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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/5-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/24_Jer_05_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 5:21 - Judgment Proclaimed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘Now hear this, you foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216Now hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes but do not see; Who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes, but see not; Who have ears, but hear not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘Now hear this, O people <i>who are</i> simpleminded fools and without a heart <i>of wisdom</i>, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘Now hear this, O foolish people without heart, Who have eyes but do not see, Who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hear this, you foolish and senseless people. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They have ears, but they don’t hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hear this, you foolish and senseless people. They have eyes, but they don&#8217t see. They have ears, but they don&#8217t hear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; that have eyes, and see not; that have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You fools! Why don't you listen when I speak? Why can't you understand <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Hear this, you stupid and senseless people! You have eyes, but you cannot see. You have ears, but you cannot hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Pay attention, you foolish and stupid people, who have eyes, but cannot see, and have ears, but cannot hear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear this, you foolish and stupid people: They have eyes, but don't see; they have ears, but don't hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />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: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />'Hear now this, foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and do not see; who have ears, and do not hear:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; who have eyes, and see not; who have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />‘Hear this now, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes, and don’t see, who have ears, and don’t hear: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hear, O foolish people, and without understanding: who have eyes, and see not: and ears, and hear not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Listen, O foolish people who have no heart! You have eyes, but you do not see, and ears, but you do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Pay attention to this, you foolish and senseless people, Who have eyes and do not see, who have ears and do not hear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do not hear.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Hear now this, O foolish people who have no understanding, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />“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<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding, That have eyes, and see not, That have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Hear ye now these things, O foolish and senseless people; who have eyes, and see not; and have ears, and hear not:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=1600" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Judgment Proclaimed</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Declare this in the house of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah: <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘ū- (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">“Hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: zōṯ (Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5530.htm" title="5530: sā·ḵāl (N-ms) -- A fool. From cakal; silly.">O foolish</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">and senseless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·na·yim (N-cd) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">who have eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: yir·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see,</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: ’ā·zə·na·yim (N-fd) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear.">who have ears</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: yiš·mā·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">hear.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Do 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-18.htm">Mark 8:18</a></span><br />‘Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?’ And do you not remember?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/28-26.htm">Acts 28:26-27</a></span><br />‘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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-4.htm">Deuteronomy 29:4</a></span><br />Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />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; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18-20</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-8.htm">Isaiah 43:8</a></span><br />Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind, and who have ears but are deaf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-39.htm">John 12:39-40</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14-15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:</p><p class="hdg">O foolish.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4</a></b></br> Therefore I said, Surely these <i>are</i> poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, <i>nor</i> the judgment of their God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></b></br> For my people <i>is</i> foolish, they have not known me; they <i>are</i> sottish children, and they have none understanding: they <i>are</i> wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="hdg">understanding.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-16.htm">Proverbs 17:16</a></b></br> Wherefore <i>is there</i> a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing <i>he hath</i> no heart <i>to it</i>?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Hosea 7:11</a></b></br> Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/2-4.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-2.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-21.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-21.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/romans/1-31.htm">Heartless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-6.htm">Power</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-11.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-4.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-23.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Heartless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-17.htm">Power</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-13.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Senseless</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-24.htm">Understanding</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">for their adultery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-10.htm">for their impiety;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-15.htm">for their worship of idols;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-19.htm">for their contempt of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-25.htm">and for their great corruption in the civil state;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/5-30.htm">and ecclesiastical.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Hear this, O foolish and senseless people</b><br>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 (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). "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 (<a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>). 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 (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>).<p><b>who have eyes but do not see</b><br>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 (<a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a>). 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.<p><b>who have ears but do not hear</b><br>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 (<a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22</a>). 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 (<a href="/mark/4-9.htm">Mark 4:9</a>). 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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who speaks through Jeremiah, calling His people to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their spiritual blindness and deafness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_awareness.htm">Spiritual Awareness</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_spiritual_blindness.htm">Consequences of Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>Ignoring God's warnings leads to judgment. The people of Judah faced destruction because they refused to heed God's call to repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>We must regularly examine our own spiritual condition. Are we truly listening to God, or are we spiritually blind and deaf?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/jeremiah_5_6__are_wild_animal_attacks_credible.htm">Jeremiah 5:6 - How is this threat of wild animals attacking people scientifically or historically credible, given the period's recorded encounters with such creatures?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_delay_judging_child_sacrifice.htm">Jeremiah 19:4-5 -- If God commands against child sacrifice elsewhere, why would He allow His own people to practice it for so long without immediate judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_molek_sacrifices.htm">Leviticus 18:21 forbids child sacrifice to Molek; is there historical or archaeological evidence confirming this practice at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/verify_historical_basis_of_jesus's_'true_vine'.htm">John 15:1-2: How can we verify, historically or otherwise, that Jesus's 'true vine' metaphor reflects anything beyond cultural symbolism and legend?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Which have eyes, and see not.</span>--An almost verbal reproduction from <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm" title="Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.">Isaiah 6:10</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Without understanding</span>; literally, <span class="accented">without</span> <span class="accented">heart</span>. 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 <a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a>, "Which have eyes and see not," etc.; "for they are a rebellions house." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Hear</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁמְעוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(šim·‘ū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this,</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹ֔את</span> <span class="translit">(zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">O foolish</span><br /><span class="heb">סָכָ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(sā·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5530.htm">Strong's 5530: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and senseless</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֣ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who have eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינַ֤יִם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">see,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְא֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yir·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who have ears</span><br /><span class="heb">אָזְנַ֥יִם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·zə·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_241.htm">Strong's 241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Broadness, the ear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hear.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמָֽעוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this foolish people and without (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 5:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>