Jeremiah 8:7 kjv
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.
Jeremiah 8:7 nkjv
"Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD.
Jeremiah 8:7 niv
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.
Jeremiah 8:7 esv
Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the LORD.
Jeremiah 8:7 nlt
Even the stork that flies across the sky
knows the time of her migration,
as do the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane.
They all return at the proper time each year.
But not my people!
They do not know the LORD's laws.
Jeremiah 8 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 8:7 | Stork... know its times; but my people do not know the judgments of the LORD. | Original Verse |
| Isaiah 1:3 | Ox... knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know... | Israel's persistent spiritual ignorance |
| Isaiah 5:12 | Harp and lyre... work of the LORD... do not regard it. | Israel's disregard for God's works and judgments |
| Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... | Lack of knowledge leads to destruction |
| Matthew 23:37-39 | O Jerusalem... How often I wanted to gather you... but you were unwilling. | Jesus laments Jerusalem's rejection of God's timing |
| Luke 19:41-44 | As he drew near the city, he wept over it, saying... know the time of your visitation. | Jesus mourns over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness |
| John 12:35-36 | Walk while you have the light... You are light in the Lord. | Exhortation to walk in light and understanding |
| Acts 17:30-31 | The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people to repent. | God's call to repentance in view of judgment |
| Romans 2:4 | Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? | Ignorance of God's kindness leads to hard hearts |
| Romans 10:1-3 | Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer... that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. | Zeal without true knowledge |
| 2 Corinthians 4:4 | ...the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers... | Spiritual blindness caused by the adversary |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:4 | But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. | Believers are to be aware of God's coming day |
| 1 Peter 4:7 | The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. | Urgency and self-control in light of the end |
| Revelation 18:7 | How much she glorified herself and lived sensuously, so much torment and pain give her. | Judgment on self-indulgent, ignorant nations |
| Deuteronomy 32:29 | O that they were wise, that they would understand this, that they would discern their future! | Moses' plea for Israel's discernment |
| Psalm 32:9 | Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle... | Analogy of obstinate, ununderstanding animals |
| Proverbs 29:18 | Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint... | Lack of divine guidance leads to lawlessness |
| Ecclesiastes 9:12 | For man also does not know his time. Like fish caught in a treacherous net... | General human ignorance of times and peril |
| Amos 5:18-20 | Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! ... It will be darkness, and not light. | Those seeking the day of the LORD without true understanding face judgment |
| John 1:5 | The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. | Light of Christ confronts spiritual darkness |
| Genesis 1:14 | And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs and for seasons..." | God established natural times and seasons |
| Psalm 104:20-22 | You make darkness, and it is night... The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. | God governs natural cycles and creatures |
| Jeremiah 10:23 | I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not his own; it is not for man who walks to direct his steps. | Human inability to direct one's own steps |
Jeremiah 8 verses
Jeremiah 8 7 Meaning
The verse declares that even the stork in the heavens knows its times for migration, and the turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their return, but God's people have not known the appointed time of the LORD's judgment. This highlights their spiritual blindness and ignorance concerning God's justice and the consequences of their sin.
Jeremiah 8 7 Context
Jeremiah 8:1-7 is part of a broader oracle of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. The preceding verses likely dealt with the impending invasion and the exposure of sin. Chapter 8 continues this theme, highlighting the inevitability of judgment due to persistent disobedience and spiritual blindness. The "times" referred to are not merely cyclical seasons, but appointed times of divine intervention, particularly judgment, which God’s people, despite possessing His law and covenant, fail to recognize. Historically, this was a time of significant political turmoil in the Near East, with Babylon rising as a dominant power, posing a direct threat to Judah.
Jeremiah 8 7 Word Analysis
Even (even the stork): Emphasizes the keen observation of migratory birds compared to human spiritual dullness.
stork: Hebrew: hasseh, meaning stork or "kindly one," often associated with building nests in high places, a creature known for its predictable migratory patterns.
heavens: Hebrew: shamayim. Refers to the sky or firmament, the domain where celestial bodies and migrating birds operate according to God's order.
knows: Hebrew: yada. Implies deep, experiential knowledge and understanding, not just intellectual awareness.
appointed times / times: Hebrew: moed (singular) / moedim (plural). A divinely set or appointed time, season, or festival. In this context, it signifies the opportune or destined moments for divine action, particularly judgment.
migration / return: Hebrew: g'vulah. Denotes the border, limit, or appointed time, specifically in relation to movement or seasonal arrival.
and the crane / swallow / turtle: Hebrew: v'cholet (swallow), v'koot (crane), v'tus (turtle dove). Specific birds known for their migratory instincts and seasonal predictability. These are examples of God's created order functioning with natural understanding.
observe the time of their return: Refers to the birds' instinctive knowledge of when to depart and when to come back, governed by natural rhythms ordained by God.
But my people: Contrast sharply with the natural order. God’s people are positioned to have a higher spiritual discernment.
have not known: Hebrew: lo yada'u. Lack of this vital, responsive knowledge of God’s judgment, indicating willful or ingrained ignorance.
the judgments / the judgment: Hebrew: mishpat (singular) / mishpatim (plural). The decrees, decisions, and sentences of God; in this context, the coming punitive actions against sin.
of the LORD: Hebrew: Yehovah. The personal, covenantal name of God. The people are ignorant of the actions of their God who is in covenant with them.
Natural order versus Spiritual ignorance: The structured use of migratory birds as a comparative element highlights the failure of Israel, who had received divine revelation.
Failure to discern divine timing: The core issue is not an absence of events, but an inability to perceive their God-appointed significance, particularly judgment.
Repetitive pattern of ignorance: The mention of multiple bird types underscores the pervasive and persistent nature of their lack of understanding regarding divine justice.
Jeremiah 8 7 Bonus Section
This verse underscores a recurring theme in Jeremiah and other prophetic books: the contrast between the created order and humanity’s spiritual discernment. God governs all things, both the physical world and human history, according to His sovereign will and timing. The people’s inability to recognize God’s appointed times of judgment is a manifestation of their rejection of His authority and truth. It's a tragic irony that the unintelligent bird is presented as more discerning of God’s established times than the people who possess His covenant and law. This implies a severe spiritual failing, a deep disconnect from divine reality.
Jeremiah 8 7 Commentary
The prophet uses the analogy of migratory birds to shame and expose Israel’s spiritual dullness. Just as birds instinctively follow the rhythms of seasons and migratory paths set by God, God's people ought to recognize the times of His visitation, especially His judgments. Their failure to do so, unlike these natural creatures, signifies a deep-seated spiritual blindness and an apostasy from true understanding of God’s ways and purposes. This ignorance is not innocent; it stems from a refusal to heed God’s warnings and a disconnection from His justice, leading directly to the impending doom they fail to anticipate.