Jeremiah 17 24

Jeremiah 17:24 kjv

And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

Jeremiah 17:24 nkjv

"And it shall be, if you heed Me carefully," says the LORD, "to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it,

Jeremiah 17:24 niv

But if you are careful to obey me, declares the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it,

Jeremiah 17:24 esv

"'But if you listen to me, declares the LORD, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it,

Jeremiah 17:24 nlt

"'But if you obey me, says the LORD, and do not carry on your trade at the gates or work on the Sabbath day, and if you keep it holy,

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 24 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:24 proclaims that diligent observance of God's commands, particularly on the Sabbath, brings stability and prosperity to Jerusalem. It states that if people are careful to not allow any work on the Sabbath, keeping it holy by refraining from their usual pursuits and pleasures, then the Davidic dynasty will continue to rule from Jerusalem, and the city will remain prosperous and inhabited.

Jeremiah 17 24 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 presents a stark contrast between those who trust in humans and those who trust in the Lord. Verse 24 serves as a conditional promise of security and continuity for Jerusalem and its Davidic kings, contingent upon their faithful observance of the Sabbath. This is set within the historical backdrop of Judah's impending Babylonian exile, a consequence of their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The prophecy aims to call the people to repentance by highlighting the blessings associated with obedience, particularly in regard to a fundamental command like the Sabbath. Jeremiah had been tasked by God to urge the people of Judah to obey His laws, including the Sabbath, to avert judgment. This particular promise links civic and dynastic stability directly to Sabbath observance.

Jeremiah 17 24 Word analysis

• Ki (כִּי): This is a common Hebrew conjunction, meaning "if," "that," "for," "when," or "because." Here, it introduces a conditional clause, emphasizing the "if" aspect of the promise.
• ya'al (יַעַל): Means "to be willing," "to consent," "to refrain," or "to permit." "Ki ye'alu lahem" literally means "if they willingly refrain for themselves." The emphasis is on intentional self-restraint.
• bahem (בָּהֶם): A plural suffix, meaning "in them" or "to them," referring to the people of Judah or the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
• reghel (רֶגֶל): Means "foot" or "leg." Here it functions metonymically for "steps" or "footing," implying habitual actions or journeys. "Shebu' reghel" implies a continuous, daily, or accustomed movement.
• shalosh (שָׁלֹשׁ): Means "three." This signifies "three times" or repeatedly throughout the week, emphasizing consistent activity. However, the primary emphasis of Sabbath was one day a week. The repetition implies refraining from ordinary work throughout the week, culminating in the holy observance of the Sabbath. Alternatively, some scholars suggest "three" might refer to "threefold duty" related to the Sabbath.
• 'et (עֵת): Means "time," "season," or "hour." "Kol 'et" means "all time" or "any time," emphasizing that this restriction on labor applies at all times, particularly to the Sabbath.
• chol (חֹל): Means "common," "profane," or "unholy." "Yom chol" refers to a common day, one not set apart as holy.
• la'asot (לַעֲשׂוֹת): Infinitive form of the verb "to do" or "to make." It refers to performing actions or engaging in activities.
• v'-'et (וְעֵת): Conjunction "and" with "time." Here, "V'-et khol mi-ya'abed bokhtseret" translates to "and even if anyone would drive a threshing wagon to it" or "and even if anyone would fulfill a work on it," referring to specific acts of labor. "Mi-ya'abed" is from 'avad (עָבַד), meaning "to work" or "to serve."
• 'od (עוֹד): Means "more," "again," or "yet." Here, "ve'od lo ya'avodu bo" means "and they shall not work anymore in it." This reinforces the cessation of work.
• mi-shib'ath ha'aretz (מִשִּׁבְעַת הָאָרֶץ): This phrase is more difficult to translate precisely as "seven of the land" or "seven the land." A common interpretation points to "all work" or "all toil," implying a comprehensive cessation. Some connect "seven" to the seven days of the week, implying a completeness of observance on the Sabbath day. Others propose it relates to distinct types of labor.
• mi-Yisrael (מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל): "From Israel." This identifies the recipients of the promise as the covenant people.
• 'em (אָם): Means "if," introducing a hypothetical situation.
• Shama' (שָׁמְעוּ): "Heard," the perfect form of the verb. Referring to obeying God's voice, implied through the act of listening and heeding.
• khol (כָּל): "All." The perfect form of the verb from the root KOL, signifying entirety.
• d'varai (דְּבָרַי): "My words," referring to God's commandments.
• Malkh-Y'hudi (מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדִי): "King of Judah." The succession of kings of Judah.
• sheb al Y'rushalayim (שֶׁב עַל־כִּסְאִי / יְרוּשָׁלַיִם): "Sitting on my throne" or "in Jerusalem." The phrase refers to the Davidic dynasty continuing to rule from the capital.
• yisha'vu (יִשְׁבוּ): "They shall dwell," or "they shall remain." Indicates continued inhabitation and stability.
• sarekotayhem (שַׁעֲרֵיהֶם): "Their gates," implying entry points to the city and its overall prosperity and security. This also extends to their chariots or vehicular traffic that would pass through the gates.
• ‘ad-’olam (עַד־עוֹלָם): "Forever." Indicates perpetuity and unending duration of the promised blessing.

Groups of words analysis:

• "if you will diligently heed my voice and keep all my commandments, if you will refrain from your accustomed activity on the Sabbath": This clause emphasizes both hearing God's word (obedience) and actively refraining from personal labor and pleasure on the Sabbath, setting a high standard for Sabbath observance.
• "not to do any work" and "not to let any load pass through their gates": These are specific prohibitions against ordinary labor and the movement of goods, reinforcing the concept of a day of rest and holiness for the entire community.
• "Then kings will enter through these gates... never to depart": This signifies unending continuity and stability for the Davidic dynasty and for Jerusalem, a profound promise of perpetual reign and security from invaders.
• "for the king who will sit upon my throne": This identifies the continuity specifically with the line of David, God's chosen royal lineage, highlighting the covenant promise made to David.

Jeremiah 17 24 Bonus section

The promise of unending dynasty and the perpetual inhabitation of Jerusalem is not a literal guarantee against all temporal hardship or conquest. Rather, it speaks to God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant, promising that the royal line and the city itself would continue to exist in significance, ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the true King and whose kingdom is eternal. The Sabbath, as Jesus clarified, was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). Therefore, the "rest" envisioned in Sabbath observance is fundamentally about ceasing from self-effort and relying on God's sustaining power, finding rest in Him. This understanding finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual rest available through faith in Christ, as elaborated in Hebrews 4. The historical nation of Israel, through disobedience, eventually lost its earthly kingdom and its capital was destroyed, demonstrating that such promises were conditional on persistent faithfulness. However, the promise is eternally true in Christ, who inherits David's throne and whose reign is everlasting.

Jeremiah 17 24 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:24 offers a powerful covenantal promise linked to the obedience of God's people, particularly regarding the Sabbath. It highlights that societal and dynastic stability is not inherently guaranteed but is a direct result of faithfulness to God's commands. The verse suggests that a true honoring of the Sabbath, marked by refraining from one's usual work and pleasures, brings a divine protection that secures the monarchy and the city of Jerusalem. This assurance of unending kingship from David's line and perpetual inhabitation of Jerusalem underscores the importance of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant relationship. It’s a promise that looks beyond immediate circumstances to the enduring favor of God upon His obedient people.