King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 35:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 35:15 in the King James Version says “I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every ma... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 35:15 · KJV


Context

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.

16

Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:

17

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them—The phrase hashkem v'shalo'ach (השכם ושלח, 'rising early and sending') appears throughout Jeremiah, depicting God's relentless pursuit of His wayward people. The image of God 'rising early' (like a diligent workman) anthropomorphically conveys divine eagerness to save, not destroy.

Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings (שׁוּבוּ נָא אִישׁ מִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרָעָה וְהֵיטִיבוּ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם shuvu na ish mi-darko hara'ah v'heitivu ma'alleikhem)—The verb שׁוּב (shuv, return/repent) is Jeremiah's keynote, appearing over 100 times. Go not after other gods (אַל־תֵּלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים al-telkhu acharei elohim acherim)—Idolatry as spiritual adultery, the breaking of the first commandment. But ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me—The damning verdict: despite prophetic persistence, Judah remained deaf.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

From Moses through Malachi, God sent prophets 'rising up early'—over 800 years of prophetic witness before Judah's exile. The prophets called for return (shuv) from Baal worship, Asherah poles, child sacrifice to Molech, and syncretistic temple rituals that violated the Mosaic covenant. Judah's refusal led to the 586 BC destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'rising early' to send prophets contrast with your sluggishness to respond to His word—who is more eager, God to save or you to repent?
  2. What 'other gods' (career, comfort, reputation, pleasure) do you subtly follow 'after' while maintaining religious appearances?
  3. In what ways have you 'not inclined your ear' to God's repeated calls through Scripture, circumstances, or conscience, preferring spiritual deafness to costly obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 36 words
וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀1 of 36

I have sent

H7971

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

אֲלֵיכֶ֣ם2 of 36
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת3 of 36
H853

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

כָּל4 of 36
H3605

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

עֲבָדַ֣י5 of 36

also unto you all my servants

H5650

a servant

הַנְּבִאִ֣ים׀6 of 36

the prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם7 of 36

rising up early

H7925

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

וְשָׁלֹ֣חַ׀8 of 36

I have sent

H7971

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

לֵאמֹ֡ר9 of 36

them saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שֻׁבוּ10 of 36

Return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

נָ֡א11 of 36
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אִישׁ֩12 of 36

ye now every man

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)

מִדַּרְכּ֨וֹ13 of 36

way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָרָעָ֜ה14 of 36

from his evil

H7451

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

וְהֵיטִ֣יבוּ15 of 36

and amend

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

מַֽעַלְלֵיכֶ֗ם16 of 36

your doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

וְאַל17 of 36
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ18 of 36
H1980

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

אַחֲרֵ֨י19 of 36

not after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֤ים20 of 36

gods

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

אֲחֵרִים֙21 of 36

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

לְעָבְדָ֔ם22 of 36

to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

וּשְׁבוּ֙23 of 36

them and ye shall dwell in

H3427

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

אֶל24 of 36
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה25 of 36

the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר26 of 36
H834

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

נָתַ֥תִּי27 of 36

which I have given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֖ם28 of 36
H0
וְלַאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֑ם29 of 36

to you and to your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְלֹ֤א30 of 36
H3808

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

הִטִּיתֶם֙31 of 36

but ye have not inclined

H5186

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

אֶֽת32 of 36
H853

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

אָזְנְכֶ֔ם33 of 36

your ear

H241

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

וְלֹ֥א34 of 36
H3808

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

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם35 of 36

nor hearkened

H8085

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

אֵלָֽי׃36 of 36
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


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 35:15 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 35:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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