Jeremiah Chapter 7 · Verse 28

Authorized King James Version

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But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Original Language Analysis

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ But thou shalt say H559
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ But thou shalt say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם H413
אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
זֶ֤ה H2088
זֶ֤ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 3 of 17
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
הַגּוֹי֙ unto them This is a nation H1471
הַגּוֹי֙ unto them This is a nation
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 4 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֽוֹא H3808
לֽוֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמְע֗וּ that obeyeth H8085
שָׁמְע֗וּ that obeyeth
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 7 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
בְּקוֹל֙ not the voice H6963
בְּקוֹל֙ not the voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 8 of 17
a voice or sound
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֔יו their God H430
אֱלֹהָ֔יו their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 17
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
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לָקְח֖וּ nor receiveth H3947
לָקְח֖וּ nor receiveth
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 12 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מוּסָ֑ר correction H4148
מוּסָ֑ר correction
Strong's: H4148
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint
אָֽבְדָה֙ is perished H6
אָֽבְדָה֙ is perished
Strong's: H6
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
הָֽאֱמוּנָ֔ה truth H530
הָֽאֱמוּנָ֔ה truth
Strong's: H530
Word #: 15 of 17
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
וְנִכְרְתָ֖ה and is cut off H3772
וְנִכְרְתָ֖ה and is cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 16 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מִפִּיהֶֽם׃ from their mouth H6310
מִפִּיהֶֽם׃ from their mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 17 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Analysis & Commentary

The final description: 'But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.' This serves as an epitaph for Judah: characterized by disobedience, unteachability, and dishonesty. The phrase 'receiveth not correction' indicates resistant to discipline. Most devastating: 'truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth'—truth no longer resides in them or comes from them. This describes complete moral and spiritual bankruptcy. When truth perishes from a people, they have lost their fundamental orientation to reality itself.

Historical Context

By Jeremiah's time, false prophets, corrupt priests, and unrighteous kings had created a culture where truth was suppressed and lies accepted. This moral chaos preceded national collapse.

Questions for Reflection