Jeremiah 7 23

Jeremiah 7:23 kjv

But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

Jeremiah 7:23 nkjv

But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'

Jeremiah 7:23 niv

but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.

Jeremiah 7:23 esv

But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.'

Jeremiah 7:23 nlt

This is what I told them: 'Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!'

Jeremiah 7 verses

Jeremiah 7 23 Meaning

Jeremiah 7:23 distills God's fundamental requirement for ancient Israel: not ritual sacrifice, but a relationship founded on active obedience to His voice and commands. It reiterates the core covenant promise given at Sinai, establishing that God's desire was for Israel to listen to and follow His every instruction, thereby fulfilling their role as His people and experiencing His blessings and well-being. The verse directly contrasts this spiritual priority with the people's misguided focus on outward, performative religious acts, highlighting that true faithfulness lies in lived-out submission to divine direction.

Jeremiah 7 23 Context

Jeremiah 7:23 is central to the "Temple Sermon" (Jer 7:1-15), a prophetic message delivered by Jeremiah at the gate of the Jerusalem Temple during the reign of King Jehoiakim (late 7th century BCE). The people of Judah were operating under a false sense of security, believing the Temple's presence guaranteed God's protection, even while they engaged in idolatry, injustice, and moral decay (Jer 7:5-11). They presumed that performing cultic rituals and sacrifices was sufficient, despite their deeply corrupted hearts and actions. In this sermon, God confronts their hypocrisy, declaring that the Temple, if not accompanied by true righteousness, would not save them from imminent judgment, just as Shiloh had fallen (Jer 7:12-14).

Verse 22 explicitly states that God "did not speak to your fathers, or command them...concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices" when He brought them out of Egypt. Verse 23 then clarifies what God did command at the Exodus/Sinai moment: obedience to His voice, establishing the core relationship where He would be their God and they His people, and walking in all His commanded ways for their well-being. Thus, Jeremiah re-establishes the fundamental spiritual priority, debunking their reliance on external religion over inward, holistic devotion and obedience that defined the covenant from its very inception. This forms a direct polemic against the contemporary religious practices that divorced ritual from righteousness.

Jeremiah 7 23 Word analysis

• But this command (כִּ֛י אִֽם־אֶת־הַדָּבָר֩ הַזֶּ֨ה - ki im et-ha-davar ha-zeh):
  • ki im (כי אם): An emphatic construction often meaning "but rather," "only," or "nevertheless." Here, it creates a sharp contrast with the preceding statement in v. 22 (what God did not command), powerfully re-directing focus to what was truly essential.
  • davar (דָּבָר): More than just a "word," it encompasses a "matter," "thing," "message," or "command." It implies direct divine communication and instruction. This points to the authoritative nature of God's revealed will.
• I gave them (צִוֵּ֧יתִי אֹותָ֣ם - tziv-ei-ti o-tam):
  • tzavah (צוה): The root for "to command," "appoint," or "ordain." It underscores the formal, legislative act of God at Sinai, not a casual suggestion. It highlights God's authority and Israel's obligation.
• saying (לֵאמֹ֗ר - le-mor): Standard introductory particle for quoting direct speech, emphasizing the precise nature of the command given.
• Obey My voice (שִׁמְע֤וּ בְקֹולִי֙ - shim'u v'koli):
  • shama (שָׁמַע): To hear, listen, or understand, but critically, it always includes the sense of "obey." It's not passive hearing but active, attentive, and responsive compliance. It points to a relational dynamic where Israel responds to God's authority.
  • kol (קֹול): Voice, sound. This refers to God's direct revelation and instruction, such as through Moses and the giving of the Law.
• and I will be your God (וְהָיִ֙יתִי לָכֶ֤ם לֵֽאלֹהִים֙ - v'hayiti lakhem le-lohim): The divine side of the covenant formula. God commits to fulfilling His role as their exclusive deity, providing, protecting, and ruling them. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) denotes God as the supreme, sovereign, and unique Creator.
• and you shall be My people (וְאַתֶּ֣ם תִּֽהְיוּ־לִי֙ לְעָ֔ם - v'attem tihyu li l'am): The human side of the covenant formula. Israel's identity is intrinsically linked to God's possession of them; they are distinctively "His." Am (עָם) means people or nation, denoting their special, chosen status.
• and walk (וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֣ם - va-halakhtem):
  • halakh (הָלַךְ): To walk; a common biblical metaphor for one's manner of life, conduct, or moral behavior. It signifies active, continuous engagement and lived-out ethical choices.
• in all the way that I command you (בְּכָל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲצַוֶּה֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם - b'khol ha-derekh asher atzaveh etkhem):
  • b'khol (בְּכָל): "In all" or "in every," emphasizing the comprehensive and holistic nature of the expected obedience. It's not selective but pervasive.
  • derekh (דֶּרֶךְ): Way, path, or manner. It denotes the lifestyle and moral journey defined and prescribed by God.
  • atzaveh (אֲצַוֶּה): Again, the root tzavah "to command," highlighting God's continuous authority in guiding their path.
• that it may be well with you (לְמַ֖עַן יִיטַ֥ב לָכֶֽם׃ - le-ma'an yitav lakhem):
  • le-ma'an (לְמַעַן): "In order that," "so that," indicating purpose or consequence. God's commands are not arbitrary but purposeful.
  • yatav (יטב): To be good, well, pleasing, or beneficial. It signifies prosperity, flourishing, peace, and ultimate welfare in all aspects of life – physical, spiritual, and social. God's ultimate desire for His people is their shalom.

Words-group analysis:

• "But this command I gave them, saying": This powerful introductory phrase fundamentally corrects the nation's distorted understanding of God's original intention. It directly contrasts their contemporary emphasis on ritual sacrifice (v. 22) with the foundational demand for direct, active adherence to divine instruction from the beginning.
• "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people": This tripartite declaration is the essence of the covenant. It outlines the foundational dynamic: obedient listening (active responsiveness) as the prerequisite for God establishing and maintaining His unique, intimate relationship with them. This relational bond is the heart of the covenant identity.
• "and walk in all the way that I command you": This clarifies the form of obedience. It's not passive acknowledgment, but a holistic, active, and continuous lifestyle of adhering to all of God's directives. "Walking in the way" describes their daily conduct, moral choices, and the practical application of their faith.
• "that it may be well with you": This states the benevolent purpose behind divine commands. God's instructions are not burdensome rules but a loving guide designed for their ultimate welfare, prosperity, and peace. Obedience is linked directly to receiving God's blessings and experiencing true flourishing.

Jeremiah 7 23 Bonus section

The profound emphasis on "obey My voice" over "burnt offerings and sacrifices" (v. 22) demonstrates a consistent prophetic theme throughout the Old Testament. This is not a rejection of the sacrificial system per se (as God had commanded it in the Torah), but a polemic against its misuse and misinterpretation. Sacrifices were means to atonement and worship, but they were never ends in themselves, nor were they a substitute for moral living and genuine covenant faithfulness. When performed without a heart of obedience and justice, they became detestable to God. This truth finds echoes in figures like Samuel rebuking Saul (1 Sam 15:22) and the prophet Hosea declaring God's desire for "mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hos 6:6). This foundational principle is carried into the New Testament where Christ fulfills the law, not abolishes it, emphasizing an internal transformation and a New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) where God's law is written on the heart, empowering true, Spirit-led obedience.

Jeremiah 7 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 7:23 stands as a monumental statement on the true nature of God's covenant with Israel, a core theological truth often overlooked or corrupted. God unequivocally declares that His initial and primary demand at Sinai was not for a system of sacrifices, but for unconditional, living obedience to His revealed word. The elaborate cultic system, though commanded later, was secondary and always presupposed the foundational relational commitment expressed in "Obey My voice."

The passage emphasizes a comprehensive ( "all the way") and relational ("My voice," "My God," "My people") obedience, not just outward conformity. This relationship leads to tangible blessing and well-being ("that it may be well with you"), highlighting God's gracious and redemptive purpose behind His commands. For Jeremiah's audience, steeped in formal religious practices without genuine piety, this was a stark exposure of their self-deception, urging them back to the basics of their covenant with the living God. It remains a timeless reminder that true worship and faithfulness manifest not primarily in religious rites, but in listening to and actively living out God's commands in all aspects of life.

• Example for Practical Usage: In modern terms, it's like a parent saying, "I want you to listen to me and respect my rules because you're my child and I want the best for you," rather than focusing on a child's weekly chore completed begrudgingly without affection or true understanding of their family role. God prioritizes relationship and submission over ritual performance devoid of heart.