Jeremiah Chapter 11 · Verse 7
For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
H5749
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
2 of 17
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
H5749
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
3 of 17
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
בַּאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם
unto your fathers
H1
בַּאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם
unto your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
4 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַעֲלוֹתִ֨י
that I brought them up
H5927
הַעֲלוֹתִ֨י
that I brought them up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אוֹתָ֜ם
H853
אוֹתָ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
הַשְׁכֵּ֥ם
rising early
H7925
הַשְׁכֵּ֥ם
rising early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
13 of 17
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
H5749
וְהָעֵ֖ד
For I earnestly
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
14 of 17
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:15And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:Ephesians 4:17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.1 Samuel 8:9Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
Historical Context
This verse compresses eight centuries of prophetic ministry into one continuous divine warning. From Moses through judges, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and their contemporaries, God raised prophets to call Israel to covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'rising early' appears frequently in Jeremiah, emphasizing God's eagerness and diligence in seeking His people's return. Historical survey confirms unbroken prophetic witness despite varied response.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's centuries-long pattern of 'earnestly protesting' reveal about His patience and persistence?
- How does prophetic continuity from Moses to Jeremiah demonstrate God's consistent message across generations?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse establishes prophetic continuity: 'For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day.' The Hebrew ha'ed ha'edothi (הָעֵד הַעִדֹתִי) uses an intensive verbal construction—'I solemnly testified/warned.' God has been warning from Exodus ('the day I brought them up') until Jeremiah's present ('unto this day')—continuous prophetic witness across centuries. 'Rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.' The phrase 'rising early' (hashkem) anthropomorphically describes God's diligent, eager effort to warn. This is characteristic Jeremianic language for divine persistence (7:13, 25:4, 35:14).