Jeremiah 35:15
I 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀
I have sent
H7971
וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀
I have sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 36
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 36
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 #:
4 of 36
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם
rising up early
H7925
הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם
rising up early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
7 of 36
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀
I have sent
H7971
וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀
I have sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
8 of 36
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
שֻׁבוּ
Return
H7725
שֻׁבוּ
Return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
10 of 36
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָ֡א
H4994
נָ֡א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
11 of 36
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אִישׁ֩
ye now every man
H376
אִישׁ֩
ye now every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 36
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)
מִדַּרְכּ֨וֹ
way
H1870
מִדַּרְכּ֨וֹ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
13 of 36
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְהֵיטִ֣יבוּ
and amend
H3190
וְהֵיטִ֣יבוּ
and amend
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
15 of 36
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
17 of 36
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
H1980
תֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
18 of 36
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַחֲרֵ֨י
not after
H310
אַחֲרֵ֨י
not after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
19 of 36
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֱלֹהִ֤ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֤ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 of 36
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
לְעָבְדָ֔ם
to serve
H5647
לְעָבְדָ֔ם
to serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
22 of 36
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וּשְׁבוּ֙
them and ye shall dwell in
H3427
וּשְׁבוּ֙
them and ye shall dwell in
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
23 of 36
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
26 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֥תִּי
which I have given
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
which I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
27 of 36
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
to you and to your fathers
H1
וְלַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם
to you and to your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
29 of 36
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
30 of 36
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטִּיתֶם֙
but ye have not inclined
H5186
הִטִּיתֶם֙
but ye have not inclined
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
31 of 36
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
32 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנְכֶ֔ם
your ear
H241
אָזְנְכֶ֔ם
your ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
33 of 36
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
34 of 36
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 18:11Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Jeremiah 22:4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
Historical Context
From Moses through Malachi, God sent prophets 'rising up early'—over 800 years of prophetic witness before Judah's exile. The prophets called for return (shuv) from Baal worship, Asherah poles, child sacrifice to Molech, and syncretistic temple rituals that violated the Mosaic covenant. Judah's refusal led to the 586 BC destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'rising early' to send prophets contrast with your sluggishness to respond to His word—who is more eager, God to save or you to repent?
- What 'other gods' (career, comfort, reputation, pleasure) do you subtly follow 'after' while maintaining religious appearances?
- In what ways have you 'not inclined your ear' to God's repeated calls through Scripture, circumstances, or conscience, preferring spiritual deafness to costly obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them—The phrase hashkem v'shalo'ach (השכם ושלח, 'rising early and sending') appears throughout Jeremiah, depicting God's relentless pursuit of His wayward people. The image of God 'rising early' (like a diligent workman) anthropomorphically conveys divine eagerness to save, not destroy.
Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings (שׁוּבוּ נָא אִישׁ מִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרָעָה וְהֵיטִיבוּ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם shuvu na ish mi-darko hara'ah v'heitivu ma'alleikhem)—The verb שׁוּב (shuv, return/repent) is Jeremiah's keynote, appearing over 100 times. Go not after other gods (אַל־תֵּלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים al-telkhu acharei elohim acherim)—Idolatry as spiritual adultery, the breaking of the first commandment. But ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me—The damning verdict: despite prophetic persistence, Judah remained deaf.