Jeremiah 35:17
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֠כֵן
H3651
לָ֠כֵן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 31
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 31
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 31
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
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
6 of 31
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 31
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 #:
8 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵבִ֣יא
Behold I will bring
H935
מֵבִ֣יא
Behold I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 31
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוּדָ֗ה
upon Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
upon Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 31
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙
and upon all the inhabitants
H3427
יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙
and upon all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
16 of 31
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 31
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 #:
18 of 31
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 #:
20 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
against them because I have spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
against them because I have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
21 of 31
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַ֣עַן
H3282
יַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
23 of 31
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
against them because I have spoken
H1696
דִּבַּ֤רְתִּי
against them because I have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
24 of 31
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
26 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמֵ֔עוּ
unto them but they have not heard
H8085
שָׁמֵ֔עוּ
unto them but they have not heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
27 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וָאֶקְרָ֥א
and I have called
H7121
וָאֶקְרָ֥א
and I have called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
28 of 31
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Isaiah 66:4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.Romans 10:21But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.Isaiah 65:12Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.Proverbs 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.Jeremiah 7:13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;Isaiah 50:2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.Proverbs 13:13Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.Jeremiah 11:8Yet 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.Jeremiah 32:33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.Jeremiah 26:5To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
Historical Context
This pronouncement anticipated the 586 BC Babylonian destruction: Jerusalem's walls breached, temple burned, population exiled, Davidic throne suspended. The 'evil' (ra'ah) fulfilled covenant warnings Moses gave 800 years earlier—disobedience triggers curse. The severity matches the privilege: to whom much revelation is given, much accountability is required (Luke 12:48).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's exhaustion of appeals ('I have spoken...I have called') before judgment warn you not to presume on His patience indefinitely?
- What 'evil that I have pronounced' (consequences of sin) are you inviting by refusing to hear and answer God's current calls to repentance?
- In what ways does the certainty of God's judgment ('Behold, I will bring') motivate you toward urgent obedience rather than presumptuous delay?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel—The full title יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yahweh Elohei Tzeva'ot Elohei Yisra'el) combines covenant name (Yahweh), military sovereignty (God of hosts/armies), and relationship (God of Israel). The comprehensive title underscores that judgment comes from Israel's own covenant God, not a foreign deity.
Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them (הִנְנִי מֵבִיא אֶל־יְהוּדָה...אֵת כָּל־הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם hineni mevi el-Yehudah...et kol-hara'ah asher dibarti aleihem)—Hineni ('behold') marks solemn divine decree. Because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered—The double indictment (not hearing, not answering) seals Judah's doom. God's patient appeals exhausted, covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28) activate.