Jeremiah 7 24

Jeremiah 7:24 kjv

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:24 nkjv

Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:24 niv

But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:24 esv

But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:24 nlt

"But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.

Jeremiah 7 verses

Jeremiah 7 24 Meaning

Jeremiah 7:24 conveys God's deep disappointment with the Israelites. Despite being delivered from Egypt, they turned away from Him and refused to listen to His prophets. Their persistent disobedience, characterized by hardened hearts and a stubborn will, led to their spiritual downfall and estrangement from God.

Jeremiah 7 24 Context

Jeremiah 7 is situated within the broader prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, who was called by God to warn the Southern Kingdom of Judah of impending destruction due to their pervasive sin and idolatry. This chapter, often referred to as the "Temple Sermon," takes place in or near the Temple in Jerusalem. God, through Jeremiah, addresses the people who are confidently relying on their outward religious observances and their presence at the Temple as a guarantee of safety, believing it made them immune to the consequences faced by the Northern Kingdom. Jeremiah counters this false security by detailing their profound disobedience, lack of justice, and continued idolatry. Verse 24 is part of God's summation of their historical failure to heed His commands and His messengers.

Jeremiah 7 24 Word Analysis

• But (וְאַךְ - wəʾaḵ): This is a conjunctive particle, signaling a contrast or an exception to what might be expected. It introduces the primary problem, setting it against the backdrop of God's past actions.
• they listened not (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ - lōʾ šāməʿû): "lo'" means "not." "Shama" (שָׁמְעוּ) is the third-person masculine plural imperfect form of the verb "to hear." Here it implies more than just auditory perception; it signifies obedience, heeding, and responding. The perfect tense aspect implies a completed action of not listening, a persistent refusal throughout their history.
• nor inclined (וְלֹא הָטוּ - wəlōʾ hāṭû): "Vəlo'" again means "and not." "Hāṭû" is the third-person masculine plural perfect form of the verb "hata" (הָטָה), meaning "to lean," "to incline," or "to bend." This word emphasizes a lack of desire or willingness to pay attention. Their ears heard, but their hearts and minds were not directed towards God's word.
• their ear (אָזְנָם - ʾoznām): "Ozen" (אָזֶן) means "ear." The suffix "-am" denotes "their." This refers to their capacity to hear.
• and they did not incline (וְלֹא הָטוּ - wəlōʾ hāṭû): Repetition of the verb for emphasis, reinforcing the theme of willful refusal to give heed. This reinforces the idea of active rejection rather than passive ignorance.

Word-Group Analysis

• "they listened not to my voice, nor inclined their ear, and they did not incline": This repetitive phrase underscores a deep-seated rebellion. It's not a one-time failure but a consistent pattern of deaf ears and stubborn hearts. The inability or unwillingness to "hear" God's voice implies a rejection of His authority and guidance, a fundamental brokenness in their relationship with Him.

Jeremiah 7 24 Bonus Section

This verse encapsulates the core reason for God's impending judgment on Judah. The pattern of disobedience established here resonates throughout Scripture, serving as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual apathy and the critical importance of heeding God's Word. The concept of an "inclined ear" can be seen as a metaphor for an obedient heart. Jesus later echoes this sentiment in the New Testament, rebuking those who had ears but did not hear, or who let the word of God be nullified by their traditions. The historical failure of Israel to listen to prophets serves as a backdrop for the ultimate rejection of God's Son, Jesus Christ, whom the prophets heralded.

Jeremiah 7 24 Commentary

The verse starkly illustrates the theme of persistent disobedience that characterized Israel's history. God had delivered them, sustained them, and consistently sent them prophets to guide them back to faithfulness. Yet, they repeatedly chose a different path. This refusal to "hear" and "incline their ear" signifies a willful turning away from divine instruction and a rejection of God's will. It speaks to a fundamental human tendency to resist God’s claims when they conflict with our desires or habits. The repeated failure to heed divine commands had profound spiritual and national consequences, ultimately leading to judgment. It highlights that genuine worship must be accompanied by obedience, and mere proximity to sacred things (like the Temple) is no substitute for a transformed heart that actively listens to God.