Jeremiah 44:5
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָֽׁמְעוּ֙
But they hearkened
H8085
שָֽׁמְעוּ֙
But they hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטּ֣וּ
not nor inclined
H5186
הִטּ֣וּ
not nor inclined
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
4 of 12
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנָ֔ם
their ear
H241
אָזְנָ֔ם
their ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
6 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
לָשׁ֖וּב
to turn
H7725
לָשׁ֖וּב
to turn
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
7 of 12
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵרָֽעָתָ֑ם
from their wickedness
H7451
מֵרָֽעָתָ֑ם
from their wickedness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
8 of 12
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
קַטֵּ֖ר
to burn no incense
H6999
קַטֵּ֖ר
to burn no incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
10 of 12
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
Historical Context
This verse summarizes decades of prophetic ministry. From Josiah's reforms (622 BC) through the final fall (586 BC), prophets repeatedly called for repentance. The people's consistent refusal, despite Josiah's reforms and Babylonian invasions (605, 597, 586 BC), demonstrated hardened rebellion. Even witnessing Jerusalem's destruction didn't produce repentance—the refugees in Egypt continued their idolatry (Jeremiah 44:15-19).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'incline your ear' to God's word versus merely hearing it?
- How can repeated exposure to biblical truth coexist with unchanged behavior?
- What forms of 'not hearkening' might characterize your own spiritual life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear—the adversative wəlōʾ šāməʿû (but they did not hear/obey) creates sharp contrast with God's eager sending. Inclined their ear (wəlōʾ-hiṭṭû ʾoznām) uses the Hiphil of nāṭâ, meaning 'to stretch toward, lean in'—they refused even the posture of listening. This combines two levels of refusal: šāmaʿ (hear/obey) addresses both reception and compliance, while nāṭâ ʾōzen (incline ear) depicts attentive readiness. Their rebellion was comprehensive—no reception, no attention, no obedience.
To turn from their wickedness (lāšûb mērāʿātām) uses the crucial repentance vocabulary šûb (turn, return). The purpose infinitive shows that prophetic warning aimed at repentance, not mere information. To burn no incense unto other gods (ləbiltî qaṭṭēr lēʾlōhîm ʾăḥērîm)—the negative infinitive construct shows the specific behavioral change required. They were called to cessation, not mere reduction, of idolatrous worship. Their refusal demonstrated that covenant privilege without covenant obedience guarantees covenant judgment.