Jeremiah 28:7
Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
Original Language Analysis
אַךְ
H389
שְׁמַֽע
Nevertheless hear
H8085
שְׁמַֽע
Nevertheless hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 12
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
הַדָּבָ֣ר
thou now this word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר
thou now this word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דֹּבֵ֣ר
that I speak
H1696
דֹּבֵ֣ר
that I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
8 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּבְאָזְנֵ֖י
and in the ears
H241
וּבְאָזְנֵ֖י
and in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
9 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וּבְאָזְנֵ֖י
and in the ears
H241
וּבְאָזְנֵ֖י
and in the ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
10 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Historical Context
Public prophetic debates occurred throughout Israel's history—Micaiah versus 400 court prophets (1 Kings 22), Elijah versus Baal's prophets (1 Kings 18). The community had to evaluate competing claims by examining prophets' messages against Torah, historical precedent, and eventual fulfillment. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provided the fulfillment test: if prophecy doesn't come to pass, the prophet spoke presumptuously.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you evaluate competing theological claims in your context?
- What criteria distinguish authentic from false teaching in contemporary Christianity?
- When should theological disputes involve the broader community versus remaining private?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people (אַךְ־שְׁמַע־נָא הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי דֹבֵר בְּאָזְנֶיךָ וּבְאָזְנֵי כָּל־הָעָם, akh-sh'ma-na haddavar hazzeh asher anokhi dover v'oznekha uv'oznei khol-ha'am)—the introductory אַךְ (akh, 'nevertheless/however') signals contrasting reality. The imperative שְׁמַע (sh'ma, 'hear') invokes the Shema, commanding attention. Jeremiah addresses both Hananiah directly (בְּאָזְנֶיךָ, 'in your ears') and the witnessing community (בְּאָזְנֵי כָּל־הָעָם, 'in the ears of all the people').
The dual audience indicates that prophetic evaluation isn't merely private dispute but communal concern. Everyone must hear the competing claims to evaluate properly. The verb דָּבַר (davar, 'speak') in participle form (דֹבֵר, dover) emphasizes ongoing speech—'that which I am speaking.' What follows (vv. 8-9) will establish criteria for distinguishing true from false prophecy based on historical precedent and fulfillment.