Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’ New Living Translation I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ English Standard Version I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ Berean Standard Bible I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ King James Bible Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. New King James Version Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ New American Standard Bible “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ NASB 1995 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ NASB 1977 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Legacy Standard Bible And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not give heed.’ Amplified Bible “I have set watchmen (prophets) over you, Saying, ‘Listen and pay attention to the [warning] sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Christian Standard Bible I appointed watchmen over you and said, “Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.” But they protested, “We won’t listen! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible I appointed watchmen over you and said: Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn. But they protested, “We won’t listen!” American Standard Version And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. Contemporary English Version I also sent prophets to warn you of danger, but when they sounded the alarm, you paid no attention. English Revised Version And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. GOD'S WORD® Translation I posted watchmen over you. Pay attention to the sound of the ram's horn. But you said that you wouldn't pay attention. Good News Translation Then the LORD appointed sentries to listen for the trumpet's warning. But they said, "We will not listen." International Standard Version I appointed watchmen over you. Listen for the sound of the trumpet. But they said, 'We won't listen!' NET Bible The LORD said, "I appointed prophets as watchmen to warn you, saying: 'Pay attention to the warning sound of the trumpet!'" But they said, "We will not pay attention!" New Heart English Bible "I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet.'" But they said, "We will not listen." Webster's Bible Translation Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ World English Bible I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I have raised up watchmen for you, "" Attend to the voice of the horn. And they say, We do not attend. Young's Literal Translation And I have raised up for you watchmen, Attend ye to the voice of the trumpet. And they say, 'We do not attend.' Smith's Literal Translation And I set up watchers over you, Attend ye to the voice of the trumpet And they will say, We will not attend. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I appointed watchmen over you, saying: Hearken ye to the sound of the trumpet. And they said: We will not hearken. Catholic Public Domain Version And I appointed watchers over you, saying: ‘Listen for the sound of the trumpet.’ And they said: ‘We will not listen.’ New American Bible I raised up watchmen for them: “Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not pay attention!” New Revised Standard Version Also I raised up sentinels for you: “Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!” But they said, “We will not give heed.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAlso I set watchmen over you, so that you might hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But you said, We will not hearken. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I set Watchmen for you, that you may hear the sound of a trumpet, and you were saying, ‘We are not listening!’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And I set watchmen over you: 'Attend to the sound of the horn', But they said: 'We will not attend.' Brenton Septuagint Translation I have set watchmen over you, saying, Hear ye the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hear it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem's Final Warning…16This 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!’ 17I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ 18Therefore hear, O nations, and learn, O congregations, what will happen to them.… Cross References Ezekiel 3:17 “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. Isaiah 21:6 For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. Isaiah 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. Hosea 9:8 The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God! Ezekiel 33:7 As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. Isaiah 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, Habakkuk 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. 2 Kings 17:13 Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” Amos 3:6-7 If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it? / Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Isaiah 30:9-11 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!” Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Acts 7:51-52 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. Treasury of Scripture Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not listen. I. Jeremiah 25:4 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. Isaiah 21:11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? Isaiah 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. hearken. Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Hosea 8:1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. Amos 3:6-8 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? … we. Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Jump to Previous Appointed Attend Attention Give Hearken Heed Horn Raised Sound Trumpet Voice WatchmenJump to Next Appointed Attend Attention Give Hearken Heed Horn Raised Sound Trumpet Voice WatchmenJeremiah 6 1. The enemies sent against Judah,4. encourage themselves. 6. God sets them on work because of their sins. 9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins. 18. He proclaims God's wrath. 26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins. I appointed watchmen over you In the context of ancient Israel, watchmen were individuals tasked with keeping vigil over a city, alerting its inhabitants of impending danger. Spiritually, these watchmen symbolize prophets and leaders appointed by God to guide and warn His people. Jeremiah, as a prophet, served as a watchman, delivering God's messages to Judah. This role is echoed in Ezekiel 3:17, where God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel. The appointment of watchmen underscores God's desire to protect and guide His people, emphasizing His proactive involvement in their spiritual welfare. and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry was marked by a call to repentance and a forewarning of impending disaster due to the people's disobedience. 2. Watchmen In ancient times, watchmen were stationed on city walls to alert the inhabitants of approaching danger. Spiritually, they represent prophets or leaders appointed by God to warn His people. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent idolatry and rebellion against God. 4. Trumpet A shofar or horn used in biblical times to signal important events, such as the call to battle or a warning of danger. It symbolizes the urgent call to heed God's warnings. 5. Rebellion The people's refusal to listen to God's appointed watchmen, representing a broader theme of disobedience and spiritual deafness. Teaching Points The Role of Spiritual WatchmenGod appoints leaders and prophets to guide and warn His people. We must recognize and respect their role in our spiritual lives. The Importance of Listening Spiritual deafness leads to destruction. We must cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to God's warnings and guidance. Consequences of Rebellion Ignoring God's warnings has serious consequences. Reflect on areas of life where you may be resisting God's voice. Urgency of the Message The trumpet signifies urgency. We should treat God's messages with the seriousness and immediacy they deserve. Personal Reflection and Repentance Regularly examine your life for areas of disobedience and be quick to repent and realign with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 6:17?2. How can we heed the "watchmen" God has placed in our lives today? 3. What does Jeremiah 6:17 teach about listening to God's warnings? 4. How does Jeremiah 6:17 connect with Ezekiel 33:7 about watchmen's roles? 5. Why is it crucial to respond to God's call in Jeremiah 6:17? 6. How can we apply the message of Jeremiah 6:17 in our daily walk? 7. What does Jeremiah 6:17 reveal about God's expectations for obedience and listening to His warnings? 8. How does Jeremiah 6:17 challenge our understanding of divine judgment and human responsibility? 9. Why did the people refuse to listen to the watchmen in Jeremiah 6:17? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6? 11. What are the core beliefs and practices of Judaism? 12. How can Jeremiah 6:1 claim impending doom on Jerusalem without historical evidence of such a massive catastrophe at that specific time? 13. If Isaiah 27:13 predicts a grand return of exiles, why are there no extra-biblical accounts confirming a major regathering at that specific time? 14. How did Joshua lead the Israelites into the Promised Land? What Does Jeremiah 6:17 Mean I appointed watchmen over you- God Himself places faithful servants—prophets, priests, and today’s shepherd-leaders (Ezekiel 3:17; Isaiah 62:6; Acts 20:28)—to stand guard over His people. - Their calling is protective and preventative, sounding alarms before danger arrives, much like the literal watchmen on Jerusalem’s walls who scanned the horizon day and night. - These watchmen speak God’s word, not their own. Because Scripture is wholly true (2 Timothy 3:16), ignoring them is never merely rejecting human advice; it is rejecting the Lord who sent them (1 Samuel 8:7; Luke 10:16). - The placement of watchmen underscores God’s mercy: judgment is never sprung without warning (Amos 3:7). and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ - The ram’s horn, or shofar, marked urgent moments—war alerts (Numbers 10:9), sacred assemblies (Leviticus 23:24), and calls to repentance (Joel 2:1). - Here the horn represents the clear, unmistakable voice of God breaking through daily noise. When the shofar blasts, delay is fatal; obedience must be immediate (Hebrews 3:15). - The picture foreshadows greater trumpet calls: • Christ’s return announced “with the trumpet call of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). • Final judgments signaled by trumpet blasts in Revelation 8–11. - By commanding “Listen,” the Lord links hearing and doing (James 1:22). His people are expected not only to recognize the alarm but to respond with faith and action. But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ - Judah’s answer reveals deliberate rebellion, not mere misunderstanding. They heard, evaluated, and chose defiance (Jeremiah 6:19; Zechariah 7:11–12). - This response repeats a tragic pattern: • At Sinai the people vowed obedience yet soon rebelled (Exodus 24:7 vs. 32:1–4). • In the wilderness they “hardened their hearts” and forfeited rest (Hebrews 3:7–11). • Stephen accused his hearers of the same stiff-necked resistance (Acts 7:51). - Consequences followed: Babylon’s siege, exile, and temple destruction fulfilled exactly what the watchmen predicted (Jeremiah 25:8–11). - Refusal to listen is never neutral; it secures judgment that could have been avoided (Proverbs 1:24–31). summary God graciously posts watchmen, sends out the piercing blast of His word, and waits for willing hearts. Jeremiah 6:17 captures the entire cycle: divine warning, clear instruction, and human choice. Judah chose deafness and paid dearly. The passage urges every generation to heed God’s appointed messengers, recognize the urgency of His trumpet, and respond in obedient faith while there is still time. (17) Watchmen.--i.e., the sentinels of the army, as in 1Samuel 14:16, giving the signal in this case, not for advance but for retreat (comp. Jeremiah 6:1, and Amos 3:6). The watchmen are, of course (as in Isaiah 52:8; Isaiah 56:10; Ezekiel 3:17; Habakkuk 2:1), the prophets blowing the trumpet of alarm, proclaiming, as in Jeremiah 6:1, the nearness of the invader, and calling on them to flee from the wrath of Jehovah. They call, however, in vain. The people refuse to hearken. . . . Verse 17. - Also I set; rather, and I kept raising up (the frequentative perfect). Watchmen; i.e. prophets (Ezekiel 3:17, and part of Isaiah 52:8; Isaiah 56:10). Hearken, etc. probably the words of Jehovah. Standing on their high watch-tower (Habakkuk 2:1), the prophets scrutinize the horizon for the first appearance of danger, and give warning of it by (metaphorically) blowing a trumpet (so Amos 3:6).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I appointedוַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י (wa·hă·qi·mō·ṯî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand watchmen צֹפִ֔ים (ṣō·p̄îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await over you [and said], עֲלֵיכֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against ‘Listen הַקְשִׁ֖יבוּ (haq·šî·ḇū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7181: To prick up the ears, hearken for the sound לְק֣וֹל (lə·qō·wl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6963: A voice, sound of the ram’s horn.’ שׁוֹפָ֑ר (šō·w·p̄ār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn But they answered, וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘We will not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no listen!’ נַקְשִֽׁיב׃ (naq·šîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 7181: To prick up the ears, hearken Links Jeremiah 6:17 NIVJeremiah 6:17 NLT Jeremiah 6:17 ESV Jeremiah 6:17 NASB Jeremiah 6:17 KJV Jeremiah 6:17 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 6:17 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 6:17 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 6:17 French Bible Jeremiah 6:17 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:17 I set watchmen over you saying Listen (Jer.) |
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