King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:13 in the King James Version says “And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but y... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

Jeremiah 7:13 · KJV


Context

11

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.

12

But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

13

And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

14

Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

15

And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God applies the lesson: 'And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not' (wĕʿattâ yaʿan ʿăśôṯĕḵem ʾeṯ-kol-hammaʿăśîm hāʾēlleh nĕʾum-YHWH wāʾădabbēr ʾălêḵem haškēm wĕḏabbēr wĕlōʾ šĕmaʿtem wāʾeqrā ʾeṯḵem wĕlōʾ ʿănîṯem). The phrase 'rising up early' (haškēm) idiomatically means persistent, diligent effort—God repeatedly sent prophetic warnings. Despite patient, persistent appeals, 'ye heard not...ye answered not' (wĕlōʾ šĕmaʿtem...wĕlōʾ ʿănîṯem). This establishes guilt: judgment comes after rejected grace, ignored warnings, spurned mercy. God's patience has limits; persistent refusal to heed prophetic calls results in inevitable judgment. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—longsuffering gives opportunity for repentance (Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9), but presuming upon patience brings 'sudden destruction' (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's ministry spanned over forty years, during which he consistently called for repentance (Jeremiah 25:3: 'From the thirteenth year of Josiah...even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened'). Other prophets—Habakkuk, Zephaniah, perhaps Nahum and Obadiah—ministered contemporaneously. Before them, Isaiah, Micah, and others had warned. God provided repeated opportunities for repentance, but each generation refused. This established pattern of rejection justified coming judgment—God wasn't arbitrary or cruel but patient beyond measure. When judgment finally came through Babylon's conquest (586 BC), no one could claim surprise or injustice. Jesus later wept over Jerusalem for the same reason (Matthew 23:37-39, Luke 19:41-44): persistent rejection of prophetic calls leads to inevitable judgment. The principle warns that grace spurned becomes judgment certain.

Reflection Questions

  1. What persistent biblical calls to repentance in specific areas have you been ignoring or rationalizing away?
  2. How should understanding God's patience and repeated warnings motivate urgent response rather than presumptuous delay?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 19
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

יַ֧עַן2 of 19
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

עֲשׂוֹתְכֶ֛ם3 of 19

And now because ye have done

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת4 of 19
H853

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

כָּל5 of 19
H3605

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

הַמַּֽעֲשִׂ֥ים6 of 19

all these works

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

הָאֵ֖לֶּה7 of 19
H428

these or those

נְאֻם8 of 19

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה9 of 19

the LORD

H3068

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

וְדַבֵּר֙10 of 19

and I spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֲלֵיכֶ֜ם11 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשְׁכֵּ֤ם12 of 19

unto you rising up early

H7925

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

וְדַבֵּר֙13 of 19

and I spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְלֹ֣א14 of 19
H3808

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

שְׁמַעְתֶּ֔ם15 of 19

but ye heard

H8085

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

וָאֶקְרָ֥א16 of 19

not and I called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶתְכֶ֖ם17 of 19
H853

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

וְלֹ֥א18 of 19
H3808

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

עֲנִיתֶֽם׃19 of 19

you but ye answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,


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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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