Jeremiah 6 17

Jeremiah 6:17 kjv

Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

Jeremiah 6:17 nkjv

Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.'

Jeremiah 6:17 niv

I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, 'We will not listen.'

Jeremiah 6:17 esv

I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not pay attention.'

Jeremiah 6:17 nlt

I posted watchmen over you who said,
'Listen for the sound of the alarm.'
But you replied,
'No! We won't pay attention!'

Jeremiah 6 verses

Jeremiah 6 17 Meaning

Jeremiah 6:17 presents God's divine provision of warnings to His people, Judah, through appointed messengers or prophets ("watchmen"). He explicitly instructed these watchmen to announce the impending danger, symbolized by the "sound of the trumpet," calling the people to immediate attention and repentance. However, the verse tragically concludes with the people's defiant and categorical refusal to heed these warnings. It highlights God's persistent grace in giving warnings versus humanity's persistent disobedience.

Jeremiah 6 17 Context

Jeremiah 6 is a somber chapter where God details Jerusalem's impending destruction and the reasons for it. The chapter vividly describes the invasion of a northern enemy (Babylon) and the lament over the city's judgment. God explicitly points out the people's pervasive sin, from prophet to priest, none deal truthfully. There is social injustice, idolatry, and a stubborn refusal to repent, despite constant warnings. The call to "stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths" (Jer 6:16) immediately precedes verse 17, underscoring God's desperate plea for His people to return to faithfulness. Within this context, verse 17 shows God's consistent efforts to alert His people to the spiritual and physical dangers through His appointed prophets ("watchmen") and clear warnings ("trumpet sound"), juxtaposed with the people's hardened hearts and explicit rejection of these divine messages. The shofar (trumpet) here signifies a literal alarm of war and a metaphorical call to spiritual vigilance.

Jeremiah 6 17 Word analysis

• "Also I set" (וַהֲקִמֹתִי / va'ha'qimoti): The Hiphil perfect verb, meaning "I raised up," "I established," "I appointed." This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and deliberate act. He, Yahweh, is the one actively deploying these warnings, not merely passively observing. It points to His faithfulness and active involvement in guiding His people.
• "watchmen" (צֹפִים / tzofim): From the root צָפָה (tzapah), "to look out," "to keep watch," "to spy." In a biblical context, watchmen are divinely appointed individuals, typically prophets, tasked with observing spiritual and physical dangers and then proclaiming those warnings to the community (e.g., Ezek 3:17; 33:7). Their role is crucial for the safety and spiritual well-being of the people.
• "over you" (עֲלֵיכֶם / aleikhem): Refers to the people of Judah/Jerusalem. The warnings were directly intended for them.
• "saying" (לֵאמֹר / le'mor): A common Hebrew infinitive absolute, serving to introduce direct speech. It signals the exact message conveyed by God through the watchmen.
• "Hearken" (הַקְשִׁיבוּ / haqshivuh): A Hiphil imperative, meaning "Listen carefully," "Attend closely," "Pay close attention." It's more than just hearing; it implies an active engagement with the message, leading to understanding and obedience. This word often carries the weight of a call to covenant faithfulness.
• "to the sound" (לְקוֹל / leqol): "To the voice" or "to the sound of." Here, it specifically refers to the distinct audible warning.
• "of the trumpet" (שׁוֹפָר / shofar): The ram's horn, used in ancient Israel not only for religious festivals and to gather assemblies but prominently as an alarm signal for war, invasion, or disaster (e.g., Jer 4:5; 6:1; Joel 2:1). Its sound was meant to incite immediate action or preparation for battle. Symbolically, it signifies urgent, unmistakable divine warning of impending judgment or crisis.
• "but they said" (וַיֹּאמְרוּ / vayomeru): "And they said." The connective "but" introduces a stark contrast to God's command, revealing a deliberate choice.
• "We will not hearken" (לֹא נַקְשִׁיב / lo naqshiv): The emphatic negative particle "לֹא" (lo) combined with the imperfect Hiphil verb "we will listen carefully/attend." This is a resolute, definitive refusal to obey. It mirrors God's command to "Hearken" with a direct and defiant "We will not hearken." This is not an accidental oversight but an intentional act of rebellion and rejection of God's wisdom and saving grace.

• "I set watchmen over you, saying,": This phrase emphasizes God's proactive care and His systematic approach to warn His people. He did not leave them without knowledge of the coming danger, nor did He leave the communication to chance. The watchmen symbolize the prophetic office and the regular, consistent stream of divine revelation given to Israel.
• "Hearken to the sound of the trumpet": This grouping conveys the urgency and clarity of the message. The trumpet's blast is a direct, undeniable call to attention, universally understood as a sign of immediate threat. To "hearken" implies internalizing the message and responding accordingly, such as preparing for defense or repenting.
• "but they said, We will not hearken.": This concluding clause is pivotal. It encapsulates the spiritual state of Judah – willful rebellion. It's a tragic example of humanity rejecting divine truth and grace. The direct mirroring of God's command ("hearken") with their defiance ("we will not hearken") underscores their deliberate and obstinate disobedience, for which they would face the consequences.

Jeremiah 6 17 Bonus section

The concept of "watchmen" (צֹפִים) in Jeremiah finds its most direct parallels and fuller development in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet is explicitly commissioned as a watchman for Israel, with a clear delineation of his responsibilities and the dire consequences of failing to warn. Jeremiah 6:17 thus provides an earlier, succinct articulation of this crucial prophetic function. The phrase "We will not hearken" represents the ultimate human autonomy taken to a destructive extreme; it's a decision against life and prosperity despite clear, divine counsel. The shofar's sound, while indicating immediate physical threat, always carried with it a spiritual call in ancient Israel, reminding people of their covenant with God and the need for righteousness. Their rejection was not just a failure to heed a military warning, but a deep spiritual malaise manifesting as an unwillingness to engage with God's ongoing call to return.

Jeremiah 6 17 Commentary

Jeremiah 6:17 paints a poignant picture of God's steadfast love and humanity's stubborn refusal. God, in His protective nature, faithfully appoints "watchmen" – His prophets like Jeremiah himself – to warn His beloved people of impending destruction. The message, like a blaring "trumpet," was loud, clear, and urgent, signaling not only military invasion but a spiritual crisis demanding immediate repentance. Yet, Judah's response was a chilling "We will not hearken." This was not ignorance, but willful defiance against divine truth and a tragic rejection of God's grace. This verse captures the essence of Judah's spiritual malady that ultimately led to their captivity, illustrating the profound danger of hardening one's heart to God's persistent warnings, a pattern that echoes through biblical history.