King James Version
Jeremiah 27:17 in the King James Version says “Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?”
Jeremiah 27:17 · KJV
For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. a lie: Heb. in a lie, or, lyingly
Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?
But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
KJV Study — Public Domain
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“Hearken”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
“not unto them serve”
H5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“wherefore should this city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
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.
Jeremiah 27:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Jeremiah 27:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge