Jeremiah 5:21
New International Version
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:

New Living Translation
Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear.

English Standard Version
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not.

Berean Standard Bible
“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

King James Bible
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

New King James Version
‘Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:

New American Standard Bible
‘Now hear this, you foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.

NASB 1995
‘Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see; Who have ears but do not hear.

NASB 1977
‘Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes, but see not; Who have ears, but hear not.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘Now hear this, O people who are simpleminded fools and without a heart of wisdom, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.

Amplified Bible
‘Now hear this, O foolish people without heart, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.

Christian Standard Bible
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They have ears, but they don’t hear.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They have ears, but they don’t hear.

American Standard Version
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; that have eyes, and see not; that have ears, and hear not:

Contemporary English Version
You fools! Why don't you listen when I speak? Why can't you understand

English Revised Version
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hear this, you stupid and senseless people! You have eyes, but you cannot see. You have ears, but you cannot hear.

Good News Translation
Pay attention, you foolish and stupid people, who have eyes, but cannot see, and have ears, but cannot hear.

International Standard Version
Hear this, you foolish and stupid people: They have eyes, but don't see; they have ears, but don't hear.

Majority Standard Bible
?Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

NET Bible
Tell them: 'Hear this, you foolish people who have no understanding, who have eyes but do not discern, who have ears but do not perceive:

New Heart English Bible
'Hear now this, foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and do not see; who have ears, and do not hear:

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and see not; who have ears, and hear not:

World English Bible
‘Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes, and don’t see, who have ears, and don’t hear:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Now hear this, "" O people, foolish and without heart, "" They have eyes, and they do not see, "" They have ears, and they do not hear.

Young's Literal Translation
Hear ye, I pray you, this, O people, foolish and without heart, Eyes they have, and they see not, Ears they have, and they hear not.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear now this, O foolish people, and no heart; eyes to them and they will not see; and ears to them, and they will not hear:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear, O foolish people, and without understanding: who have eyes, and see not: and ears, and hear not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Listen, O foolish people who have no heart! You have eyes, but you do not see, and ears, but you do not hear.

New American Bible
Pay attention to this, you foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes and do not see, who have ears and do not hear.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do not hear.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hear now this, O foolish people who have no understanding, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Hear this, foolish people, that has no heart in it, who have eyes and they do not see, and they have ears and they are not hearing
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding, That have eyes, and see not, That have ears, and hear not:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hear ye now these things, O foolish and senseless people; who have eyes, and see not; and have ears, and hear not:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Proclaimed
20Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: 21“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. 22Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.…

Cross References
Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Ezekiel 12:2
“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.

Matthew 13:13-15
This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Mark 8:18
‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?

Acts 28:26-27
‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

Romans 11:8
as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”

Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...

Isaiah 42:18-20
Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! / Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD? / Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”

Isaiah 43:8
Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf.

Isaiah 44:18
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

John 12:39-40
For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: / “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

2 Corinthians 3:14-15
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. / And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


Treasury of Scripture

Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:

O foolish.

Jeremiah 5:4
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.

Jeremiah 4:22
For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

Jeremiah 8:7
Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

understanding.

Proverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

Hosea 7:11
Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Jump to Previous
Ear Ears Eyes Foolish Hear Hearing Heart Heartless Power Sense Senseless Understanding
Jump to Next
Ear Ears Eyes Foolish Hear Hearing Heart Heartless Power Sense Senseless Understanding
Jeremiah 5
1. The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;
7. for their adultery;
10. for their impiety;
15. for their worship of idols;
19. for their contempt of God;
25. and for their great corruption in the civil state;
30. and ecclesiastical.














Hear this, O foolish and senseless people
This phrase is a direct call to the people of Judah, highlighting their spiritual and moral decline. The term "foolish" in biblical context often refers to those who reject God's wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). "Senseless" implies a lack of understanding or discernment, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature where the people are criticized for their inability to perceive God's truth (Isaiah 6:9-10). Historically, this period was marked by idolatry and social injustice, which prophets like Jeremiah were called to address. The call to "hear" is significant, as it emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:4).

who have eyes but do not see
This phrase draws on the imagery of physical sight to illustrate spiritual blindness. Despite having the ability to see, the people fail to recognize God's work and warnings. This concept is prevalent in the Bible, where seeing is often associated with understanding and insight (Matthew 13:13-15). The failure to see is not due to a lack of evidence but a willful ignorance and hardening of the heart. This blindness is a result of their persistent sin and rebellion against God, which has clouded their spiritual vision.

who have ears but do not hear
Similar to the previous phrase, this highlights the people's refusal to listen to God's message. Hearing, in biblical terms, often implies obedience and response (James 1:22). The people of Judah are compared to those who hear the words of the prophets but do not act on them, a theme that Jesus also addresses in His parables (Mark 4:9). This spiritual deafness is a judgment upon the people for their continued disobedience and is a call to repentance. The prophets consistently urged the people to return to God and heed His voice, emphasizing the consequences of ignoring divine instruction.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.

3. God
The sovereign Lord who speaks through Jeremiah, calling His people to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their spiritual blindness and deafness.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Awareness
Just as physical senses are vital for navigating the world, spiritual senses are crucial for understanding God's will. We must cultivate a sensitivity to God's voice and presence.

Consequences of Spiritual Blindness
Ignoring God's warnings leads to judgment. The people of Judah faced destruction because they refused to heed God's call to repentance.

Call to Repentance
God’s message through Jeremiah is a call to turn back to Him. Repentance is not just about feeling sorry but involves a change of heart and action.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah serve as God's mouthpiece, reminding us of His truth and calling us back to faithfulness. We should be attentive to the messages God sends through His Word and His messengers today.

Self-Examination
We must regularly examine our own spiritual condition. Are we truly listening to God, or are we spiritually blind and deaf?(21) Which have eyes, and see not.--An almost verbal reproduction from Isaiah 6:10.

Verse 21. - Without understanding; literally, without heart. This seems at first sight inconsistent with ver. 23, where the people is described as having indeed a "heart," but one hostile to Jehovah. The explanation is that a course of deliberate sin perverts a man's moral perceptions. The prophet first of all states the result, and then the cause. So in Ezekiel 12:2, "Which have eyes and see not," etc.; "for they are a rebellions house."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hear
שִׁמְעוּ־ (šim·‘ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

this,
זֹ֔את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

O foolish
סָכָ֖ל (sā·ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5530: A fool

and senseless
וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

people,
עַ֥ם (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who have eyes
עֵינַ֤יִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

but do not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see,
יִרְא֔וּ (yir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

who have ears
אָזְנַ֥יִם (’ā·zə·na·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

but do not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hear.
יִשְׁמָֽעוּ׃ (yiš·mā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently


Links
Jeremiah 5:21 NIV
Jeremiah 5:21 NLT
Jeremiah 5:21 ESV
Jeremiah 5:21 NASB
Jeremiah 5:21 KJV

Jeremiah 5:21 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 5:21 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 5:21 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 5:21 French Bible
Jeremiah 5:21 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this foolish people and without (Jer.)
Jeremiah 5:20
Top of Page
Top of Page