Definition: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 7:26. It's a really powerful and sobering message about the people of Judah during a time of great crisis. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that the people of Judah – and specifically their leaders – completely ignored what Jeremiah was telling them to do. They actively refused to listen, and they did things that were incredibly harmful and destructive. Let's unpack it further: “Jeremiah 7:26” : This is the key part – it’s a specific phrase from the book of Jeremiah, which was a prophetic message about the Israelites’ rebellion against God. "Yet they hearkened not unto me..." : This means they didn't listen to what Jeremiah said. They weren’t receptive to his warnings or guidance. "...nor inclined their ear..." : This shows that they didn’t even try to understand the message. They were closed off and unwilling to hear it. "...but hardened their neck..." : This is a really strong phrase – it means they became incredibly stubborn and resistant. Their resolve became inflexible, almost like they were trying to block out God's voice completely. "...they did worse than their fathers." This is the most impactful part. It’s saying that their actions were so terrible and destructive that they surpassed even the mistakes of their ancestors! They were actively choosing to harm God and disobey him, essentially repeating a pattern of rebellion. What does this mean in a nutshell? It means Judah was on a path of profound wrongdoing – they were rejecting God’s will and acting with malice and destruction. It pointed to a serious crisis of faith and rebellion. Why is this important? This verse is a warning about the dangers of ignoring God's voice and resisting His guidance. It reminds us that we must always listen to and follow God's instructions, even when it’s difficult. It highlights the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give more context about Jeremiah's message? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in a larger biblical story?