Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִ֨י
H4310
מִ֨י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
אֲדַבְּרָ֤ה
To whom shall I speak
H1696
אֲדַבְּרָ֤ה
To whom shall I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְאָעִ֙ידָה֙
and give warning
H5749
וְאָעִ֙ידָה֙
and give warning
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
4 of 20
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
וְיִשְׁמָ֔עוּ
that they may hear
H8085
וְיִשְׁמָ֔עוּ
that they may hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עֲרֵלָ֣ה
is uncircumcised
H6189
עֲרֵלָ֣ה
is uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
אָזְנָ֔ם
behold their ear
H241
אָזְנָ֔ם
behold their ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
8 of 20
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוּכְל֖וּ
and they cannot
H3201
יוּכְל֖וּ
and they cannot
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
10 of 20
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
דְבַר
behold the word
H1697
דְבַר
behold the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְחֶרְפָּ֖ה
is unto them a reproach
H2781
לְחֶרְפָּ֖ה
is unto them a reproach
Strong's:
H2781
Word #:
17 of 20
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Acts 7:51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.John 7:7The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.Isaiah 53:1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?Exodus 6:12And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?Acts 7:60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.Colossians 1:28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:Psalms 119:70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.Psalms 119:77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
Historical Context
Despite Jeremiah's faithful ministry spanning four decades, Judah largely rejected his message. This hardening of hearts parallels Isaiah's commission (Isaiah 6:9-10) and illustrates the spiritual deafness prophets encountered.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the concept of spiritual hearing differ from merely processing the words of Scripture intellectually?
- What does this verse teach about the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in making people receptive to God's word?
- How should preachers respond when their message is consistently rejected or finds no delight in hearers?
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah's question reveals his prophetic dilemma: he has a message to deliver, but the audience is spiritually incapable of receiving it. The phrase 'their ear is uncircumcised' employs covenant language—just as physical circumcision marked covenant membership, an uncircumcised ear indicates spiritual inability to hear God's word (cf. Acts 7:51). The description of God's word as 'a reproach; they have no delight in it' demonstrates natural hostility to divine truth. This reflects the Reformed doctrine of total depravity: apart from regenerating grace, sinners cannot truly hear and receive God's word with faith and obedience.