Jeremiah 19:15
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 28
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 28
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵבִ֜י
Behold I will bring
H935
מֵבִ֜י
Behold I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָרֶ֔יהָ
and upon all her towns
H5892
עָרֶ֔יהָ
and upon all her towns
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
10 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עָרֶ֔יהָ
and upon all her towns
H5892
עָרֶ֔יהָ
and upon all her towns
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 28
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 #:
16 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
that I have pronounced
H1696
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי
that I have pronounced
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
19 of 28
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִקְשׁוּ֙
against it because they have hardened
H7185
הִקְשׁוּ֙
against it because they have hardened
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
22 of 28
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרְפָּ֔ם
their necks
H6203
עָרְפָּ֔ם
their necks
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
24 of 28
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
שְׁמ֥וֹעַ
that they might not hear
H8085
שְׁמ֥וֹעַ
that they might not hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
26 of 28
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.Jeremiah 17:23But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.Nehemiah 9:29And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.Nehemiah 9:17And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
Historical Context
This stubbornness persisted despite prophetic warnings over generations. God sent prophet after prophet, yet the people and leaders consistently rejected His word.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas are you tempted to 'harden your neck' against God's word?
- How do you cultivate a tender, responsive heart toward Scripture?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The reason for Jerusalem's judgment is stated clearly: they 'hardened their necks' and refused to hear God's words. The metaphor of a stiff-necked animal that won't submit to the yoke appears frequently in Scripture (Ex 32:9, Acts 7:51). Persistent resistance to God's word brings inevitable judgment. The tragedy is not God's harshness but Israel's obstinacy.