Jeremiah26
New Living Translation
1This message came to Jeremiah from the Lord early in the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah.
2“This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard in front of the Temple of the Lord, and make an announcement to the people who have come there to worship from all over Judah. Give them my entire message; include every word.
3Perhaps they will listen and turn from their evil ways. Then I will change my mind about the disaster I am ready to pour out on them because of their sins.
4“Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: If you will not listen to me and obey my word I have given you,
5and if you will not listen to my servants, the prophets—for I sent them again and again to warn you, but you would not listen to them—
6then I will destroy this Temple as I destroyed Shiloh, the place where the Tabernacle was located. And I will make Jerusalem an object of cursing in every nation on earth.’”
7The priests, the prophets, and all the people listened to Jeremiah as he spoke in front of the Lord’s Temple.
8But when Jeremiah had finished his message, saying everything the Lord had told him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people at the Temple mobbed him. “Kill him!” they shouted.
9“What right do you have to prophesy in the Lord’s name that this Temple will be destroyed like Shiloh? What do you mean, saying that Jerusalem will be destroyed and left with no inhabitants?” And all the people threatened him as he stood in front of the Temple.
10When the officials of Judah heard what was happening, they rushed over from the palace and sat down at the New Gate of the Temple to hold court.
11The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “This man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”
12Then Jeremiah spoke to the officials and the people in his own defense. “The Lord sent me to prophesy against this Temple and this city,” he said. “The Lord gave me every word that I have spoken.
13But if you stop your sinning and begin to obey the Lord your God, he will change his mind about this disaster that he has announced against you.
14As for me, I am in your hands—do with me as you think best.
15But if you kill me, rest assured that you will be killing an innocent man! The responsibility for such a deed will lie on you, on this city, and on every person living in it. For it is absolutely true that the Lord sent me to speak every word you have heard.”
16Then the officials and the people said to the priests and prophets, “This man does not deserve the death sentence, for he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.”
17Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there.
18They said, “Remember when Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He told the people of Judah, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field; Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins! A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands.’
19But did King Hezekiah and the people kill him for saying this? No, they turned from their sins and worshiped the Lord. They begged him for mercy. Then the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had pronounced against them. So we are about to do ourselves great harm.”
20At this time Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim was also prophesying for the Lord. And he predicted the same terrible disaster against the city and nation as Jeremiah did.
21When King Jehoiakim and the army officers and officials heard what he was saying, the king sent someone to kill him. But Uriah heard about the plan and escaped in fear to Egypt.
22Then King Jehoiakim sent Elnathan son of Acbor to Egypt along with several other men to capture Uriah.
23They took him prisoner and brought him back to King Jehoiakim. The king then killed Uriah with a sword and had him buried in an unmarked grave.
24Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan stood up for Jeremiah and persuaded the court not to turn him over to the mob to be killed.
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