King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:7 in the King James Version says “For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this d...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.”

Jeremiah 11:7 · KJV

Context

5

That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD. So: Heb. Amen

6

Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them.

7

For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

8

Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. imagination: or, stubbornness

9

And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Read Jeremiah 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse establishes prophetic continuity: 'For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day.' The Hebrew ha'ed ha'edothi (הָעֵד הַעִדֹתִי) uses an intensive verbal construction—'I solemnly testified/warned.' God has been warning from Exodus ('the day I brought them up') until Jeremiah's present ('unto this day')—continuous prophetic witness across centuries. 'Rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.' The phrase 'rising early' (hashkem) anthropomorphically describes God's diligent, eager effort to warn. This is characteristic Jeremianic language for divine persistence (7:13, 25:4, 35:14).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse compresses eight centuries of prophetic ministry into one continuous divine warning. From Moses through judges, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and their contemporaries, God raised prophets to call Israel to covenant faithfulness. The phrase 'rising early' appears frequently in Jeremiah, emphasizing God's eagerness and diligence in seeking His people's return. Historical survey confirms unbroken prophetic witness despite varied response.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's centuries-long pattern of 'earnestly protesting' reveal about His patience and persistence?
  2. How does prophetic continuity from Moses to Jeremiah demonstrate God's consistent message across generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּי֩1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וְהָעֵ֖ד2 of 17

“For I earnestly”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

וְהָעֵ֖ד3 of 17

“For I earnestly”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

בַּאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם4 of 17

“unto your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַיּ֣וֹם5 of 17

“even unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַעֲלוֹתִ֨י6 of 17

“that I brought them up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אוֹתָ֜ם7 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵאֶ֤רֶץ8 of 17

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙9 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְעַד10 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם11 of 17

“even unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה12 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַשְׁכֵּ֥ם13 of 17

“rising early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

וְהָעֵ֖ד14 of 17

“For I earnestly”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

לֵאמֹ֑ר15 of 17

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְע֖וּ16 of 17

“Obey”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקוֹלִֽי׃17 of 17

“my voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 11:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 11:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 36:151 Samuel 8:9Exodus 15:26Ephesians 4:17Exodus 23:21-222 Thessalonians 3:12

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Jeremiah 11 →

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