Jeremiah 11:3 You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

◄ Jeremiah 11:3 ►

New International Version
Tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant—

New Living Translation
Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who does not obey the terms of my covenant!

English Standard Version
You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant

Berean Standard Bible
You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

King James Bible
And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

New King James Version
and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant

New American Standard Bible
and say to them, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: “Cursed is the one who does not obey the words of this covenant

NASB 1995
and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant

NASB 1977
and say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant

Legacy Standard Bible
and say to them, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not hear the words of this covenant

Amplified Bible
Say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Cursed is the man who does not heed the words of this covenant

Christian Standard Bible
Tell them, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Let a curse be on the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must tell them: This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let a curse be on the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

American Standard Version
and say thou unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,

English Revised Version
and say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say to them, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is anyone who doesn't listen to the terms of this promise.

Good News Translation
that I, the LORD God of Israel, have placed a curse on everyone who does not obey the terms of this covenant.

International Standard Version
You are to say to them, 'This is what the LORD God of Israel says: "Cursed is the person who does not listen to the words of this covenant

Majority Standard Bible
You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

NET Bible
Tell them that the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'Anyone who does not keep the terms of the covenant will be under a curse.

New Heart English Bible
and say to them, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: "Cursed is the man who doesn't hear the words of this covenant,

Webster's Bible Translation
And say thou to them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,

World English Bible
and say to them, Yahweh, the God of Israel says: ‘Cursed is the man who doesn’t hear the words of this covenant,

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and you have said to them, Thus said YHWH God of Israel: Cursed [is] the man who does not obey the words of this covenant,

Young's Literal Translation
and thou hast said unto them, Thus said Jehovah God of Israel: Cursed is the man who doth not obey the words of this covenant,

Smith's Literal Translation
And say to them, Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel: Cursed the man who will not hear the words of this covenant,

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: Cursed is the man that shall not hearken to the words of yethis covenant,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Cursed is the man who will not listen to the words of this covenant,

New American Bible
and say to them: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be anyone who does not observe the words of this covenant,

New Revised Standard Version
You shall say to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be anyone who does not heed the words of this covenant,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you shall say to them. Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not obey the words of this covenant

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Say to them, ‘Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, God of Israel: “Cursed is the man that will not hear the words of this covenant

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and say thou unto them: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man that heareth not the words of this covenant,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou shalt say to them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Cursed is the man, who shall not hearken to the words of this covenant,

Audio Bible

Context

The Broken Covenant
…2“Listen to the words of this covenant and tell them to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. 3You must tell them that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant, 4which I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey Me, and do everything I command you, and you will be My people, and I will be your God.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 27:26
‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Galatians 3:10
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Deuteronomy 28:15
If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Leviticus 26:14-15
If, however, you fail to obey Me and to carry out all these commandments, / and if you reject My statutes, despise My ordinances, and neglect to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant,

Deuteronomy 11:26-28
See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse— / a blessing if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you today, / but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the LORD your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, / and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Hebrews 10:28-29
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Ezekiel 18:9
He follows My statutes and faithfully keeps My ordinances. That man is righteous; surely he will live, declares the Lord GOD.

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Isaiah 1:19-20
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Treasury of Scripture

And say you to them, Thus said the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeys not the words of this covenant,

Deuteronomy 27:26
Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 29:19,20
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: …

Jump to Previous

Agreement Covenant Cursed Ear Hear Heareth Heed Israel Obey Obeyeth Terms Words

Jump to Next

Agreement Covenant Cursed Ear Hear Heareth Heed Israel Obey Obeyeth Terms Words

Jeremiah 11

1. Jeremiah proclaims God's covenant;
8. rebukes the peoples' disobeying thereof;
11. prophesies evils to come upon them;
18. and upon the men of Anathoth, for conspiring to kill him.

Berean Study Bible

You are to say to them
This phrase indicates a direct command from God to the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the context of divine communication. This highlights the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Historically, prophets were seen as intermediaries between God and His people, tasked with delivering messages that were often challenging or corrective.

This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says
The phrase establishes the authority of the message. "LORD" is translated from "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God, underscoring His covenant relationship with Israel. "The God of Israel" reinforces this covenant identity, reminding the people of their unique relationship with God. This historical context is crucial, as it recalls the covenant made at Sinai, where Israel agreed to follow God's laws.

‘Cursed is the man
The word "cursed" comes from the Hebrew "אָרוּר" (arur), which implies being under divine judgment or disfavor. In the ancient Near Eastern context, blessings and curses were understood as powerful declarations that could shape one's destiny. This phrase serves as a stark warning, emphasizing the serious consequences of disobedience to God's covenant.

who does not obey
The Hebrew root for "obey" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear, listen, or give heed. In the biblical context, obedience is not just about hearing words but acting upon them. This reflects the biblical principle that true faith is demonstrated through actions. The historical context of Israel's repeated disobedience highlights the importance of this call to obedience.

the words of this covenant
The term "covenant" is translated from "בְּרִית" (berit), a binding agreement between two parties. In the Bible, covenants are central to God's relationship with humanity, particularly with Israel. The "words of this covenant" refer to the laws and commandments given by God, which were meant to guide Israel in righteousness and justice. This phrase reminds the reader of the Sinai covenant, where Israel pledged to follow God's laws in exchange for His protection and blessing.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) Cursed be the man . . .--The verse is, as it were, a mosaic, so to speak, of phrases, with slight verbal changes, from the recently discovered book of Deuteronomy--the "iron furnace" from Deuteronomy 4:20; 1Kings 8:51, "Hear my voice and do them" from Deuteronomy 28:1, "Ye shall be my people" from Deuteronomy 29:13. The "iron furnace" was, of course, Egypt, the "furnace of affliction," as in Isaiah 48:10, in which the people had endured sufferings of which that was the only adequate symbol. The word used denoted the "furnace" of the smelter, but the actual form of bondage through which the Israelites had passed, working in the brick-kiln furnaces (Exodus 1:14), had probably given a special force to the phrase. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Here begins a series of direct references to Deuteronomy, determining the date of the discourse. Cursed be the man, etc.; alluding to Deuteronomy 27:26 (which has, however, not "obeyeth," but "confirmeth," i.e. ratifieth as his own personal rule of conduct. The words of this covenant; rather, the words of this ordinance. The rendering "covenant," however, is not so much erroneous as unsuitable in this context; it is a secondary meaning of the Hebrew b'rith, the original sense being rather "authoritative appointment" (from barah, to cut, hence to decide). Nothing, perhaps, is so injurious to a correct understanding of the Scriptures as persistently rendering a Hebrew or Greek word by the same supposed equivalent. "Covenant" is no doubt appropriate in some passages (e.g. Joshua 9:6; 1 Samuel 18:3), because an "appointment" between men, if equals, involves "giving and taking;" but is inadequate when the parties are not equals, and most of all when the superior party is the Divine Being. In these cases we must clearly recur to the original meaning of" appointment" or "ordinance;" and we have one such case here (see also Hosea 6:7; 2 Kings 11:4; Job 31:1; Psalm 105:10; but not Genesis 17:9). Διαθήκη (1, an arrangement; 2, a will or testament; 3, a covenant) is to some extent parallel (see Cremer's 'Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek,' s.v.).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

You must tell them that
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

this is what
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

says:
אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Cursed [is]
אָר֣וּר (’ā·rūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 779: To execrate

the man
הָאִ֔ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who
אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

does not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

obey
יִשְׁמַ֔ע (yiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the words
דִּבְרֵ֖י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of this
הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

covenant,
הַבְּרִ֥ית (hab·bə·rîṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

Links

Jeremiah 11:3 NIV
Jeremiah 11:3 NLT
Jeremiah 11:3 ESV
Jeremiah 11:3 NASB
Jeremiah 11:3 KJV

Jeremiah 11:3 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 11:3 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 11:3 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 11:3 French Bible
Jeremiah 11:3 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 11:3 And say you to them Thus says (Jer.)