Jeremiah 7:24
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 15
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 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 15
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 15
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 15
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 15
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִבָּ֣ם
heart
H3820
לִבָּ֣ם
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
10 of 15
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וַיִּהְי֥וּ
H1961
וַיִּהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְאָח֖וֹר
and went backward
H268
לְאָח֖וֹר
and went backward
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
13 of 15
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.Jeremiah 8:5Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.Deuteronomy 29:19And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: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.Ezekiel 20:13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.Jeremiah 15:6Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.Jeremiah 23:17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Jeremiah 2:27Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.Nehemiah 9:29And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Historical Context
Despite having the law, prophets, and covenant promises, Israel consistently returned to idolatry throughout their history. This pattern of regression demonstrated heart corruption requiring supernatural regeneration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse illustrate the doctrine of total depravity?
- What is the relationship between internal heart condition and external behavior?
- Why do humans naturally move away from God rather than toward Him apart from grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The indictment: 'But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.' This shows willful rejection—not ignorance but deliberate choice. The phrase 'imagination of their evil heart' reveals the source: corrupt internal desires. The contrast 'went backward, and not forward' indicates regression rather than progress. This verse illustrates total depravity: when left to natural inclinations, humans move away from God, not toward Him. The phrase 'their evil heart' emphasizes internal corruption as the source of external disobedience.