King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 35:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 35:13 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 35:13 · KJV

Context

11

But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.

12

Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

13

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD.

14

The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me.

15

I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.

Read Jeremiah 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? (הֲלוֹא תִקְחוּ מוּסָר לִשְׁמֹעַ אֶל־דְּבָרָי halo tiqchu musar lishmo'a el-d'varai)—The rhetorical question drips with divine exasperation. Musar (instruction/discipline) appears throughout Proverbs as wisdom's corrective teaching. Hearken (שָׁמַע shama') again emphasizes obedient hearing, not mere auditory reception.

Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—The prophetic commission targets both political leadership ('men of Judah') and general population ('inhabitants of Jerusalem'). God commands Jeremiah to use the Rechabites as a sermon illustration, turning their living obedience into a mirror reflecting Judah's spiritual bankruptcy. The question isn't whether Judah CAN learn from the Rechabites, but whether they WILL—the tragedy being that God knows the answer (v. 17).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's ministry (627-586 BC) spanned the reigns of Judah's last five kings, a period of terminal apostasy. Despite forty years of preaching, multiple prophetic signs, and now the Rechabite object lesson, Judah refused instruction. This verse captures the pathos of God's persistent appeals to a people determined to self-destruct.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'instruction' (musar) is God offering you through current circumstances or biblical truth that you're refusing to receive?
  2. How does the Rechabites' example function as a mirror exposing areas where your obedience falls short of even non-Israelites' faithfulness?
  3. Why do religious people (like Judah) often resist instruction more stubbornly than irreligious people, having more knowledge but less obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כֹּֽה1 of 20
H3541

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

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙2 of 20

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙4 of 20

“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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 20

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל6 of 20

“of Israel”

H3478

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

הָלֹ֤ךְ7 of 20

“Go”

H1980

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

וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֙8 of 20

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְאִ֣ישׁ9 of 20

“the men”

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)

יְהוּדָ֔ה10 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וּלְיֽוֹשְׁבֵ֖י11 of 20

“and the inhabitants”

H3427

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם12 of 20

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הֲל֨וֹא13 of 20
H3808

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

תִקְח֥וּ14 of 20

“Will ye not receive”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מוּסָ֛ר15 of 20

“instruction”

H4148

properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint

לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ16 of 20

“to hearken”

H8085

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

אֶל17 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דְּבָרַ֖י18 of 20

“to my words”

H1697

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

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 35:13 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 35:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:33Jeremiah 5:3Isaiah 28:9-12Jeremiah 6:8-10Hebrews 12:25Proverbs 19:20

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 35 →

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 35 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 35 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes