Jeremiah 17 21

Jeremiah 17:21 kjv

Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 17:21 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 17:21 niv

This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 17:21 esv

Thus says the LORD: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 17:21 nlt

This is what the LORD says: Listen to my warning! Stop carrying on your trade at Jerusalem's gates on the Sabbath day.

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 21 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:21 conveys a direct and emphatic command from the LORD to the people of Judah to meticulously observe the Sabbath day. Specifically, it prohibits the carrying of commercial goods or burdens from their homes on the Sabbath and likewise forbids bringing any such items into the city through the gates of Jerusalem. This injunction underscores the sacredness of the Sabbath as a day of cessation from ordinary labor and trade, linking its observance directly to their national well-being and covenant faithfulness.

Jeremiah 17 21 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 opens by vividly portraying Judah's ingrained sin, describing it as carved into their hearts and altar horns, underscoring their deep-seated rebellion (v. 1-4). The chapter then pivots to a stark contrast: a curse upon those who trust in human strength and rely on flesh (v. 5-6), versus a blessing for those who trust solely in the LORD (v. 7-8). This is followed by the profound declaration of the heart's deceitfulness (v. 9-10). Amidst the prophet's personal lament and plea for vindication (v. 14-18), the passage in question (v. 19-27) introduces a critical and central prophetic message: God's specific instructions regarding the observance of the Sabbath day. This discourse functions as a conditional covenant reminder, presenting a clear choice to Judah with promises of blessings (an enduring dynasty for Jerusalem, v. 25-26) for obedience, and dire warnings of destruction by fire (v. 27) for continued defiance. Historically, Jeremiah ministered during the declining years of the Kingdom of Judah, before and during the Babylonian exile. During this period, disregard for God's laws, including the Sabbath, was rampant, reflecting the nation's spiritual apostasy and reliance on their own efforts rather than God's providence. The "gates of Jerusalem" were bustling centers of commerce and public life, where trade frequently disregarded the sanctity of the Sabbath.

Jeremiah 17 21 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD: (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - koh amar Yahweh). This formula conveys absolute divine authority and command. It emphasizes that the subsequent words are not Jeremiah's human wisdom or opinion, but a direct revelation from God Himself, demanding immediate and serious attention. Its presence elevates the importance and seriousness of the message.
• Take heed: (הִשָּׁמְרוּ - hishshameru). A plural imperative, meaning "be on guard," "watch yourselves," or "beware." It’s an urgent call for personal and collective caution, indicating a significant and potentially perilous matter that requires utmost attention.
• to yourselves; (בְּנַפְשׁוֹתֵיכֶם - bə-nap̄šôṯêḵem). Literally "in your souls" or "for the sake of your lives." This powerfully links Sabbath observance to their very existence and spiritual well-being. It implies that disobedience threatens their physical and spiritual survival, elevating the command beyond a mere ceremonial law to a life-and-death issue.
• do not carry: (וְאַל תִּשְׂאוּ - wə'al tiss'u). A strong prohibitive command. "Do not lift up, do not bear." It specifically forbids the action of moving things that signify labor or commerce.
• a burden: (מַשָּׂא - massāʼ). Refers to a load, a pack, goods, or merchandise. In this context, it primarily means anything transported for business, trade, or routine daily work. It directly addresses commercial activity and any form of work that involves transporting materials.
• out of your houses: (מִבָּתֵּיכֶם - mi-battêḵem). This indicates that the prohibition applies to actions starting from one's private dwelling, implying individual responsibility and the pervasiveness of the prohibited activity in daily life, even before reaching public spaces.
• on the Sabbath day, (בְּיוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת - bə-yōm haššabbāṯ). Yom haššabbat (day of the Sabbath) specifies the sacred time for the prohibition. The root shavat means "to cease" or "to rest," indicating a holy cessation from usual activities to honor God's completed creation and His redemptive work.
• nor bring anything in: (וְהֵבֵאתֶם - wəhēvēʾṯem - but understood with an implicit or omitted "not"). The literal Masoretic text wəhēvēʾṯem means "and you shall bring in." However, given the preceding prohibition and the unanimous translation in ancient versions (LXX, Syriac, Vulgate) and modern Bibles, an implicit or omitted negation "not" is understood here, making it a parallel prohibition: "nor shall you bring in" anything. This reinforces the comprehensive ban on Sabbath commerce in both directions.
• by the gates of Jerusalem; (בְּשַׁעֲרֵי יְרוּשָׁלָיִם - bəšaʿărê Yərûšālayim). The city gates were the primary points of entry, exit, and commercial activity in ancient cities, serving as markets, legal forums, and social hubs. By specifying Jerusalem's gates, the command highlights the public, commercial, and societal dimension of their Sabbath breaking. It’s a call to sanctify the very pulse of the city's life.

• "Take heed to yourselves; do not carry a burden": This phrase links personal, spiritual welfare ("your lives") directly to practical, observable actions of refraining from labor on the Sabbath. It’s a reminder that their physical existence and communal identity were intrinsically tied to their obedience to God's commandments.
• "on the Sabbath day, nor bring anything in by the gates of Jerusalem": This emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the prohibition – affecting both private homes and public commerce, encompassing both leaving and entering the city, and pinpointing the exact sacred time ("Sabbath day") for this rest. It targets the economic practices that threatened to nullify the holiness of God's chosen day and place.

Jeremiah 17 21 Bonus section

The command in Jer 17:21 reflects the unique role of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exo 31:13), differentiating them from other nations. Their willingness to set aside normal labor and commerce demonstrated their reliance on God's provision rather than their own ceaseless toil. The specific mention of "the gates of Jerusalem" highlights the public and communal nature of this sin. It wasn't just individual household disregard but a systemic failure within the capital, influencing the entire nation's spiritual health. The strong contrast in Jer 17:24-27 between blessings and curses for Sabbath observance directly mirrors the foundational blessings and curses of Deuteronomy, solidifying the Sabbath's central place in their national identity and survival. For believers today, while the Mosaic legalistic demands of the Sabbath find their fulfillment in Christ, the principle of setting aside time for worship, rest, and communion with God remains vital, symbolizing trust in His sovereignty and provision over constant human striving.

Jeremiah 17 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:21 is a pivotal warning delivered to Judah, positioning Sabbath observance as a benchmark of their covenant faithfulness and a determinant of their national destiny. The instruction, introduced with the powerful "Thus says the LORD," asserts divine authority, indicating that this is not a suggestion but a critical commandment. The phrase "Take heed to yourselves" underscores the profound gravity, suggesting their very existence and spiritual life are at stake. By specifically forbidding the carrying of "burdens" (i.e., merchandise) from their homes or through Jerusalem's gates, God targets the pervasive commercialism that desecrated the Sabbath. This was a clear polemic against their prioritization of economic gain over divine decree. Obedience promised flourishing (v. 25-26), while disobedience invited utter destruction (v. 27). This particularity provided a tangible way for the people to demonstrate whether they trusted God for provision and truly held His day as sacred, or if they were captive to worldly systems and pursuits.

• Practical Usage Example: Imagine a merchant in ancient Jerusalem weighing profit on the Sabbath, choosing commerce over rest. Jeremiah's warning states that this seemingly small act had immense national consequences, challenging the false comfort that individual gain would not affect the larger covenant with God.