Jeremiah 26 17

Jeremiah 26:17 kjv

Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,

Jeremiah 26:17 nkjv

Then certain of the elders of the land rose up and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:

Jeremiah 26:17 niv

Some of the elders of the land stepped forward and said to the entire assembly of people,

Jeremiah 26:17 esv

And certain of the elders of the land arose and spoke to all the assembled people, saying,

Jeremiah 26:17 nlt

Then some of the wise old men stood and spoke to all the people assembled there.

Jeremiah 26 verses

Jeremiah 26 17 Meaning

This verse records a pivotal moment where certain elders of the land recall how the people, guided by the prophet Micah of Moresheth, repented from their evil ways upon hearing his message. Their repentance averted the judgment that Jeremiah had prophesied.

Jeremiah 26 17 Context

Jeremiah 26 is set during the reign of King Jehoiakim in Judah, a time of great turmoil and impending Babylonian invasion. Jeremiah has just delivered a severe prophecy against Jerusalem and its temple, predicting their destruction similar to Shiloh (Jer 26:1-6). The priests, prophets, and people, upon hearing this, arrest Jeremiah, accusing him of blasphemy and deserving death (Jer 26:7-11).

In this specific verse (Jer 26:17), Jeremiah, speaking from his confinement or a subsequent trial before the officials, appeals to the precedent set by earlier prophets. He cites Micah, a prophet from Moresheth, who had delivered a similar message of destruction and judgment against Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah.

Jeremiah 26 17 Word Analysis

• And (וְ - ve): Conjunction connecting the preceding actions or statements.
• elders (זִקְנֵי - ziqenê): Refers to the older, more established, and influential men of the city, often holding positions of authority in council or judiciary.
• of the land (הָאָרֶץ - hā’āreṣ): Designates the people or inhabitants of Judah, emphasizing their connection to the land promised by God.
• the people (הָעָם - hā‘ām): Refers to the general populace of Jerusalem and Judah.
• said (דִּבְּרוּ - dibərû): Spoke, communicated.
• unto (אֶל - ’el): To, toward.
• the elders (זִקְנֵי - ziqenê): As above.
• of Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלִַם - Yərūšālaim): Specifically the capital city.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - lē’mōr): Introducing the content of their speech.
• Micah (מִיכָה - Mîḵāh): The name of the prophet Micah, whose name means "Who is like God?"
• the Moreshtite (הַמּוֹרַשְׁתִּי - hammōrašṯî): Identifies Micah's place of origin or association, Moresheth-Gath, in the lowland of Judah.
• prophesied (נִבָּא - nibā’): Spoke under divine inspiration, proclaimed God's message.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - lē’mōr): Introducing the content of his prophecy.
• Thus (כֹּה - kōh): In this way, like this.
• saith (אָמַר - ’āmar): Says, speaks.
• the LORD (יְהוָה - Yəhōwāh): The covenant name of God.
• of hosts (צְבָאוֹת - ṣəḇā’ōṯ): Adonai, the God of armies, signifying His sovereignty and power.
• If you will certainly obey (אִם־עָנֹ֤וַּ תַּעֲנֶה - ’im-‘anōw ‘ăna‘êh): If you will indeed listen/obey, emphatic conditional.
• my voice (קֹולִי - qōlî): God's spoken command or message.
• and do (וְעָשִׂיתֶם - wə‘āšiṯem): And carry out, perform.
• all (כָּל־ - kōl): The entirety.
• that (אֲשֶׁר - ’ăšer): Which, that which.
• I command (אֲצַוֶּה - ’ăṣawweh): I command, instruct.
• you (אֹתְכֶם - ’ōṯḵem): Plural masculine pronoun.
• then (וְהָיָה - wəhāyāh): And it will be, consequences.
• shall you be (תִהְיוּ - ṯiħyû): You will become.
• as stubble (כְּקָ֑שׁ - kəqāš): Like dry stalks, easily consumed or destroyed.
• before (לִפְנֵי - lifnê): In the presence of, facing.
• the enemy (הָאֹיֵב - hā’ōyêḇ): The opposing force.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Elders of the land: Represents the established leadership, those who would have heard Micah's prophecy and influenced public opinion or policy.
• Micah the Moreshtite prophesied: Identifies a specific prophetic figure and the nature of his message.
• "Thus saith the LORD of hosts...": This is a standard formula for prophetic pronouncements, establishing divine authority.
• "If you will certainly obey my voice, and do all that I command you, then shall you be as stubble before the enemy.": This is a conditional statement linking obedience to divine protection and disobedience to destruction, highlighting the stark consequences of either path. The imagery of "stubble" emphasizes utter vulnerability and destruction.

Jeremiah 26 17 Bonus Section

The effectiveness of national repentance in averting God's judgment is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, seen in instances like the response to Jonah's prophecy by Nineveh (Jonah 3:5-10). This verse implicitly challenges the rulers' assumption that Jerusalem and its temple are automatically inviolable, reminding them that covenant relationship with God requires obedience. Jeremiah's reference to Micah is not merely an academic point but a practical plea, showing that past repentance brought security, thus implying present repentance can do the same.

Jeremiah 26 17 Commentary

Jeremiah uses the case of Micah to demonstrate to the present authorities that repentance in the past averted God's judgment. This argument aims to persuade them that the same principle applies now. He is arguing for the effectiveness of national repentance as a means of deliverance from impending disaster, echoing the experience of King Hezekiah's time when Micah prophesied (Micah 3:12). This highlights a pattern in God's dealings with His people: judgment is threatened for disobedience, but sincere repentance can lead to mercy and salvation. Jeremiah's own life is on the line, making this historical argument a crucial defense of his prophetic ministry and God's justice.