהֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל, Elohei Yisrael): Specifies the unique relationship between YHWH and the nation of Israel, established through covenant. It highlights His identity as the sovereign deity specifically bound to and presiding over His chosen people.
• Cursed be (אָר֤וּר, arur): This is a powerful, solemn declaration, originating from the legal pronouncements of the Mosaic Covenant (e.g., Deut 27). It denotes a state of exclusion from God's favor, subjected to severe judgment and misfortune due to violation. It implies a divine pronouncement of doom or removal of blessing.
• the man (הָאִ֗ישׁ, ha'ish): "Man" (ish) can refer to an individual, but in this context, it often has a collective sense, representing any or all who embody the characteristic described, effectively meaning "anyone" within the covenant community.
• who does not hear (אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא יִשְׁמַע֙, asher lo yishma): "Hear" (shama) is profound in biblical thought. It transcends mere auditory perception; it encompasses listening attentively, understanding, obeying, and acting upon the word. To "not hear" signifies active disregard, rejection, and willful disobedience to divine instruction.
• the words (דִּבְרֵ֖י, divrei): Refers to specific spoken pronouncements, commandments, and laws. It emphasizes the content and stipulations of the covenant.
• of this covenant (הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּֽאת, habberit hazzot): "Covenant" (b'rit) denotes a solemn, binding agreement or treaty between two parties, often initiated by the stronger party (God) with specified terms, obligations, and consequences for adherence or violation. "This covenant" refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24), recently reiterated during Josiah's reform, which Israel consistently violated.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I answered and said to them, 'Thus says the LORD, God of Israel'": This phrase serves as an emphatic divine introduction, validating the prophet's message as God's own direct, authoritative address to the people. It sets the stage for a decree that originates from the highest divine court.
• "'Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant'": This is a direct invocation of covenant curses for any and all disobedience to the terms of the Mosaic Covenant. The core offense is the failure to "hear" – signifying active refusal to internalize and obey the covenant's mandates, leading to the grave consequence of being "cursed." It underscores God's seriousness about covenant faithfulness and the legal framework that defines their relationship.

Jeremiah 11 5 Bonus section

The "Book of the Covenant" referenced here is the specific collection of laws given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai (e.g., Ex 20-24), which laid out the stipulations for their relationship. This ancient text was effectively re-presented to Judah in Jeremiah's day, often through a prophetic "rib" (covenant lawsuit) format where God, through His prophet, formally charges Israel with a breach of contract. This highlights that God's judgment is not arbitrary but is rooted in a just, pre-established legal framework agreed upon by both parties. While Jeremiah addresses Israel's physical disobedience and idolatry, the New Testament draws upon this theme to emphasize spiritual hearing and obedience, culminating in the perfect fulfillment of the covenant requirements through Christ for those who believe. The verse implicitly critiques superficial outward observances when the heart remains disobedient, a recurring theme in prophetic literature.

Jeremiah 11 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 11:5 succinctly encapsulates the core of God's case against Judah: their covenant infidelity. The declaration "Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant" is not merely a threat; it's a re-statement of the inherent legal consequences woven into the very fabric of the Mosaic Covenant (Deut 27-28). The phrase "does not hear" is pivotal, conveying a deeper spiritual failing than just missing an auditory message. It implies a wilful rejection of God's authority, a refusal to heed His commands, and a persistent unwillingness to act according to the terms of their agreement with Him. This verse underscores that the blessings and identity of Israel as God's chosen people were always contingent upon their faithful obedience to His revealed word. By highlighting the curse, God through Jeremiah, serves as a divine prosecutor reminding a wayward nation of their broken promises and the impending judgment. It serves as a stark warning, showing God's unyielding expectation of fidelity and the grave implications of covenantal rebellion, foreshadowing the need for a "new covenant" (Jer 31) where the law would be written on hearts, leading to genuine obedience.