Jeremiah26
New King James Version
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the Lord, saying,
2“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.
3Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.’
4And you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you,
5to heed the words of My servants the prophets whom I sent to you, both rising up early and sending them (but you have not heeded),
6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.” ’ ”
7So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord.
8Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You will surely die!
9Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant’?” And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
10When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of the Lord and sat down in the entry of the New Gate of the Lord’s house.
11And the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and all the people, saying, “This man deserves to die! For he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.”
12Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard.
13Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; then the Lord will relent concerning the doom that He has pronounced against you.
14As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.
15But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.”
16So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, “This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”
17Then certain of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:
18“Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple Like the bare hills of the forest.” ’
19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah ever put him to death? Did he not fear the Lord and seek the Lord’s favor? And the Lord relented concerning the doom which He had pronounced against them. But we are doing great evil against ourselves.”
20Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.
21And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid and fled, and went to Egypt.
22Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor, and other men who went with him to Egypt.
23And they brought Urijah from Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him 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