King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:2 in the King James Version says “Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.”

Jeremiah 7:2 · KJV

Context

1

The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2

Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

3

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

4

Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.

Read Jeremiah 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commands Jeremiah to deliver His message publicly: 'Stand in the gate of the LORD's house' (ʿămmōḏ bĕšaʿar bêṯ-YHWH, עֲמֹד בְּשַׁעַר בֵּית־יְהוָה). The temple gate was the most public location, ensuring maximum audience. The charge: 'proclaim there this word' (wĕqārāʾṯā šām ʾeṯ-haddāḇār hazzeh)—public proclamation, not private counsel. The audience: 'Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD' (šimʿû ḏĕḇar-YHWH kol-yĕhûḏâ habbāʾîm bĕšĕʿārîm hāʾēlleh lĕhištaḥăwōṯ laYHWH). This addresses worshipers entering for temple ritual—people who consider themselves religiously observant. The irony is palpable: God's message will challenge whether their worship is genuine or hypocritical, whether they truly know God or merely maintain religious routine. This sets the stage for confronting the disconnect between external religious observance and internal heart condition, between ritual and righteousness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's temple was the religious center of Judah, where daily sacrifices occurred and pilgrims came for festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). The temple gates were high-traffic areas where prophets, priests, and teachers addressed the public. Jeremiah's positioning there ensured his message reached both Jerusalem residents and pilgrims from throughout Judah. The phrase 'enter in at these gates to worship' indicates people coming for prescribed ritual observances, believing such participation fulfilled covenant requirements. However, the prophets consistently taught that ritual without righteousness is worthless (Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). Jeremiah's sermon would expose this disconnect, warning that temple worship doesn't substitute for covenant obedience. The message was so controversial it nearly cost him his life (Jeremiah 26:8-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you evaluate whether your worship is genuine encounter with God or merely religious routine?
  2. What would it look like for God's word to confront your comfortable religious assumptions as it did for Jeremiah's audience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עֲמֹ֗ד1 of 20

“Stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים2 of 20

“at these gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בֵּ֣ית3 of 20

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לַיהוָֽה׃4 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְקָרָ֣אתָ5 of 20

“and proclaim”

H7121

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

שָּׁ֔ם6 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת7 of 20
H853

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

דְבַר8 of 20

“the word”

H1697

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

הַזֶּ֑ה9 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאָמַרְתָּ֞10 of 20

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שִׁמְע֣וּ11 of 20

“Hear”

H8085

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

דְבַר12 of 20

“the word”

H1697

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

לַיהוָֽה׃13 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

כָּל14 of 20
H3605

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

יְהוּדָה֙15 of 20

“all ye of Judah”

H3063

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

הַבָּאִים֙16 of 20

“that enter in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בַּשְּׁעָרִ֣ים17 of 20

“at these gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָאֵ֔לֶּה18 of 20
H428

these or those

לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֹ֖ת19 of 20

“to worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לַיהוָֽה׃20 of 20

“of 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 7:2 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 7:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 26:2Revelation 3:22Amos 7:16Jeremiah 22:1-2Isaiah 1:10Ezekiel 2:4-5

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 7 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes