Jeremiah 25:4
And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The prophetic ministry to Judah spanned centuries. From the divided kingdom period through the final days before exile, God consistently sent prophets calling for covenant faithfulness. Isaiah prophesied in the 8th century BC, warning of Assyrian and Babylonian threats. Micah, Zephaniah, and Habakkuk all ministered before or during Jeremiah's time. Their unanimous message—repent or face exile—went unheeded. Archaeological evidence confirms Judah's persistent idolatry during this period, including worship of Asherah, Baal, and even child sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sending of multiple prophets with the same message demonstrate both His grace and the seriousness of Judah's rebellion?
- What does it mean to 'incline your ear' to God's word, and how does this differ from passive hearing?
- When confronted with consistent biblical teaching on an issue, how should we respond if it challenges our current beliefs or lifestyle?
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Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear. The phrase ʿăḇāḏāyw hannĕḇîʾîm (עֲבָדָיו הַנְּבִיאִים, his servants the prophets) identifies these messengers as God's authorized representatives. The repetition of 'rising early and sending' emphasizes divine diligence—God took initiative repeatedly to warn His people. The phrase hiṭṭû ʾeṯ-ʾoznĕḵem (הִטּוּ אֶת־אָזְנְכֶם, inclined your ear) describes active listening, leaning in to hear. Judah refused even this basic receptivity.
This verse establishes a pattern of prophetic witness spanning generations. God sent not one prophet but many—Isaiah, Micah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Nahum, Urijah (26:20-23), and others contemporary with Jeremiah. Their unified message called for repentance and warned of judgment. The multiplicity of witnesses fulfilled the legal principle requiring two or three witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). No one could claim they hadn't been warned. Similarly, God sent multiple messengers to Israel—prophets, John the Baptist, the apostles, and ultimately His Son (Matthew 21:33-39; Hebrews 1:1-2).