Jeremiah 13:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 13:15 mean?

Jeremiah 13:15 urges the people to listen carefully and not let pride keep them from hearing, because God Himself has spoken. The verse is a direct call to humility and attention, warning that ignoring God's message out of arrogance is dangerous.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, who are being stubborn and refusing to heed God's warnings about their behavior. The situation is serious: God has given a message through Jeremiah, and the people are being told to put aside their pride so they can truly hear and respond. This verse sets the tone for the warnings and consequences that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 13:15

• "Hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means more than just listening with the ears; it often carries the sense of paying attention and obeying. Jeremiah is not just asking for passive hearing but for active, responsive listening.
• "Proud" (גָּבַהּ, gavah): This word describes being lifted up or exalted, often in the sense of arrogance or self-importance. The warning is against letting this kind of pride block the message.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the message comes with the highest authority.
• "Spoken" (דָּבַר, dabar): This word is used for speaking with purpose or authority. The verse stresses that what is being said is not just Jeremiah’s opinion, but a direct message from God.

Why Jeremiah 13:15 matters

• Jeremiah 13:15 clarifies that the main obstacle to hearing God’s warning is pride, not ignorance or confusion, which helps the reader see the heart issue at play.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of the message by stating that it is the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) who has spoken, not just a human messenger.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah of God’s people refusing to listen, setting up the consequences that are about to be described in the following verses.