Jeremiah 9:13
And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein;
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עָזְבָם֙
Because they have forsaken
H5800
עָזְבָם֙
Because they have forsaken
Strong's:
H5800
Word #:
4 of 15
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
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)
תּ֣וֹרָתִ֔י
my law
H8451
תּ֣וֹרָתִ֔י
my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
6 of 15
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֖תִּי
which I set
H5414
נָתַ֖תִּי
which I set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמְע֥וּ
them and have not obeyed
H8085
שָׁמְע֥וּ
them and have not obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
2 Chronicles 7:19But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;Jeremiah 22:9Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.Ezra 9:10And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
Historical Context
This explanation would resonate with exiles familiar with Deuteronomy's covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The Torah had been 'set before them'—publicly read at covenant renewal ceremonies (Joshua 24, 2 Kings 23). They couldn't claim ignorance. The 'voice' of God came through prophets who repeatedly called for repentance. Their failure was willful, not inadvertent.
Questions for Reflection
- How do forsaking, not obeying, and not walking describe progressive stages of covenant unfaithfulness?
- What does the emphasis on God's 'setting before them' His law suggest about human responsibility despite divine initiative?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse provides divine answer: 'And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law.' The Hebrew azvu (עָזְבוּ, forsaken, abandoned) with torati (תּוֹרָתִי, my Torah/instruction) identifies the fundamental problem—covenant law abandoned. 'Which I set before them' (natati liphneihem) recalls Deuteronomy's presentation of the covenant at Moab. 'And have not obeyed my voice' (shamu beqoli) echoes the Shema's demand for obedient hearing. 'Neither walked therein' (halku bah) uses the Hebrew verb for lifestyle, conduct—they didn't live according to Torah. The three-fold description—forsaking, not obeying, not walking—comprehensively describes covenant violation.