And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.

JEREMIAH 32:33KJV
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Jeremiah 32:33 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 32:33 mean?

Jeremiah 32:33 describes how the people of Judah have deliberately turned away from God, ignoring His repeated efforts to teach and correct them. Even though God persistently tried to guide them, they refused to listen or accept His instruction.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah during a time when Jerusalem is under threat from Babylon. The language paints a vivid picture: instead of facing God, the people have shown Him their backs, symbolizing rejection and disrespect. Despite God’s ongoing attempts to reach them, they have stubbornly refused to heed His warnings or learn from Him.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 32:33

  • "turned" (פָּנָה, panah): This word means to turn or face, and here it highlights a deliberate act of turning away from God rather than toward Him.
  • "back" (עֹרֶף, oref) and "face" (פָּנִים, panim): These words create a strong visual contrast. Showing one’s back instead of one’s face in this context emphasizes rejection and a lack of respect.
  • "taught" and "teaching" (לָמַד, lamad): This verb is used twice, underlining God’s ongoing, active effort to instruct His people.
  • "early" (שָׁכַם, shakam): This word often means to do something diligently or persistently, especially early in the day, stressing God’s eagerness and persistence in reaching out.
  • "hearkened" (שָׁמַע, shama): This means to listen or pay attention, and its use here shows the people’s refusal to truly listen.
  • "receive" (לָקַח, laqach) and "instruction" (מוּסָר, musar): These words together point to the people’s unwillingness to accept correction or discipline, not just to hear it.

Why Jeremiah 32:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people’s problem was not ignorance, but a willful rejection of God’s guidance, despite His persistent efforts.
  • The strong imagery of turning the back instead of the face shows the depth of their disregard and the personal nature of their relationship with God.
  • In the wider passage, this verse helps explain why judgment is coming upon Judah: not because God failed to teach, but because the people refused to listen and learn.

Where else these words appear

“back” Hebrew H6203 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
  • Deuteronomy 31:27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?
  • Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments,(which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

“instruction” Hebrew H4148 · used in 50 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:2 And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
  • Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
  • Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

“taught” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
  • Proverbs 5:13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!