Jeremiah 17 23

Jeremiah 17:23 kjv

But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

Jeremiah 17:23 nkjv

But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.

Jeremiah 17:23 niv

Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline.

Jeremiah 17:23 esv

Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.

Jeremiah 17:23 nlt

but they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline.

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 23 Meaning

The Israelites were instructed to keep the Sabbath day holy. On this day, they were not to do any work, nor were their servants, male or female, nor their animals. They were to rest and remember their deliverance from Egypt.

Jeremiah 17 23 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 continues God's indictment against Judah for their persistent sin, particularly their idolatry and reliance on human strength. The people of Judah had turned away from the LORD and were breaking His covenant, especially evident in their disregard for the Sabbath. This verse directly follows Jeremiah's prophetic warnings about the imminent judgment of Babylon upon Judah. The context emphasizes the people's refusal to listen to God's commands and their preference for man-made traditions and obedience to false gods. The plea for them to enter through the gates and observe the Sabbath highlights a last chance for repentance before complete destruction.

Jeremiah 17 23 Word Analysis

• “Then” (Hebrew: wə‘āz (וְעַתָּה)): A conjunctive particle, signifying "and now," "then," or "therefore," introducing a consequence or a subsequent action. It indicates a transition and a call to action or a change in circumstances.
• “enter” (Hebrew: bō’u (בֹּאוּ)): Imperative plural form of the verb bô' (בּוֹא), meaning "to come in," "to enter." It's a command directed to the people of Judah.
• “ye” (Hebrew: ătem (אַתֶּם)): The second person plural pronoun, referring to the people of Judah.
• “ye gates” (Hebrew: šĕ‘āreyhā (שְׁעָרֶיהָ)): This likely refers to the gates of Jerusalem, the city. The pronoun suffix '-hā' (הָ) usually refers to a feminine noun. While "city" (i.e., ‘îr) is feminine, it’s often implied, or possibly refers to Zion (Ps 87:2) which is feminine. The command to enter implies entering the city to observe the commandment within its bounds.
• “of Jerusalem” (Hebrew: yĕrûšālayim (יְר֣וּשָׁלָ֔יִם)): The name of the royal and religious capital of Judah.
• “and enter” (Hebrew: wəḥāḏəqû (וְחָDִקוּ)): Conjunctive "and" plus the Qal imperative plural of ḥāḏaq (חָDַק). This verb is often translated as "to cut," "to engrave," or "to mark," but in this context, with gates, it suggests a deeper act of entry or compliance. Some scholars suggest a possible emendation to yāšĕbû (יָשְׁבוּ), meaning "sit" or "dwell," implying a settled obedience. However, the Masoretic text implies a thorough or penetrating entry. It could signify not just entering, but fully submitting to the requirements within.
• “ye the King” (Hebrew: měleḵ (מֶלֶךְ)): referring to the earthly king of Judah. The structure here is a bit ambiguous in translation. If wəḥāḏəqû means "mark" or "set," it could refer to "marking" or "setting" the king for the throne, i.e., acknowledging his rule within the sacred context of God's law, including the Sabbath. However, the most prevalent interpretation is that the sentence is a compound statement related to the gates.
• “of David” (Hebrew: lĕḏāwîḏ (לְדָוִד)): Referring to King David, symbolizing the Davidic dynasty and the rightful kingship.
• “ye gates” (Hebrew: šĕ‘āreyhā (שְׁעָרֶיהָ)): Again referring to the gates of Jerusalem.
• “of David” (Hebrew: lĕḏāwîḏ (לְדָוִד)): Reiterates the association of the city and its kingship with the lineage of David.
• “and enter” (Hebrew: wə’ĕlaū (וְאָ֔לָוּ)): The conjunction "and" followed by the Qal imperative plural of the verb ’ālâ (אָלָה), meaning "to swear," "to bind by an oath." This verb typically involves invoking God as a witness. However, its use here, related to entering gates and the king, is challenging. Some texts read ‘ĕlaū (אָלוּ) which is the imperative of ’ûl (אוּל), meaning to "show strength" or "be strong." This could imply strength in obeying the king and God's laws within the city. A common textual variant suggests ‘õlaû (עֹלוּ) from ‘ālah (עָלָה), meaning "go up" or "ascend," possibly referring to ascending to the temple or higher authority within the city, or in the context of entering Jerusalem’s higher areas. Another reading suggests ’ēlá (אֶלָּה) from ’alâh (אָלָה), meaning "an oath" or "curse." Given the context of disobedience, this could be a warning of an oath that would bring curses.
• “ye gates” (Hebrew: šĕ‘āreyhā (שְׁעָרֶיהָ)): Repetition of "gates."
• “of David” (Hebrew: lĕḏāwîḏ (לְדָוִד)): Again connecting to the Davidic line and authority.
• “and the people” (Hebrew: wəhā‘ām (וְהָעָ֔ם)): Referring to the populace of Judah.
• “of” (Hebrew: lĕ (ל)): Preposition indicating belonging or relation.
• “the King” (Hebrew: hämmeleḵ (הַמֶּלֶךְ)): Referring to the king.
• “and his” (Hebrew: wə (וּ)): Conjunction "and."
• “principles” (Hebrew: mišpāṭîw (מִשְׁפָּטָיו)): Plural of mîšpāṭ (מִשְׁפָּט). This word can mean "judgment," "justice," "ordinance," or "custom." In relation to the king and his people entering the gates, it signifies observing God's righteous decrees and judicial practices, which include the Sabbath. The context suggests a communal adherence to justice and divine law.

Word-group analysis: The repetition of "enter ye gates of David" and the mention of "king" and "people" underscores the centrality of Jerusalem, the Davidic dynasty, and righteous governance (represented by mišpāṭîw). The ambiguity of the verbs (ḥāḏəqû, ‘ālû) combined with the prohibition of work on the Sabbath strongly suggests a call to communal obedience and respect for God’s appointed rest within the very fabric of the nation's life, including its leadership and capital city. It’s a holistic call to covenant faithfulness.

Jeremiah 17 23 Bonus Section

The emphasis on the Sabbath in Jeremiah's prophecy, particularly in this context, highlights its crucial role as a sign of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The desecration of the Sabbath was viewed as a direct rejection of God's sovereignty and His act of redemption. Jesus later affirmed that the Sabbath was made for humanity and that He, as the Son of Man, had authority over it (Mark 2:27-28), pointing to a fulfillment of its true meaning in Himself. The "Sabbath rest" that believers enter is through Christ's finished work, as Hebrews 4:9-10 elaborates, allowing for a spiritual rest from striving for salvation, while still honoring the principles of holiness and worship commanded by God. The persistent disregard for the Sabbath by Judah ultimately contributed to their downfall, serving as a somber warning about the consequences of spiritual negligence.

Jeremiah 17 23 Commentary

This verse presents a final, desperate appeal from God through Jeremiah. After detailing the dire consequences of Judah's apostasy and disobedience, especially their desecration of the Sabbath, God offers one last opportunity for repentance. The call to "enter ye the gates of Jerusalem" and to uphold "the king" and "his principles" is intrinsically linked to keeping the Sabbath holy. This signifies a restoration of proper order and submission to divine authority. Observing the Sabbath was not merely an act of rest, but a covenantal sign of allegiance to the LORD who redeemed them from slavery.

The specific verbs and phrases have caused interpretive challenges, but the overarching theme is clear: a plea for holistic adherence to God's covenant. "Enter ye the gates of David" points to the sanctity of the Davidic lineage and the city established by God's promise to David. "The king and his principles" implies adherence to righteous governance rooted in God's law, which fundamentally included the Sabbath commandment.

The spiritual significance is profound: it's about reintegrating oneself into God's covenant community by observing the sacred rhythm of His appointed rest, thereby acknowledging Him as Sovereign King and Lawgiver. It’s a call to re-enter a state of right relationship with God, which is made possible through obedience to His word.