· Translation: KJV

Jeremiah 35:13Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Go, and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words? says Yahweh.

The setting

Jerusalem, ~600 BC. God instructs Jeremiah to confront Judah's leadership with a living example of obedience. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.

The emotion here: frustrated love, like a parent watching their child make the same mistake repeatedly

The original word

tiqḥū (תִּקְחוּ) — to take hold of, grasp, receive instruction like catching something thrown to you

Why it matters

The Rechabites were descendants of Moses' father-in-law and lived as nomads for 300+ years

Read with care

What most readers miss in Jeremiah 35:13

This isn't just about listening—it's about RECEIVING instruction, actively catching and holding onto God's words

Common misconceptionPeople think God's frustrated tone means He's given up on us. Actually, His questions show He's still pursuing relationship and hoping for change.

Bible Genome reading

Jeremiah 35:13 — Bible Genome reading

EraDivided Kingdom
Primary emotiondeciding
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power20%
Quotability40%
Memorability40%
Crisis relevance60%
Standalone40%
Themes:obedienceinstruction

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Jeremiah 35

Jeremiah 35:13 comes from the book of Jeremiah, written during the Divided Kingdom period. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include obedience, instruction. Notable phrases: will you not receive instruction. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

What does Jeremiah 35:13 mean to you, today?

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