King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:28 in the King James Version says “But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correctio... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. correction: or, instruction

Jeremiah 7:28 · KJV


Context

26

Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.

27

Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.

28

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth. correction: or, instruction

29

Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

30

For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The final description: 'But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.' This serves as an epitaph for Judah: characterized by disobedience, unteachability, and dishonesty. The phrase 'receiveth not correction' indicates resistant to discipline. Most devastating: 'truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth'—truth no longer resides in them or comes from them. This describes complete moral and spiritual bankruptcy. When truth perishes from a people, they have lost their fundamental orientation to reality itself.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By Jeremiah's time, false prophets, corrupt priests, and unrighteous kings had created a culture where truth was suppressed and lies accepted. This moral chaos preceded national collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are the characteristics of a people from whom truth has perished?
  2. How does resistance to correction accelerate spiritual decline?
  3. What practices help preserve truth within a community of faith?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣1 of 17

But thou shalt say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֶ֤ה3 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַגּוֹי֙4 of 17

unto them This is a nation

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 17
H834

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

לֽוֹא6 of 17
H3808

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

שָׁמְע֗וּ7 of 17

that obeyeth

H8085

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

בְּקוֹל֙8 of 17

not the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֣ה9 of 17

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָ֔יו10 of 17

their 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

וְלֹ֥א11 of 17
H3808

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

לָקְח֖וּ12 of 17

nor receiveth

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מוּסָ֑ר13 of 17

correction

H4148

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

אָֽבְדָה֙14 of 17

is perished

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

הָֽאֱמוּנָ֔ה15 of 17

truth

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

וְנִכְרְתָ֖ה16 of 17

and is cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִפִּיהֶֽם׃17 of 17

from their mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos


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 7:28 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 7:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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