Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

JEREMIAH 5:24KJV
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Jeremiah 5:24 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 5:24 mean?

Jeremiah 5:24 describes how the people of Judah do not truly honor or respect God in their hearts, even though He is the one who provides rain at the right times and ensures the harvest seasons. The verse points out their lack of gratitude and reverence for God’s ongoing care and provision in their daily lives.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah on behalf of God, highlighting their spiritual blindness and ingratitude. The verse emphasizes that God is the one who gives both the early and late rains (crucial for crops) and sets the proper timing for harvest, yet the people fail to recognize or respond to His goodness with proper fear or respect.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:24

  • "fear" (יָרֵא, yare’): This word means a deep respect, awe, or reverence, not just being afraid. Jeremiah is pointing out that the people lack this kind of heartfelt respect for God, even though He is their provider.
  • "former" (יוֹרֶה, yoreh) and "latter" (מַלְקוֹשׁ, malqosh) rain: These refer to the seasonal rains in Israel—early rains that start the growing season and late rains that mature the crops. Mentioning both shows God’s complete provision for their needs.
  • "appointed" (חֻקָּה, chuqqah) and "weeks" (שָׁבוּעַ, shavu’a): These words together refer to the set, established times for harvest, showing that God has ordered the agricultural cycle with care and precision.

Why Jeremiah 5:24 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God’s care is only spiritual; it highlights how He is involved in everyday, physical needs like weather and food.
  • Jeremiah 5:24 reveals that the people’s problem is not ignorance of God’s actions, but a lack of genuine inward response—they do not “say in their heart” to fear or honor Him.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing one reason for Judah’s coming judgment: their failure to recognize and respond to God’s faithful provision.

Where else these words appear

“former” Hebrew H3138 · used in 2 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

“latter” Hebrew H4456 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
  • Proverbs 16:15 In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
  • Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

“weeks” Hebrew H7620 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
  • Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

“rain” Hebrew H1653 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
  • Ezra 10:13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
  • Jeremiah 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.