King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 11:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 11:8 in the King James Version says “Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I wi... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 11:8 · KJV


Context

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.

10

They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers , which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse indicts persistent disobedience: 'Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear.' The Hebrew lo sham'u (לֹא שָׁמְעוּ) and lo hitu (לֹא הִטּוּ) describe willful refusal to listen attentively. 'Inclined their ear' (hittah ozen) means to bend the ear toward the speaker—active, focused listening. 'But walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart.' The phrase sheriruth lev hara (שְׁרִרוּת לֵב הָרָע) indicates stubborn, obstinate heart pursuing its own evil inclinations. 'Therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant.' The covenant curses, long delayed, will finally be executed. 'Which I commanded them to do, but they did not.' The indictment concludes with their fundamental failure: commanded but did not do.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This summary covers Israel's history from Sinai to Jeremiah—a pattern of prophetic warning met with stubborn refusal. The 'imagination/stubbornness of evil heart' became Jeremiah's standard description of Judah's problem (3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17). The approaching Babylonian judgment represented accumulated covenant curses finally activated after divine patience exhausted.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'not inclining the ear' reveal about the active choice involved in refusing God's word?
  2. How does the phrase 'stubbornness of their evil heart' describe the root problem behind disobedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְלֹ֤א1 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָֽׁמְעוּ֙2 of 23

Yet they obeyed

H8085

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

וְלֹֽא3 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִטּ֣וּ4 of 23

not nor inclined

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אֶת5 of 23
H853

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

אָזְנָ֔ם6 of 23

their ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ7 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אִ֕ישׁ8 of 23

every one

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בִּשְׁרִיר֖וּת9 of 23

in the imagination

H8307

obstinacy

לִבָּ֣ם10 of 23

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הָרָ֑ע11 of 23

of their evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וָאָבִ֨יא12 of 23

therefore I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עֲלֵיהֶ֜ם13 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶֽת14 of 23
H853

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

כָּל15 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

דִּבְרֵ֧י16 of 23

upon them all the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַבְּרִית17 of 23

of this covenant

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

הַזֹּ֛את18 of 23
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֲשֶׁר19 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוִּ֥יתִי20 of 23

which I commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

עָשֽׂוּ׃21 of 23

but they did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וְלֹ֥א22 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָשֽׂוּ׃23 of 23

but they did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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