To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The surprising twist here is that Jeremiah isn't just saying people aren't listening; he's revealing that their "uncircumcised ear" signifies a deep, willful rejection, making God's very word an object of scorn they refuse to take pleasure in. This isn't about an inability to hear, but a proud refusal to engage with truth, a state so hardened they’ve essentially surrendered their capacity for spiritual understanding.
To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah feels utterly defeated as he questions whom he can even speak to, knowing the people's hearts are closed off to God's message. This follows God's command for Jeremiah to "glean" like a grape-harvester, looking for any remaining good in Israel, but finding none. The people's ears are metaphorically "uncircumcised," meaning they are unreceptive and view God's word with contempt, making any further prophetic effort seem futile.
Jeremiah feels like he's talking to a wall. Why is he so discouraged, and what does it reveal about the people he's trying to reach?
Jeremiah begins with a rhetorical question: "To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?" This isn't just a casual question; it's a cry of deep frustration.
A Fruitless Ministry
Jeremiah feels his prophetic calling is rendered useless. He's been sent by God to warn the people, to call them back to faithfulness, but his message isn't landing. It's like shouting into the wind. He knows God wants him to speak, but he's seeing no response, no change, no repentance.
Despair and Duty
This doesn't mean Jeremiah stops prophesying. Even in his despair, he continues to do his duty. His question highlights the immense difficulty of his task: how do you reach a people who are determined not to hear?
This mirrors the challenge we sometimes face when trying to share truth with those who are resistant. It can be disheartening, but the prophet's example reminds us that our calling is to speak the truth, regardless of the immediate reception.
The Bible talks about 'uncircumcised ears.' What does this strange metaphor actually mean for Israel, and why is it so serious?
The phrase 'uncircumcised is their ear' is a powerful metaphor. In the Old Testament, circumcision was a physical sign of belonging to God's covenant people. It symbolized a cutting away of the flesh, signifying dedication and obedience to God.
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A Spiritual Condition
An 'uncircumcised ear' means the ear is closed off to God's voice. It's not just about a physical inability to hear; it's a spiritual condition. Their ears are 'stopped up' by sin, making them unable or unwilling to truly listen to and obey God's word. They are like the deaf adder that stops its ear, refusing to be charmed.
Rejecting the Covenant
This spiritual deafness meant they were rejecting the very covenant they outwardly symbolized through physical circumcision. They had the sign but not the reality. They were spiritually hard-hearted and rebellious, treating God's clear messages as if they didn't exist.
This imagery speaks volumes about the importance of a willing heart in hearing God's truth. True hearing involves more than just processing sound; it requires spiritual openness and a desire to obey.
Israel didn't just ignore God's message; they actively despised it. What does this say about their relationship with the Lord?
The verse doesn't stop at their inability to hear; it explains why they couldn't hear and what their attitude was towards God's message.
A Reproach and Object of Scorn
'Behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.' This is a stark accusation. God's word, which contains His truth, His warnings, and His offers of salvation, was not seen as a precious gift but as something ridiculous and contemptible.
Rejecting the Source
When people scorn God's word, they are ultimately scorning God Himself. They find no delight, no beauty, no value in what He says. This attitude reveals a deep-seated rebellion and a preference for their own ways over God's commands.
The Joy of the Faithful
This stands in sharp contrast to those who truly belong to God. For them, His word is a source of joy, a treasure to be savored. Jeremiah himself found God's word to be the joy and rejoicing of his heart (Jeremiah 15:16). Israel's rejection of God's word meant they were cut off from this divine joy and relationship.
Understand the original words
arel · Hebrew Adjective
A heart or state that is resistant, closed, or spiritually insensitive to the word and will of God, lacking the covenant sign of dedication.
dabar · Hebrew Noun
The expressed communication or revelation of God's will, character, and truth to humanity; it is living, authoritative, and demands a response.
cherpah · Hebrew Noun
A feeling of contempt, mockery, or intense disdain, particularly regarding God’s truth, often resulting from a hardened heart.
Jeremiah's words in this verse arise from decades of prophetic warnings against Judah's persistent idolatry and injustice. The people's 'uncircumcised ears' represent a deep-seated spiritual deafness and a willful rejection of God's message, stemming from their hardened hearts and love for the world over God's truth.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event serves as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of disobedience.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports a group of Israelites, including nobles and skilled workers, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, are deported to Babylon following a revolt. King Jehoiachin is deposed and replaced by Zedekiah.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, scattering the remaining population into exile. This catastrophic event fulfills many of the prophecies of judgment.
c. 580 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Ministry
Jeremiah delivers his prophecies during the tumultuous final decades of Judah's existence, witnessing the nation's decline and eventual destruction. He confronts their hardened hearts and resistance to God's word.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder and Persian Conquest
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon. The subsequent decree allows exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
Stephen directly calls out his audience as having 'uncircumcised hearts and ears,' echoing Jeremiah's frustration with people who refuse to listen to God's message and actively resist His word.
Romans 2:28-29Paul contrasts outward circumcision with the inward reality of the heart, stating that true circumcision is of the spirit, not the flesh. This passage sheds light on Jeremiah's use of 'uncircumcised ear' to signify a spiritual deafness and lack of obedience, regardless of outward religious practice.
Isaiah 55:11This verse describes the power and effectiveness of God's word when it goes out, promising that it will accomplish its purpose. It serves as a powerful contrast to Jeremiah 6:10, highlighting how the people's 'uncircumcised ears' prevent God's word from doing its intended work in their lives.
Ezekiel 44:7Ezekiel speaks of the people bringing 'uncircumcised hearts and uncircumcised flesh' into the sanctuary, indicating a deep-seated spiritual impurity and disobedience. This resonates with Jeremiah's complaint that the people's spiritual state makes them unreceptive to God's message.
calvinJeremiah 6:10: "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it."
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Ad quem loquar? et quem contestabor ut audiant? Ecce incircumcisa…
pulpitJeremiah 6:10: "To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it."
Verse 10. - Their ear is uncircumcised; covered as it were with a foreskin, which prevents the prophetic message from finding admittance. Elsewhere it is the heart (Leviticus 26:41; Ezekiel 44:7), or the lips (Exodus 6:12) which are said to be "circumcised;" a passage in Stephe…
The surprising twist here is that Jeremiah isn't just saying people aren't listening; he's revealing that their "uncircumcised ear" signifies a deep, willful rejection, making God's very word an object of scorn they refuse to take pleasure in. This isn't about an inability to hear, but a proud refusal to engage with truth, a state so hardened they’ve essentially surrendered their capacity for spiritual understanding.
Jeremiah feels utterly defeated as he questions whom he can even speak to, knowing the people's hearts are closed off to God's message. This follows God's command for Jeremiah to "glean" like a grape-harvester, looking for any remaining good in Israel, but finding none. The people's ears are metaphorically "uncircumcised," meaning they are unreceptive and view God's word with contempt, making any further prophetic effort seem futile.
Jeremiah feels utterly defeated as he questions whom he can even speak to, knowing the people's hearts are closed off to God's message. This follows God's command for Jeremiah to "glean" like a grape-harvester, looking for any remaining good in Israel, but finding none. The people's ears are metaphorically "uncircumcised," meaning they are unreceptive and view God's word with contempt, making any further prophetic effort seem futile.
"To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it." — The surprising twist here is that Jeremiah isn't just saying people aren't listening; he's revealing that their "uncircumcised ear" signifies a deep, willful rejection, making God's very word an ob…
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Last reviewed October 2026