Jeremiah 6:17
15 Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.
16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’
18 Therefore hear, O nations, and learn, O congregations, what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’
- KJV
- Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
- WEB
- I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’
- ASV
- And I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken.
- DARBY
- Also I have set watchmen over you: Hearken ye to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
- BLB
- And I set over you⁺ watchmen: ‘Listen to the voice of the shofar!’ And they said, ‘We will not listen.’
- ÅB
- Og jeg satte vektere over dere og sa: Gi akt på basunens lyd! Men de sa: Vi vil ikke gi akt.
- OTB
- Jeg satte vektere over dere og sa, ‘Lytt til lyden av trompeten!’ Men dere sa, ‘Vi nekter å lytte.’
- B1930
- Og jeg satte vektere over eder og sa: Gi akt på basunens lyd! Men de sa: Vi vil ikke gi akt.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Jeremiah 25:4
And the LORD has sent all His servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or inclined your ear to hear.
Read in contextIsaiah 58:1
“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
Read in contextIsaiah 21:11
This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
Read in contextZechariah 7:11
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing.
Read in contextHabakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.
Read in contextIsaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
Read in contextEzekiel 3:17–21
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
Read in contextActs 20:27–31
For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
Read in context