Jeremiah26
New International Version
1Early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came from the Lord:
2“This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word.
3Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done.
4Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you,
5and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened),
6then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city a curse among all the nations of the earth.’”
7The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord.
8But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die!
9Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
10When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s house.
11Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!”
12Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard.
13Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you.
14As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.
15Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”
16Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”
17Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people,
18“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.’
19“Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did not Hezekiah fear the Lord and seek his favor? And did not the Lord relent, so that he did not bring the disaster he pronounced against them? We are about to bring a terrible disaster on ourselves!”
20(Now Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim was another man who prophesied in the name of the Lord; he prophesied the same things against this city and this land as Jeremiah did.
21When King Jehoiakim and all his officers and officials heard his words, the king was determined to put him to death. But Uriah heard of it and fled in fear to Egypt.
22King Jehoiakim, however, sent Elnathan son of Akbor to Egypt, along with some other men.
23They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people.)
24Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 26.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The destruction of the temple and city foretold. (1-6). Jeremiah's life is threatened. (7-15). He is defended by the elders. (16-24).
vv1-6
God's ambassadors must not seek to please men, or to save themselves from harm. See how God waits to be gracious. If they persisted in disobedience, it would ruin their city and temple. Can any thing else be expected? Those who will not be subject to the commands of God, make themselves subject to the curse of God.
vv7-15
The priests and prophets charged Jeremiah as deserving death, and bore false witness against him. The elders of Israel came to inquire into this matter. Jeremiah declares that the Lord sent him to prophesy thus. As long as ministers keep close to the word they have from God, they need not fear. And those are very unjust who complain of ministers for preaching of hell and damnation; for it is from a desire to bring them to heaven and salvation. Jeremiah warns them of their danger if they go on against him. All men may know, that to hurt, or put to death, or to show hatred to their faithful reprovers, will hasten and increase their own punishment.
vv16-24
When secure sinners are threatened with taking away the Spirit of God, and the kingdom of God, it is what is warranted from the word of God. Hezekiah who protected Micah, prospered. Did Jehoiakim, who slew Urijah, prosper? The examples of bad men, and the bad consequences of their sins, should deter from what is evil. Urijah was faithful in delivering his message, but faulty in leaving his work. And the Lord was pleased to permit him to lose his life, while Jeremiah was protected in danger. Those are safest who most simply trust in the Lord, whatever their outward circumstances may be; and that He has all men's hearts in his hands, encourages us to trust him in the way of duty. He will honour and recompense those who show kindness to such as are persecuted for his sake.
Key Words
רֵאשִׁית: the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
מַמְלָכוּת: {dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)}
יְהוֹיָקִים: Jehojakim, a Jewish king
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יֹאשִׁיָּה: Joshijah, the name of two Israelites
מֶלֶךְ: a king
יְהוּדָה: Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
זֶה: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
Cross References
Jeremiah 26Directly quoted by the elders of the land to defend Jeremiah against the death penalty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Direct parallel prediction of God destroying the Temple in Jerusalem just as He destroyed Shiloh.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical account of the fall of Shiloh and loss of the Ark referenced in the warning.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Micah the Morasthite, who prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Historical account of Hezekiah humbling himself, turning away God's wrath as the elders describe.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Verbal echo of Paul's determination to declare the whole counsel of God without diminishing a word.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elaborates on the principle of God 'repenting' of planned judgment if a nation turns from evil.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Mosaic law under which the priests falsely accused Jeremiah of deserving death.
Supported by JFB
Records Jotham's construction of the 'higher gate' of the Temple, called the 'new gate' here.
Supported by JFB
Christ's warning that shedding the blood of prophets brings national guilt and severe judgment.
Supported by JFB
New Testament parallel of Gamaliel using historical precedents to de-escalate a council wanting to execute apostles.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Ahikam the son of Shaphan as an influential official from Josiah's reform era.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Commandment to observe all God's words without adding to or diminishing them.
Supported by JFB
A parallel setting where Jeremiah was similarly commanded to stand and speak in the Temple gate.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB