Jeremiah 17 19

Jeremiah 17:19 kjv

Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 17:19 nkjv

Thus the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 17:19 niv

This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand at the Gate of the People, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; stand also at all the other gates of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 17:19 esv

Thus said the LORD to me: "Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem,

Jeremiah 17:19 nlt

This is what the LORD said to me: "Go and stand in the gates of Jerusalem, first in the gate where the king goes in and out, and then in each of the other gates.

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 19 Meaning

This verse describes a command given by God to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Sabbath day. It instructs Jeremiah to go to the Gate of Benjamin, a significant entrance to Jerusalem, and proclaim a message to the people. This message is a direct warning from God about disobedience concerning the Sabbath, emphasizing that the ancestors also failed to listen. The ultimate consequence for ignoring this command, for themselves and their ancestors, is God's declaration of bringing a fire upon Judah that will not be quenched.

Jeremiah 17 19 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 unfolds God's judgment upon Judah, which stems from their deep-seated idolatry and sin, described as being written on their hearts (Jer. 17:1). The nation has turned away from God, relying on human strength and false gods. In this context, Jeremiah is instructed to go to the Benjamin Gate, a major thoroughfare in Jerusalem. This location signifies the public nature of the pronouncement. The people of Judah, despite enjoying God's protection and a covenant relationship, were in a state of spiritual rebellion. The mention of their ancestors links current disobedience to historical patterns of unfaithfulness, suggesting a generational sin. The warning of unquenchable fire is a stark image of utter and complete destruction, indicative of the severe judgment God would bring upon the city and the nation for their persistent disregard of His commands, including the sacredness of the Sabbath. This is not just a physical fire, but a divine judgment that will consume everything.

Jeremiah 17 19 Word Analysis

• And Jehovah: Hebrew: וַֽיהוָ֗ה (wa-Yahweh). Conjunction "and" (וַ, wa) connecting this command to previous directives. "Jehovah" (יהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and power in issuing the command.
• said unto me, Hebrew: אָמַ֥ר (ʾāmār) "said," "spake." Common verb indicating divine communication to the prophet.
• Thus: Hebrew: כֹּֽה (kō). An adverb of manner, "so," "thus," introducing the content of God's message.
• say, Hebrew: דַּבֵּ֧ר (dəḇḇēr). Imperative verb, "speak," "talk." Commanding Jeremiah to be God's vocal messenger.
• Go: Hebrew: לֵ֥ךְ (lēḵ). Imperative verb, "go," "walk." A directive to move to a specific location.
• yeHebrew: אֶל־ (ʾel-) "to," "toward." A preposition indicating the destination.
• the gate Hebrew: שַׁ֥עַר (šaʿar) "gate," "doorway." Specifically, the Gate of Benjamin, a significant public entrance to Jerusalem, implying the message was to be public.
• of Benjamin, A geographical reference to a major gate of the city. This gate was historically associated with Benjamin’s territory and led into the northern part of the city.
• and said, Hebrew: וְאָמַ֥ר (wəʾāmar). Conjunction "and" (וְ, wə) with "said."
• Hear: Hebrew: שִׁמְע֧וּ (šəmeʿū). Imperative verb, "hear," "listen," "obey." This is a crucial call to attention and compliance.
• ye Hebrew: דְּבַר־ (dəḇar-) "the word of."
• the LORD, Hebrew: יְהוָֽה (Yahweh). Another instance of God's covenant name.
• O Hebrew: מֶ֧לֶךְ (meleḵ) "king." Referring to the reigning monarch of Judah.
• king Hebrew: יְהוּדָֽה (yəhûḏâ) "Judah." The king of the Kingdom of Judah.
• of Judah, Indicating the current ruler, Zedekiah, who would hear this warning.
• and all Hebrew: וְכָל־ (wəḵāl-) "and all." Including the royal court and inhabitants.
• ye Hebrew: הַיּוֹשְׁבִים (hay·yō·šə·ḇîm) "you who dwell."
• that enter Hebrew: הַבָּאִים (hab·bā·ʾîm) "you who come." Those entering the city, representing the general populace.
• in Hebrew: בַּשַּׁ֥עַר (baš·ša·ʿar) "through this gate."
• at Hebrew: הַזֶּה (haz·zeh) "this."
• this: pointing to the Gate of Benjamin.
• Thus Hebrew: כֹּ֥ה (kō) "so," "thus." Introduces the specific message about the Sabbath.
• says Hebrew: אָמַ֥ר (ʾāmar) "says."
• the LORD: Hebrew: יְהוָֽה (Yahweh).
• of Hebrew: שְׂבָאֽוֹת (ṣə·ḇā·ō·ṯ) "hosts." Lord of Hosts, emphasizing His supreme power over all armies and creation.
• Hosts, God's title showing His omnipotence.
• Take Hebrew: שְׁמֹ֧ר (šəmōr) "keep," "guard," "observe." An imperative verb, central to the commandment of obeying.
• heed Hebrew: אֶת־ (ʾet-) Direct object marker.
• to yourselves, Hebrew: סָֽ֑וֶל (sā·we·lā) "a burden," "a weight," but in this context, "do not make it a burden" or "do not bear a heavy load upon yourselves," meaning don't treat the Sabbath as an unwanted obligation or opportunity for burdensome labor. It also carries the sense of preparing yourselves, or guarding yourselves, with the commandment itself. It means to guard your soul/life.
• and do Hebrew: וְלֹא־ (wə·lō) "and not."
• not Hebrew: תָּבִ֥יאוּ (ṯā·ḇî·ʾū) "bring in," "carry."
• carry Hebrew: מַשָּׂ֥א (maš·śā) "a burden," "a load."
• a burden: Indicating work or business activity.
• through Hebrew: בְּבַדְּתֵיכֶם׃ (bə·ḇa·ḏə·ṯê·ḵem). "in your gates." Referring to carrying loads through the city gates, particularly on the Sabbath.
• on Hebrew: בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yōm) "in the day."
• the Sabbath Hebrew: הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת (haš·šab·bāṯ). The Sabbath day, set apart for rest and holiness.
• day, Specifically the seventh day of the week, as commanded.
• but Hebrew: כִּ֣י (kî) "for," "but." Introducing a reason or contrasting statement.
• hallow Hebrew: קַדֵּ֥שׁוּ (qaddə·šû) "sanctify," "consecrate." To set apart as holy.
• ye Hebrew: אֶת־ (ʾet-) Direct object marker.
• the Sabbath Hebrew: יוֹם־ (yōm-) "the day."
• day, Reinforcing the object of sanctification.
• as Hebrew: כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka·ʾă·šēr) "as," "according to."
• I Hebrew: צִוִּ֤יתִי (ṣi·wi·ṯî) "I commanded." Referring to God's prior divine instruction.
• commanded Hebrew: אֶת־ (ʾet-) Direct object marker.
• your Hebrew: אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ (ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) "your fathers."
• fathers: Referencing the forefathers of Israel, to whom the Law, including the Sabbath, was originally given.

Jeremiah 17 19 Bonus Section

The prohibition against "carrying a burden through the gates" (Hebrew: בְּשַׁבָּתוֹ בִּשְׁעָרֶיהָ, bəšabbāṯô bišʿāreyhā) is a concrete illustration of how the abstract command to "do no work" on the Sabbath was to be understood in a city context. It points to commercial activity and the movement of goods, which were the lifeblood of any urban center. This specific instruction highlights God's concern for the practical application of His law and His desire for a genuine observance that sets the people apart. The phrase "Take heed to yourselves, and do not carry a burden" (Hebrew: שְׁמֹר אֶת־ נַפְשְׁכֶם וְאַל־ תָּבִ֥יאוּ מַשָּׂ֥א) can also be understood as a spiritual admonition, meaning to guard your own souls by obeying this commandment, rather than bringing a spiritual "burden" upon yourselves through disobedience, which would invoke divine wrath. The repetitive nature of the Sabbath violation by the people of Judah and their ancestors points to a deeper spiritual malaise – a heart that does not honor God’s holiness or remember their covenant commitment to Him.

Jeremiah 17 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:19 is a crucial call to religious observance within a context of deep national sin. God directs Jeremiah to go to the Benjamin Gate, a public place, to proclaim a warning specifically about the sanctity of the Sabbath day. The essence of the message is a prohibition against engaging in regular commerce or carrying loads through the city gates on the Sabbath. This action was seen as a desecration of the holy day, treating it as just another working day. God links this command to the example of their "fathers," implying that both the current generation and their ancestors had failed in this regard. The consequence is severe: "a fire upon Judah" that will not be quenched, signifying complete and unending destruction. This underscores the importance God places on remembering and keeping the Sabbath day holy, as a sign of their covenant relationship and obedience to Him. It serves as a final warning before impending judgment, urging them to honor God's appointed time of rest and worship.