Jeremiah 17 25

Jeremiah 17:25 kjv

Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.

Jeremiah 17:25 nkjv

then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever.

Jeremiah 17:25 niv

then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever.

Jeremiah 17:25 esv

then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever.

Jeremiah 17:25 nlt

then kings and their officials will go in and out of these gates forever. There will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. Kings and their officials will always ride in and out among the people of Judah in chariots and on horses, and this city will remain forever.

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 25 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:25 presents a glorious vision of future restoration and prosperity for Jerusalem, directly linked to the people's obedience to God's Sabbath commandment. It describes an ideal state where kings and princes from David's lineage continually rule, triumphantly entering the city gates with their officials and all the people. This perpetual inhabitation signifies divine favor, security, and an enduring presence for Jerusalem, in stark contrast to the judgment threatened elsewhere. It is a promise of an uninterrupted, blessed Davidic dynasty and a flourishing capital.

Jeremiah 17 25 Context

Jeremiah 17:25 is part of an extended sermon delivered by the prophet Jeremiah at the gates of Jerusalem (17:19-27). This discourse directly addresses the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, particularly their religious leaders and royalty. Jeremiah’s ministry occurs during a critical period of Judah’s history, just before and during the Babylonian exile. The land is characterized by widespread apostasy, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to covenant laws.

The preceding verses (17:19-24) contain a direct command regarding the sanctity of the Sabbath day. Jeremiah is instructed by the Lord to warn the kings and the people not to carry burdens out of their houses or through Jerusalem's gates on the Sabbath. Keeping the Sabbath holy is presented as a crucial test of their obedience to the covenant.

Verse 25 is the conditional promise of blessings if the Sabbath is honored. It portrays a vibrant, royal, and eternally secure Jerusalem. In contrast, verse 27 immediately follows with a dire warning of consuming fire and desolation if the Sabbath command is rejected. Thus, this specific passage sets out a stark choice between profound blessings and catastrophic judgment, with Sabbath observance serving as a pivotal point of covenant faithfulness. This sermon speaks into a socio-religious environment where outward religious practices often masked inward rebellion, making the Sabbath observance a concrete measure of true dedication to God's law and a demonstration of trust in His provision rather than human toil.

Jeremiah 17 25 Word analysis

• Then: Indicates a consequential relationship. This glorious future is contingent upon the actions outlined in the preceding verse—namely, keeping the Sabbath holy.
• Kings and princes: (Hebrew: מְלָכִים וְשָׂרִים, m'lakhim v'sarim).
  • M'lakhim refers to kings, those with ultimate sovereign authority.
  • V'sarim refers to high officials, nobles, or military commanders, indicating an established royal court and governance.
  • Their presence symbolizes stable, legitimate rule and national honor.
• Who sit on David’s throne: (Hebrew: יֹשְׁבִים עַל כִּסֵּא דָוִד, yoshvim 'al kisse David).
  • This is a direct reference to the Davidic dynasty and God’s eternal covenant with David (2 Sam 7).
  • "Sitting on the throne" signifies continuous, legitimate, and successful reign.
• Will enter the gates of this city: Gates (שַׁעֲרֵי, sha'arey) were vital to ancient cities for commerce, defense, justice, and public assembly. Their entry implies:
  • Security: Unhindered passage suggests the city is secure from enemies.
  • Prosperity: Kings entering signify the city is a hub of power and authority.
  • Ceremony: A regal procession.
• Riding in chariots and on horses: (Hebrew: בָּרֶכֶב וּבַסּוּסִים, barechev u'b’sussim).
  • Chariots: Symbols of military might and regal pomp. In ancient times, a display of significant power and wealth.
  • Horses: Used for cavalry, travel, and prestige.
  • Their presence denotes a flourishing state, military strength, and the highest status, reflecting honor and peace, not war, in this context.
• They and their officials, and the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: This inclusive list indicates the universal scope of the blessing.
  • From the highest leadership ("they," referring to kings/princes and their officials) to all strata of society ("men of Judah" for the broader kingdom, "inhabitants of Jerusalem" for the capital).
  • It speaks of a unified, populous, and well-governed society enjoying the benefits.
• This city will then be inhabited forever: (Hebrew: וְהָעִיר הַזֹּאת תֵּשֵׁב לְעוֹלָם, v'ha'ir ha'zot teshev l'olam).
  • "Inhabited": Populated, settled, vibrant.
  • "Forever" (l'olam): Denotes perpetuity and an enduring state. This contrasts sharply with the looming threat of desolation and exile due to their disobedience, making it a profound promise of divine protection and stability. It anticipates a continuous, unbroken presence of God’s people in Jerusalem under blessed rule.

Jeremiah 17 25 Bonus section

• The dual nature of the Davidic covenant is apparent here: unconditional regarding the lineage (a son will always be on the throne) but conditional regarding the specific king's prosperity and the immediate welfare of Jerusalem. While God guaranteed a Davidic successor, their temporal well-being and their city's state were dependent on obedience (compare with 2 Sam 7:12-16 and Ps 132:11-12).
• The "inhabited forever" aspect foreshadows the enduring nature of God's covenant people and their spiritual capital. While literal Jerusalem faced periods of desolation, the spiritual reality of God's kingdom and His presence with His people is eternal, pointing towards the Heavenly Jerusalem described in the New Testament.
• The emphasis on "entering the gates" highlights the public aspect of the covenant blessing. The entire populace, not just the elite, would witness and participate in this flourishing. This was a communal blessing that hinged on collective obedience.

Jeremiah 17 25 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:25 offers a breathtaking glimpse into the divinely purposed future of Judah and Jerusalem, contingent upon the observance of the Sabbath. Amidst Jeremiah’s prevailing messages of judgment and impending exile, this verse shines as a beacon of hope and a profound testament to God’s unwavering commitment to His covenant with David. It paints a picture of ultimate security and thriving national life: legitimate kings of David’s lineage continually ruling with power and prestige, celebrated within a perpetually populated Jerusalem.

This vision encompasses every stratum of society, from the royal family to common citizens, all sharing in the peace and stability. The imagery of kings riding in chariots and on horses is not merely descriptive; it symbolizes a fully restored nation enjoying sovereignty, peace, and recognition, in contrast to the current political vulnerability and idolatry. The core condition, the keeping of the Sabbath, underscores a fundamental principle: true national prosperity and divine favor flow from faithful obedience to God's covenant laws. The Sabbath was more than a day of rest; it was a visible sign of Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh and an act of trust in His provision over human striving. Failure to keep it indicated a deeper rejection of God’s authority and presence.

Ultimately, while the immediate fulfillment was conditional and partially realized in periods of restoration, the fullest, most eternal reality of kings sitting on David’s throne in a perpetually inhabited Jerusalem points towards the reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He, the "Son of David," established a spiritual kingdom with an eternal capital, the New Jerusalem, where His rule is unbroken and everlasting. The prophecy, therefore, holds both a historical and an eschatological significance, connecting temporal obedience to an eternal hope.