Jeremiah 7:26
Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
Original Language Analysis
וְל֤וֹא
H3808
וְל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמְעוּ֙
Yet they hearkened
H8085
שָׁמְעוּ֙
Yet they hearkened
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 12
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטּ֖וּ
not unto me nor inclined
H5186
הִטּ֖וּ
not unto me nor inclined
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
5 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 #:
6 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָזְנָ֑ם
their ear
H241
אָזְנָ֑ם
their ear
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
7 of 12
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙
but hardened
H7185
וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙
but hardened
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָרְפָּ֔ם
their neck
H6203
עָרְפָּ֔ם
their neck
Strong's:
H6203
Word #:
10 of 12
the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)
Cross References
Jeremiah 16:12And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:2 Chronicles 30:8Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.Jeremiah 17:23But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.Jeremiah 19:15Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.Jeremiah 7:24But 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.Matthew 23:32Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
Historical Context
Each successive generation in Israel's history tended toward greater apostasy, from the judges period through the monarchy to the exile. Resisted grace hardens hearts further.
Questions for Reflection
- How does resistance to God's word progressively harden the heart?
- What is the responsibility of one generation to prevent the next from descending further into rebellion?
- How do we avoid the pattern of doing 'worse than our fathers' spiritually?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The response to prophetic ministry: 'Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.' The metaphor 'hardened their neck' comes from stubborn oxen refusing the yoke. Not only did they resist God's word, but 'they did worse than their fathers'—each generation descended deeper into rebellion. This demonstrates the progressive nature of generational sin when not addressed. The comparison to previous generations shows that familiarity with truth without obedience leads to greater hardness. Reformed theology sees here the principle that resisted light increases darkness.