Jeremiah 11:8
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָֽׁמְעוּ֙
Yet they obeyed
H8085
שָֽׁמְעוּ֙
Yet they obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטּ֣וּ
not nor inclined
H5186
הִטּ֣וּ
not nor inclined
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
4 of 23
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנָ֔ם
their ear
H241
אָזְנָ֔ם
their ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
6 of 23
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִ֕ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֕ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לִבָּ֣ם
heart
H3820
לִבָּ֣ם
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 23
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וָאָבִ֨יא
therefore I will bring
H935
וָאָבִ֨יא
therefore I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
12 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֧י
upon them all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֧י
upon them all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
16 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַבְּרִית
of this covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִית
of this covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
17 of 23
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשֽׂוּ׃
but they did
H6213
עָשֽׂוּ׃
but they did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
21 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:24But 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 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.Jeremiah 35:15I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
This summary covers Israel's history from Sinai to Jeremiah—a pattern of prophetic warning met with stubborn refusal. The 'imagination/stubbornness of evil heart' became Jeremiah's standard description of Judah's problem (3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17). The approaching Babylonian judgment represented accumulated covenant curses finally activated after divine patience exhausted.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'not inclining the ear' reveal about the active choice involved in refusing God's word?
- How does the phrase 'stubbornness of their evil heart' describe the root problem behind disobedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse indicts persistent disobedience: 'Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear.' The Hebrew lo sham'u (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ) and lo hitu (לֹא הִטּוּ) describe willful refusal to listen attentively. 'Inclined their ear' (hittah ozen) means to bend the ear toward the speaker—active, focused listening. 'But walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart.' The phrase sheriruth lev hara (שְׁרִרוּת לֵב הָרָע) indicates stubborn, obstinate heart pursuing its own evil inclinations. 'Therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant.' The covenant curses, long delayed, will finally be executed. 'Which I commanded them to do, but they did not.' The indictment concludes with their fundamental failure: commanded but did not do.