Definition: Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 2:4. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic opening to a passage about God's judgment and warning. Here’s a simple explanation: Basically, it means: “Hear now, people of Israel, and the whole nation of Jacob – that is, all the families of Jewish people – listen to what I say.” Let’s unpack it further: “Jeremiah 2” : This refers to a specific prophet named Jeremiah. He was a very important person in ancient Judah (part of modern-day Israel) who God chose to speak with them. “Hear ye the word of the LORD…” : This is a direct address – it's talking to us, the listeners. “Hear” means listen carefully and attentively. "The Word of the Lord" refers to God’s message or instruction. “…O house of Jacob…” : This is a poetic phrase that refers to the Jewish people as a whole. “Jacob” is a very significant name in Jewish history, and it's connected to figures like Isaac (Abraham's son) and Joseph. So, “house of Jacob” means all the descendants of this important line of leaders. “…and all the families of the house of Israel:” : This clarifies who "Jacob" refers to – the entire Jewish nation. It emphasizes that this is a message about everyone who belongs to the Jewish people. What’s happening next? This verse sets up a very serious situation. It's telling us that God is going to deliver a terrible punishment for Israel's sins and disobedience. It’s essentially saying, “You have messed up, and I will make it worse.” It’s the beginning of a story about judgment and consequences. In short: Jeremiah is warning the people of Israel to listen carefully to God’s message – that they need to change their ways before he brings about terrible results. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from this passage? Discuss a specific part of the meaning or context? Give you some background on the historical situation described in the verse?