Jeremiah 17 27

Jeremiah 17:27 kjv

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Jeremiah 17:27 nkjv

"But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." ' "

Jeremiah 17:27 niv

But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.'?"

Jeremiah 17:27 esv

But if you do not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.'"

Jeremiah 17:27 nlt

"'But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.'"

Jeremiah 17 verses

Jeremiah 17 27 Meaning

Jeremiah 17:27 states that if the people of Jerusalem do not obey God's command to sanctify the Sabbath day, by not carrying burdens into the city on that holy day, God will set fire to its gates. This fire will consume Jerusalem's palaces and will not be extinguished. The verse pronounces judgment upon disobedience and a failure to honor God's commandment regarding the Sabbath.

Jeremiah 17 27 Context

Jeremiah chapter 17 portrays Judah's deep-seated sin, particularly their idolatry and persistent rebellion against God's covenant. The prophet Jeremiah is tasked with delivering a stark warning about the impending destruction of Jerusalem due to this unfaithfulness. Verse 27 is the culmination of a section (verses 19-27) specifically focused on Jerusalem. God instructs Jeremiah to warn the people and their rulers against violating the Sabbath by bringing burdens into the city. The command to keep the Sabbath holy was a sign of their covenant relationship with God and a recognition of His creative and redemptive work. The refusal to observe it signaled a rejection of God's authority and a return to self-reliance and worldly practices, ultimately inviting divine judgment. The historical context is that Jerusalem was facing potential siege and destruction by the Babylonian Empire, making the obedience of these commands a matter of critical importance for the city's preservation, according to the conditional promises made to Israel.

Jeremiah 17 27 Word Analysis

• "And it shall be, if you will not hearken unto Me, to sanctify the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden through the gates of your city on the sabbath day..."

  • "And it shall be": A common Hebrew idiom introducing a consequence or condition.
  • "if you will not hearken unto Me":
    • "hearken" (Hebrew: shama) - to hear, listen, obey. Emphasizes active listening and compliance, not just passive hearing. This word is crucial in covenant language, signifying adherence to God's commands.
    • "unto Me": Direct address from God, highlighting the personal nature of the commandment.
  • "to sanctify" (Hebrew: qadash) - to set apart, to make holy, to treat as sacred. It demands intentional reverence.
  • "the sabbath day" (Hebrew: yom haShabbat) - specifically refers to the divinely ordained day of rest.
  • "and not to bear a burden":
    • "burden" (Hebrew: masa) - implies any kind of labor or load, specifically work that profanes the holy day. The context suggests commercial or routine labor.
    • "bear" (Hebrew: nasa) - to carry, lift, or transport.
  • "through the gates of your city": Specifies the location of the transgression – conducting prohibited activities within the city limits on the Sabbath, thus disrespecting its sanctity.

• "...then will I kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched."

  • "then will I kindle a fire":
    • "kindle" (Hebrew: bawar) - to ignite, to cause to burn. A strong verb indicating the initiation of destruction.
  • "in its gates": The entry points to the city, symbolizing vulnerability and exposure.
  • "and it shall devour" (Hebrew: akhal) - to eat up, consume. A vivid metaphor for complete destruction.
  • "the palaces of Jerusalem": Refers to the most prominent and secure structures, indicating the totality of the judgment would affect the heart of the nation's power and wealth.
  • "and it shall not be quenched" (Hebrew: lo tichbeh) - indicates a final, unstoppable, and complete destruction. No remedy or extinguishing will be possible.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Sanctify the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden": This is the core of the commandment and its violation. It is about ceasing labor and treating the day as set apart for God.
  • "Kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces": This describes the consequence of disobedience. The fire symbolizes divine wrath and judgment, affecting the city's defenses, its leadership, and its entire infrastructure, signifying utter ruin.
  • "It shall not be quenched": Reinforces the severity and permanence of the judgment, leaving no hope for mitigation or recovery if this sin persists.

Jeremiah 17 27 Bonus Section

The principle of "sanctifying the Sabbath" extends beyond a mere rest from physical labor. It represents a cessation from activities that detract from the worship and acknowledgment of God. In both Old and New Testaments, Sabbath observance was intrinsically linked to God's redemptive work (Deut. 5:15, Exodus 31:13) and was a perpetual sign of the covenant. While the specific laws governing the Sabbath in the Old Testament were part of the Mosaic Law, the underlying principle of setting apart time for God continues in the Christian faith, often understood as the observance of the Lord's Day (Sunday), commemorating Christ's resurrection. Jesus himself addressed Sabbath controversies, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for man, and the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28), suggesting a fulfillment and reinterpretation of its meaning in Himself, centered on mercy and life rather than rigid legalism. The "fire not quenched" is a recurring motif of inescapable divine judgment for persistent sin and rebellion (Mark 9:43-48).

Jeremiah 17 27 Commentary

Jeremiah 17:27 presents a clear conditional prophecy of judgment for disobedience. The core of the message is about respecting the Sabbath as a day dedicated to God. Failure to "sanctify" this day by ceasing ordinary labor (symbolized by not "bearing a burden") incurs severe divine punishment. The consequence is not merely destruction but total, unquenchable ruin symbolized by fire consuming Jerusalem's "gates" and "palaces." This highlights that disrespecting God's ordained rest is a profound act of rebellion that touches the very foundations of a nation's relationship with Him and invites His most serious judgment. This verse underscores the importance of obedience to all of God's commands, particularly those that designate times and ways to honor Him.