This verse calls everyone—regardless of station—to stop and pay attention to God’s pronouncement.
and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates:’ (v.20)
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is called to proclaim God’s message to everyone entering the gates of Jerusalem, including the rulers of Judah. It is a bold command where the LORD instructs Jeremiah to draw the attention of all who pass through, urging them to hear and heed His word. The setting is the city of Jerusalem, a pivotal place of worship for the people of Judah, located in the southern region of the ancient unified Israel. Historically, Jeremiah’s prophecies took place at the end of the 7th century BC and into the early 6th century BC, during the reign and eventual fall of the southern kingdom to Babylon. In the timeline of Judah’s kings, Jeremiah’s ministry spanned from King Josiah (640-609 BC) through the years that saw the eventual exile (2 Kings 25).
When Jeremiah proclaims, “Listen to the word of the LORD” (v.20), he underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, reminding the kingly house and common people alike of their accountability before the LORD. The gates of Jerusalem would have been a bustling site for commerce, travel, and royal decrees, thus making it an ideal location for the prophet’s proclamation. By calling on the “kings of Judah and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem,” Jeremiah emphasizes the universal nature of God’s warning—no one is exempt from listening to and following God’s directives. This idea of hearing God’s word and responding accordingly echoes throughout Scripture (James 1:22), underscoring the importance of both the covenant and obedience to God’s laws.
Jeremiah’s exhortation serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual accountability and obedience to God begin not only in the temple or among the priests but everywhere the people gather, including the entryways and pathways of everyday life. His message underscores a central biblical theme: God’s desire for genuine listening ears and hearts, from both rulers and common people, so that they might honor Him and enjoy His blessings or face the consequences for ignoring His will.
Set to dark mode
Jeremiah 17:20 meaning
and say to them, ‘Listen to the word of the LORD, kings of Judah, and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem who come in through these gates:’ (v.20)
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is called to proclaim God’s message to everyone entering the gates of Jerusalem, including the rulers of Judah. It is a bold command where the LORD instructs Jeremiah to draw the attention of all who pass through, urging them to hear and heed His word. The setting is the city of Jerusalem, a pivotal place of worship for the people of Judah, located in the southern region of the ancient unified Israel. Historically, Jeremiah’s prophecies took place at the end of the 7th century BC and into the early 6th century BC, during the reign and eventual fall of the southern kingdom to Babylon. In the timeline of Judah’s kings, Jeremiah’s ministry spanned from King Josiah (640-609 BC) through the years that saw the eventual exile (2 Kings 25).
When Jeremiah proclaims, “Listen to the word of the LORD” (v.20), he underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, reminding the kingly house and common people alike of their accountability before the LORD. The gates of Jerusalem would have been a bustling site for commerce, travel, and royal decrees, thus making it an ideal location for the prophet’s proclamation. By calling on the “kings of Judah and all Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem,” Jeremiah emphasizes the universal nature of God’s warning—no one is exempt from listening to and following God’s directives. This idea of hearing God’s word and responding accordingly echoes throughout Scripture (James 1:22), underscoring the importance of both the covenant and obedience to God’s laws.
Jeremiah’s exhortation serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual accountability and obedience to God begin not only in the temple or among the priests but everywhere the people gather, including the entryways and pathways of everyday life. His message underscores a central biblical theme: God’s desire for genuine listening ears and hearts, from both rulers and common people, so that they might honor Him and enjoy His blessings or face the consequences for ignoring His will.