Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah and all people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem who come through these gates. New Living Translation Say to all the people, ‘Listen to this message from the LORD, you kings of Judah and all you people of Judah and everyone living in Jerusalem. English Standard Version and say: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Berean Standard Bible Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. Berean Literal Bible And you shall say to them: ‘Hear the word of YHWH, O kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all those dwelling in Jerusalem who enter by these gates. King James Bible And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: New King James Version and say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. New American Standard Bible and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates. NASB 1995 and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates: NASB 1977 and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem, who come in through these gates: Legacy Standard Bible and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates: Amplified Bible and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the people of Jerusalem who enter through these gates. Berean Annotated Bible Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}, O kings of Judah (praised), all people of Judah and Jerusalem (city of peace) who enter through these gates. Christian Standard Bible Announce to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates. Holman Christian Standard Bible Announce to them: Hear the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem who enter through these gates. American Standard Version and say unto them, Hear ye the word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: English Revised Version and say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates; GOD'S WORD® Translation Tell everyone: "Listen to the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, all the people of Judah, and all those who live in Jerusalem, and go through these gates. Good News Translation Tell the kings and all the people of Judah and everyone who lives in Jerusalem and enters these gates, to listen to what I say. International Standard Version Say to them, 'Kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the residents of Jerusalem entering these gates, hear this message from the LORD. NET Bible As you stand in those places announce, 'Listen, all you people who pass through these gates. Listen, all you kings of Judah, all you people of Judah and all you citizens of Jerusalem. Listen to what the LORD says. New Heart English Bible and tell them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: Webster's Bible Translation And say to them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter by these gates: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSay to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. World English Bible Tell them, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word, you kings of Judah, all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have said to them: Hear a word of YHWH, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem, who are coming in by these gates,” Berean Literal Bible And you shall say to them: ‘Hear the word of YHWH, O kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all those dwelling in Jerusalem who enter by these gates. Young's Literal Translation and thou hast said unto them: Hear a word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all inhabitants of Jerusalem, who are coming in by these gates, Smith's Literal Translation And say to them, Hear the word of Jehovah, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all inhabiting Jerusalem, coming in by these gates: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt say to them: Hear the word of the Lord, ye kings of Juda, and all Juda, and all the inhabitant of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates. Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall say to them: Listen to the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and all of Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter through these gates.” New American Bible There say to them: Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all you inhabitants of Jerusalem who enter these gates! New Revised Standard Version and say to them: Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd say to them, Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah and all the house of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem who enter by these gates. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And say to them: “Hear the word of LORD JEHOVAH, Kings of Judea, and all the house of Judea, and all of the inhabitants of Jerusalem who enter in these gates! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and say unto them: Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates; Brenton Septuagint Translation and thou shalt say to them, Hear the word of the Lord, ye kings of Juda, and all Judea, and all Jerusalem, all who go in at these gates: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sabbath Renewed19This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem. 20Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates. 21This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.… Cross References Say to them, Jeremiah 35:13 “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: ‘Will you not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD. Jeremiah 11:2 “Listen to the words of this covenant and tell them to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 3:11 Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” ‘Hear the word of the LORD, Jeremiah 42:15 then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there, Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! O kings of Judah, Jeremiah 19:3 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I am going to bring such disaster on this place that the ears of all who hear of it will ring, Jeremiah 22:2 saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates. 2 Kings 23:11 And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. all people of Judah and Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 34:30 And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. Jeremiah 11:6 Then the LORD said to me, “Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying: Hear the words of this covenant and carry them out. Jeremiah 36:9 Now in the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a fast before the LORD was proclaimed to all the people of Jerusalem and all who had come there from the cities of Judah. who enter through these gates. Jeremiah 7:2 “Stand in the gate of the house of the LORD and proclaim this message: Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who enter through these gates to worship the LORD. Psalm 122:2 Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Psalm 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! / Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. / Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! … Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. / Six days you shall labor and do all your work, / but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. … Treasury of Scripture And say to them, Hear you the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates: Jeremiah 13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. Jeremiah 19:3 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Jeremiah 22:2 And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates: Jump to Previous Doors Ear Enter Gates Hear Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Kings WordJump to Next Doors Ear Enter Gates Hear Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Kings WordJeremiah 17 1. The captivity of Judah for her sin.5. Trust in man is cursed; 7. in God is blessed. 9. The deceitful heart cannot deceive God. 12. The salvation of God. 15. The prophet complains of the mockers of his prophecy. 19. He is sent to renew the covenant in hallowing the Sabbath. Say to them This phrase indicates a direct command from God to the prophet Jeremiah. It emphasizes the role of the prophet as a messenger who conveys God's words to the people. Prophets in the Old Testament were often tasked with delivering messages of warning, instruction, or encouragement, and their authority came directly from God. ‘Hear the word of the LORD O kings of Judah all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. Kings of Judah The ruling monarchs of the southern kingdom of Judah, responsible for leading the people in accordance with God's laws. 3. People of Judah The inhabitants of the southern kingdom, often called to repentance by the prophets due to their disobedience. 4. Jerusalem The capital city of Judah, a central place of worship and political power, often symbolic of the spiritual state of the nation. 5. Gates of Jerusalem The entry points to the city, symbolizing the threshold between the secular and the sacred, and a place of judgment and decision-making. Teaching Points The Importance of Listening to GodThe call to "hear the word of the LORD" is a reminder that God speaks to His people and expects them to listen attentively. In our daily lives, we must prioritize time to read and meditate on Scripture, seeking to understand God's will. Leadership Accountability The mention of the "kings of Judah" highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide their people according to God's commands. Whether in church, family, or community, leaders are accountable to God for their influence and decisions. The Role of the Community The address to "all people of Judah and Jerusalem" underscores the collective responsibility of the community to uphold God's standards. As believers, we are called to support one another in faith and obedience. The Significance of the Gates The "gates" symbolize decision points in our lives where we choose to follow God's path or our own. We must be vigilant at these crossroads, ensuring our choices align with God's word. Repentance and Obedience The broader context of Jeremiah's message is a call to repentance and obedience. True repentance involves a change of heart and actions, aligning our lives with God's commands. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 17:20?2. How does Jeremiah 17:20 emphasize the importance of obeying God's commands today? 3. What does "kings of Judah" in Jeremiah 17:20 signify about leadership responsibility? 4. How can we apply the call to "hear the word of the LORD"? 5. What connections exist between Jeremiah 17:20 and the Ten Commandments? 6. How can we ensure our actions align with God's instructions in Jeremiah 17:20? 7. What is the historical context of Jeremiah 17:20? 8. How does Jeremiah 17:20 relate to the theme of obedience in the Bible? 9. What message does Jeremiah 17:20 convey about listening to God's commands? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 17? 11. Do the promises in Jer 42 about the safety of the remnant conflict with the calamities in Jer 43? 12. In Jeremiah 45:4, is there any historical or archeological evidence to support the claim that God would 'overthrow what I have built' in a specific time and place? 13. Jeremiah 30:17 promises healing and restoration; is there any scientific or documented historical proof of a miraculous national recovery that matches the text's extraordinary claims? 14. Jeremiah 42:1-6: If the people truly sought God's guidance, why did they ignore it immediately after receiving Jeremiah's answer? What Does Jeremiah 17:20 Mean Say to themJeremiah receives a direct charge. The imperative “Say” places the prophet under divine orders, not personal inclination. • Jeremiah acts as a mouthpiece, echoing Jeremiah 1:7, 17 (BSB: “You must go to everyone I send you and speak whatever I command you”). • Ezekiel 3:11 shows the same pattern—prophets speak only what God puts in their mouths. • This reminds us that God still speaks with authority today through His written Word; our task mirrors Jeremiah’s—simply pass it on without alteration. Hear the word of the LORD The call is not to admire or debate but to listen with the intent to obey. • Deuteronomy 6:4–5 begins the Shema the same way: “Hear, O Israel,” linking true hearing with wholehearted love. • Isaiah 1:10 rebukes rulers who “hear the word of the LORD” yet ignore it; James 1:22 urges believers to be doers, not merely hearers. • In Jeremiah 11:2 God says, “Hear the words of this covenant,” underscoring that covenant life hinges on receptive hearts. O kings of Judah Leadership is addressed first, because responsibility starts at the top. • Jeremiah 22:2 instructs the king to “hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah…you and your officials and your people.” • 2 Kings 23:1-3 shows King Josiah modeling obedience by reading the Book of the Covenant publicly. • Psalm 2:10-12 counsels kings to “be wise” and “serve the LORD with fear,” reminding civil leaders that they are under divine authority. all people of Judah and Jerusalem The message embraces everyone, rejecting any notion that holiness is for clergy alone. • Deuteronomy 29:10-11 calls “all of you, your leaders and tribes…your women and children” to stand in covenant. • Joel 2:15-17 gathers elders, infants, and newlyweds alike for national repentance. • Acts 2:39 extends the promise “to you and your children and to all who are afar off,” showing God’s inclusive heart through every era. who enter through these gates The setting is the city gates—places of worship, commerce, and justice. The audience is about to step into the public square or the temple; God meets them at the threshold. • Jeremiah 17:19 locates the prophet “in the gate of the people,” signaling strategic positioning where decisions are made. • Jeremiah 7:2 commands him to “stand in the gate of the LORD’s house” and proclaim truth to worshipers. • Psalm 24:7 calls, “Lift up your heads, O gates,” anticipating the King of Glory; righteous conduct at the gates honors that coming King. summary Jeremiah 17:20 pictures God halting every rank of society—rulers, citizens, worshipers—at the very entry point of daily life and communal worship. Through His prophet He insists, “Listen to My Word.” The verse underscores three timeless truths: God’s message is authoritative, obedience is universal, and accountability begins the moment we step into the public sphere. Verse 20. - Jeremiah addresses himself first of all to the kings of Judah. As it would be very unnatural for a public orator to appeal to the yet unborn members of the reigning dynasty, and as there are several indications that the "house of David" was able at this period, as also in that of Isaiah, to exercise a decisive political and civil influence, even, as appears from Jeremiah 21:11, 12, monopolizing the judicial functions, it is natural to suppose that "kings of Judah" is here used in a very special sense, via. of the members of the various branches of the royal family ("The sons of the king," Zephaniah 1:8; comp. Jeremiah 36:26, "Jerahmeel, a king's son"), and their descendants, who received the royal title by courtesy (parallels for this will be found in Gesenius's 'Hebrew Thesaurus,' s.v.me'lek). The queen-mother was probably the leader of this plan; "the mistress," as she was called (see on Jeremiah 13:18), and the royal princes (among whom the "house of Nathan," Zechariah 12:12, would doubtless be reckoned), constituted in fact a body almost as numerous as they did (according to Brugsch Bey) in Egypt, and politically much more influential; so much so indeed that only a king of unusual force of character, like Hezekiah or Josiah, could venture, and that timidly, to oppose them. The weak-principled Zedekiah seems to have been entirely dominated by this powerful caste, and to have been little more than a maire du palais (the same sense of the phrase is required in Jeremiah 19:8, and probably in Jeremiah 25:18).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Sayוְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to them, אֲ֠לֵיהֶם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘Hear שִׁמְע֨וּ (šim·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently the word דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD, יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel O kings מַלְכֵ֤י (mal·ḵê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4428: A king of Judah, יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites all [people] וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every of Judah יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites [and] וְכֹ֖ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every Jerusalem יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel who enter הַבָּאִ֖ים (hab·bā·’îm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go through these הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those gates. בַּשְּׁעָרִ֥ים (baš·šə·‘ā·rîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate Links Jeremiah 17:20 NIVJeremiah 17:20 NLT Jeremiah 17:20 ESV Jeremiah 17:20 NASB Jeremiah 17:20 KJV Jeremiah 17:20 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 17:20 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 17:20 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 17:20 French Bible Jeremiah 17:20 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 17:20 And tell them Hear you the word (Jer.) |
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