Old Testament
Jeremiah 25:4
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God expresses His frustration with the people of Judah for ignoring the messages delivered by His prophets.
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
The LORD sent all his servants the prophets to you, time after time, but you refused to listen or even pay attention.
And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God expresses His frustration with the people of Judah for ignoring the messages delivered by His prophets. Throughout their history, God has sent messengers to guide them, warn them, and call them back to righteousness. Despite these repeated efforts, the people have consistently chosen to disregard the warnings and teachings. The phrase 'rising early' indicates God's eagerness and commitment to reach out to them, emphasizing that He did not give up easily. This reflects God's desire for His people to listen and turn from their wrong ways. The refusal to listen signifies a hardened heart and a lack of willingness to change, which ultimately leads to dire consequences. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding divine guidance and the dangers of ignoring wise counsel. Explore related prayer.
Key themes
Related topics
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How to apply Jeremiah 25:4 to your life
We should be attentive to the guidance and warnings in our lives, whether they come from scripture, wise friends, or mentors. Ignoring sound advice can lead to negative consequences. It's important to cultivate a listening heart and be open to change.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 25:4 mean?
Jeremiah 25:4 conveys God's frustration with the people of Judah for ignoring the messages from His prophets. Despite God's persistent efforts to guide them, they chose not to listen, highlighting the consequences of rejecting divine guidance.
What is the significance of 'rising early' in Jeremiah 25:4?
The phrase 'rising early' in Jeremiah 25:4 signifies God's eagerness and commitment to reach out to His people. It emphasizes that God made repeated efforts to communicate His messages, showing His desire for them to heed His warnings.
How can we apply Jeremiah 25:4 to our lives today?
We can apply Jeremiah 25:4 by being attentive to guidance and warnings in our lives, whether from scripture or trusted individuals. Cultivating a listening heart helps us avoid the pitfalls of ignoring sound advice.

The Book of Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah
The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.
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