But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.

JEREMIAH 37:2KJV
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Jeremiah 37:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 37:2 mean?

Jeremiah 37:2 says that neither King Zedekiah, his officials, nor the people of Judah listened to the messages from the LORD that were given through the prophet Jeremiah. The verse highlights a widespread refusal to pay attention to God's warnings and guidance during a critical time.

Jeremiah 37:2 is set during the final years of Jerusalem before its fall to Babylon. The verse refers to King Zedekiah and those under his authority, showing that not just the king but all levels of society ignored the prophet's words. This sets the stage for the coming judgment and explains why Jeremiah's warnings went unheeded.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 37:2

  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shama‘, H8085) means to listen with the intent to obey. The verse stresses that the people did not just fail to hear Jeremiah—they refused to respond or act on what God was saying through him.
  • "Words" (דָּבָר, davar, H1697) refers to the specific messages or instructions from the LORD, emphasizing that these were not Jeremiah's own ideas but divine communication.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068) is the personal name of Israel’s God, underlining the authority behind Jeremiah’s message.
  • "Servants" (עֶבֶד, ‘eved, H5650) and "people" (עַם, ‘am, H5971) show that the rejection of God’s word was not limited to leaders but included all social groups.

Why Jeremiah 37:2 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the rejection of God’s word was a collective problem, not just a failure of leadership, which helps explain the severity of the coming consequences.
  • By naming Jeremiah as the prophet and messenger, the verse shows the seriousness of ignoring a message that clearly comes from God, not just from a human advisor.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme in Jeremiah of persistent disobedience, helping readers understand why judgment was coming and why Jeremiah’s ministry was so difficult.

Where else these words appear

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.