King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:19 in the King James Version says “Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:19 · KJV


Context

17

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.

18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them: to be a curse: Heb. for a curse

19

Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

20

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD—The Hebrew שָׁמַע (shama, hearkened) means more than hearing—it means obedient listening. Israel's covenant rebellion wasn't ignorance but willful disobedience. This indicts not just Jerusalem's remnant but the exiles who clung to false prophets instead of Jeremiah's hard word.

Which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them—This poignant phrase (הַשְׁכֵּם וְשָׁלֹחַ, hashkem veshaloch, literally 'rising early and sending') appears twelve times in Jeremiah (7:13, 25; 11:7; 25:3-4; 26:5; 29:19; 32:33; 35:14-15; 44:4), portraying God as diligent father urgently warning rebellious children. God sent prophets persistently, early—yet ye would not hear. The tragedy of judgment is that it's entirely preventable but willfully chosen.

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Historical & Cultural Context

From Isaiah through Jeremiah, God sent prophets for over 150 years warning Judah to repent. This 'rising early' language emphasizes divine patience exhausted. The exile wasn't divine cruelty but the natural consequence of persistent covenant rebellion after centuries of patient warning (2 Chr 36:15-16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'rising early and sending' reveal about God's character and His grief over judgment?
  2. How do you respond when God's word contradicts what you want to hear? Do you heed or seek other voices?
  3. In what ways does God still 'rise early' to warn His people today? What messengers does He send?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
תַּ֛חַת1 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אֲשֶֽׁר2 of 20
H834

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

לֹא3 of 20
H3808

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

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם4 of 20

Because they have not hearkened

H8085

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

אֶל5 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דְּבָרַ֖י6 of 20

to my words

H1697

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

נְאֻם7 of 20

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁר֩9 of 20
H834

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

וְשָׁלֹ֔חַ10 of 20

and sending

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם11 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת12 of 20
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֲבָדַ֤י13 of 20

unto them by my servants

H5650

a servant

הַנְּבִאִים֙14 of 20

the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם15 of 20

rising up early

H7925

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

וְשָׁלֹ֔חַ16 of 20

and sending

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וְלֹ֥א17 of 20
H3808

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

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם18 of 20

Because they have not hearkened

H8085

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

נְאֻם19 of 20

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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


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 29:19 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 29:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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