King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 19:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 19:3 in the King James Version says “And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

Jeremiah 19:3 · KJV


Context

1

Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

2

And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee, the east: Heb. the sun gate

3

And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

4

Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;

5

They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses 'kings of Judah' (plural) and 'inhabitants of Jerusalem,' showing the judgment's comprehensive scope. The phrase 'whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle' indicates shocking, unprecedented judgment. Similar language appears regarding Eli's house (1 Sam 3:11) and Jerusalem's destruction (2 Kings 21:12). When God's patience exhausts, judgment becomes a cautionary tale.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'tingling ears' idiom indicates news so shocking it causes physical sensation. Jerusalem's destruction would become proverbial throughout the ancient Near East.

Reflection Questions

  1. What judgments of God in history should make our ears 'tingle' with warning?
  2. How do you respond to biblical warnings of judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
אָמַר֩1 of 25

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֹׁמְעָ֖הּ2 of 25

Hear

H8085

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

דְבַר3 of 25

ye the word

H1697

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

יְהוָ֨ה4 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מַלְכֵ֣י5 of 25

O kings

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 25

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיֹשְׁבֵ֖י7 of 25

and inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם8 of 25

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כֹּֽה9 of 25
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֩10 of 25

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֨ה11 of 25

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת12 of 25

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י13 of 25

the God

H430

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל14 of 25

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הִנְנִ֨י15 of 25
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֤יא16 of 25

Behold I will bring

H935

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

רָעָה֙17 of 25

evil

H7451

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

עַל18 of 25
H5921

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

הַמָּק֣וֹם19 of 25

upon this place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֔ה20 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 25
H834

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

כָּל22 of 25
H3605

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

שֹׁמְעָ֖הּ23 of 25

Hear

H8085

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

תִּצַּ֥לְנָה24 of 25

shall tingle

H6750

to tinkle, i.e., rattle together (as the ears in reddening with shame, or the teeth in chattering with fear)

אָזְנָֽיו׃25 of 25

his ears

H241

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


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 19:3 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 19:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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