Jeremiah 26 14

Jeremiah 26:14 kjv

As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.

Jeremiah 26:14 nkjv

As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.

Jeremiah 26:14 niv

As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right.

Jeremiah 26:14 esv

But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you.

Jeremiah 26:14 nlt

As for me, I am in your hands ? do with me as you think best.

Jeremiah 26 verses

Jeremiah 26 14 meaning

Jeremiah 26:14 conveys the prophet Jeremiah's complete and resolute submission to the will of the people (specifically the priests, false prophets, and elders) who sought his execution. Despite knowing his message was from the Lord, he publicly placed his life entirely in their hands, stating that he would accept whatever judgment they deemed "good and right," implicitly entrusting his fate to God's ultimate sovereignty even while facing human condemnation.

Jeremiah 26 14 Context

Jeremiah 26 is set early in the reign of King Jehoiakim (around 609-608 BC). Jeremiah, as commanded by the Lord, stood in the court of the Lord's house and delivered a prophetic message to all the people of Judah coming to worship. He warned them that if they did not repent from their evil ways and obey God's law, God would make the temple like Shiloh and make Jerusalem a curse among all nations. This message deeply angered the priests, prophets, and the people, who seized him and cried out, "You shall surely die!" Jeremiah then had to present his defense before the princes and the people. Verse 14 is a direct response to these accusations and the death threats against him, demonstrating his courageous stand and unwavering commitment to God's word despite personal peril. The historical setting is one of intense political and religious tension, with true prophecy often conflicting with popular sentiment and the agendas of those in power.

Jeremiah 26 14 Word analysis

• But as for me (וַאֲנִי, wa'ani): This phrase opens with a strong adversative conjunction, "but," highlighting a dramatic contrast between the angry, condemning crowd (vv. 8-9) and Jeremiah's individual stand. The pronoun "I" (אֲנִי, ani) is emphatic, signifying a deeply personal declaration, distinguishing him from the bloodthirsty accusers. It marks a moment of resolute self-identification against popular opposition.
• behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection designed to draw immediate attention. It introduces a solemn and weighty declaration, a public avowal that is not made lightly but demands notice from his audience. It emphasizes the profound nature of what he is about to say.
• I am in your hand (בְּיֶדְכֶם אֲנִי, b'yedkhem ani): The Hebrew preposition b'yedkhem means literally "in your hand." This phrase powerfully conveys absolute surrender and vulnerability. Jeremiah acknowledges the human authority and physical power they wield over him, placing his very life at their disposal. It echoes imagery of a prisoner at the mercy of captors or clay in the potter's hand, highlighting a total lack of resistance and reliance on the decisions of others.
• do with me (עֲשׂוּ לִי, asu li): An imperative verb "do" (עֲשׂוּ, asu) in the plural, directly addressing the collective decision-makers. "For me" (לִי, li) signifies the personal target of their actions. It is an expression of passive submission, not an endorsement of their right to kill him, but an acceptance of his immediate fate under their jurisdiction. He does not fight, flee, or defend himself further; he yields.
• as seems good (כַּטּוֹב, kattov): Literally "according to the good." Here, kattov reflects what is deemed "good" or desirable by them. This phrasing can carry an ironic or challenging nuance: if they are truly acting in accordance with what is "good" and just, then their judgment should reflect God's justice. Jeremiah implicitly forces them to weigh their actions against a standard of true goodness, not merely their arbitrary will.
• and right to you (וְכַיָּשָׁר, v'kayashar): Literally "and according to the straight/upright." Similar to "good," this refers to what they perceive as "right" or "just." It reinforces the idea that their decision will reveal whether they truly follow an upright path, as God expects of His people, or whether they succumb to their malicious impulses. It's a test of their conscience and moral integrity.

Jeremiah 26 14 Bonus section

Jeremiah's statement, "I am in your hand," resonates deeply with the covenant relationship where Israel was supposed to be in God's hand, formed as clay by the divine Potter (Jer 18:6). Here, the prophet, in embodying God's message, reverses the imagery by placing himself in the hands of the rebellious people. This highlights their spiritual confusion and their failure to grasp God's sovereignty. His non-resistance also fulfills part of his call in Jeremiah 1, where God fortified him against the people's opposition, effectively telling him, "Do not be afraid of their faces" (Jer 1:8). The subsequent events (Jer 26:16-19) where some elders stand up for him demonstrate God's protection and show that even within the corrupt leadership, a remnant of conscience remained, prompting them to listen and ultimately release him. Jeremiah's surrender was not an act of defeat but an act of powerful faith that God would ultimately control the outcome.

Jeremiah 26 14 Commentary

Jeremiah 26:14 encapsulates the pinnacle of prophetic courage, faith, and non-resistance. Faced with a death sentence, Jeremiah makes no further plea for his life or intricate self-defense. Instead, he surrenders himself entirely to his accusers, demonstrating a profound trust in God's ultimate control over life and death. His submission is not born of weakness or fear, but of an unshakeable conviction that he spoke God's truth. By placing his life "in their hand," Jeremiah ironically lays bare the moral choice before the rulers and the people: would they shed the blood of an innocent prophet speaking God's word, or would they act with genuine justice? This stance validated his message as divine, distinguishing him from self-serving false prophets who would appease the crowd. Jeremiah here acts as an obedient servant, mirroring Christ's later submission to human authorities for a divine purpose, embodying the principle that ultimate authority and justice rest with God, regardless of immediate human verdicts.

• Practical Examples:
  • A Christian employee choosing to speak truth to power in their workplace, even if it jeopardizes their career, trusting God with the outcome.
  • Missionaries in hostile territories, placing their lives in the hands of God's providence while delivering the Gospel, rather than resorting to self-preservation at all costs.
  • Facing false accusations, a believer may choose to refrain from retaliation, trusting God for vindication, much like Jeremiah, rather than seeking personal retribution.