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

Jeremiah 17:19 is a direct divine command to the prophet Jeremiah from the Lord. He is instructed to take a prominent public stance, specifically at the main gate where common people and, significantly, the kings of Judah enter and exit Jerusalem. Furthermore, this message is to be proclaimed at all the city gates. This emphasizes the gravity and universal reach of the message that follows (vv. 21-27), concerning the proper observance of the Sabbath, underscoring its importance to all inhabitants and their leadership.

Jeremiah 17 19 Context

Jeremiah 17:19 introduces a distinct message within the broader chapter. Chapters 17 begins with a stark portrayal of Judah's indelible sin (vv. 1-4) and a curse on those who trust in human power rather than God (vv. 5-8), followed by the revelation of the deceitfulness of the human heart (vv. 9-11) and a call to trust in the Lord (vv. 12-18). Verse 19 shifts abruptly to a specific command regarding Sabbath observance. This Sabbath instruction (vv. 19-27) functions as a crucial test of Judah's covenant loyalty. Historically, during Jeremiah's time, the people of Judah, including their kings, often disregarded the Sabbath, engaging in commerce and daily activities, a clear violation of God's covenant with Israel established at Sinai. The command to Jeremiah highlights that covenant fidelity, exemplified by Sabbath keeping, was essential for the survival and prosperity of Jerusalem and the Davidic monarchy, standing as a critical condition for God's blessings. The city gates, where Jeremiah was to deliver this message, were central to public life, commerce, and justice, making them the most significant venues for such a prophetic declaration.

Jeremiah 17 19 Word analysis

• Thus said the Lord (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, Koh amar YHWH):
  • Thus said: A powerful prophetic formula, signaling that the words are not Jeremiah's but a direct revelation from YHWH, the covenant-making God of Israel, imbuing the message with ultimate authority and demanding attention.
  • the Lord: Refers to YHWH, God's personal and sacred name, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel and His divine right to command.
• to me: Indicates Jeremiah's personal and direct commission as God's chosen messenger for this specific task.
• Go and stand (לֵךְ וְעָמַדְתָּ, Lekh ve-amadta): A direct and imperative command, requiring active obedience. It signifies taking a public, visible, and unwavering posture, prepared to deliver God's word regardless of the reaction.
• in the gate (בַּשַּׁעַר, ba-sha'ar): Sha'ar refers not just to an entrance, but a city's central hub for civic, economic, judicial, and social activity. It's the most public place where the city's pulse was felt, ensuring maximum visibility and audience for the prophetic message.
• of the children of the people (בְּנֵי הָעָם, bney ha`am): Designates a gate primarily used by the common citizens or the general populace. This shows that the message is for all people, not just the elite.
• whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out:
  • kings of Judah (מַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה, malkhey Yehudah): Highlights that the message specifically targets and implicates the highest authorities, who bear significant responsibility for upholding God's law and setting a national example. Their public movements symbolize their actions and influence over the nation's spiritual state.
  • come in, and... go out: Refers to their public entrances and exits, ensuring their personal exposure to Jeremiah's proclamation and emphasizing that the leadership's conduct, especially regarding the Sabbath, profoundly impacts the entire nation.
• and in all the gates of Jerusalem: Extends the scope of the proclamation from specific significant gates to every entrance of the city. This signifies that the message about Sabbath observance is not restricted to a select few or specific areas, but is a comprehensive and urgent decree for the entire city, affecting every aspect of Jerusalem's life.

Jeremiah 17 19 Bonus section

The specific choice of "the gate of the children of the people" alongside the "kings of Judah" emphasizes a dual responsibility. The common people needed to obey the Sabbath, but the kings had a greater leadership responsibility to ensure its observance, providing a righteous example. The very act of carrying "burdens" through the gates on the Sabbath, mentioned in the subsequent verses (17:21), illustrates the tangible ways the covenant was being violated. These were not just ceremonial acts but everyday economic activities that desecrated the day of rest and devotion to God. This command serves as a powerful reminder that God's covenant with His people impacted every sphere of life, from the individual to national leadership, and that adherence to its foundational principles, like the Sabbath, was inextricably linked to their blessings or curses.

Jeremiah 17 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:19 sets the stage for one of Jeremiah's most crucial and direct pronouncements. By instructing the prophet to position himself at Jerusalem's busiest gates—where both the general populace and the royalty pass—God ensured the widest possible audience for His impending message on Sabbath holiness. This location was symbolic; the gates represented the nerve center of public life, commerce, and legal proceedings. A proclamation there, especially before the kings, highlighted that Sabbath observance was not merely a private religious matter but a fundamental civic and national requirement, crucial for the city's welfare and the monarchy's continuity. The Lord's command underscores the severity of their disregard for His covenant, making it plain that their physical, social, and spiritual well-being hinged directly on their faithfulness to His laws, specifically the sign of the Sabbath. This divine intervention served as a last-ditch effort to recall Judah to covenant fidelity before inevitable judgment.