Jeremiah 26 18

Jeremiah 26:18 kjv

Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

Jeremiah 26:18 nkjv

"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins, And the mountain of the temple Like the bare hills of the forest." '

Jeremiah 26:18 niv

"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: "?'Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.'

Jeremiah 26:18 esv

"Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and said to all the people of Judah: 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "'Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.'

Jeremiah 26:18 nlt

They said, "Remember when Micah of Moresheth prophesied during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. He told the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says:
Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field;
Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins!
A thicket will grow on the heights
where the Temple now stands.'

Jeremiah 26 verses

Jeremiah 26 18 Meaning

This verse signifies the prophetic pronouncement of Jeremiah concerning the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Babylonians. It echoes a prophecy previously delivered by Micah. It emphasizes that what is happening is not arbitrary but a fulfillment of God's word through His prophets.

Jeremiah 26 18 Context

Jeremiah 26 is set during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, a time marked by rampant idolatry and a departure from God's covenant. The chapter opens with a pivotal moment: Jeremiah stands in the courtyard of the Temple and delivers a message of impending doom, declaring that Jerusalem will become like Shiloh, a desolate place where the Tabernacle once stood but was later destroyed. This prophecy enrages the priests, prophets, and the people. They seize Jeremiah, intending to put him to death, accusing him of blasphemy. However, certain elders intervene, reminding them of the precedent set by the prophet Micah in the days of King Hezekiah. They point out that when Micah delivered a similar prophecy, Hezekiah humbled himself, and the LORD relented. They argue for a trial, not an immediate execution, emphasizing that history shows God's judgment can be averted by repentance. This verse specifically states that the elders brought this historical example into the deliberation regarding Jeremiah's fate.

Jeremiah 26 18 Word analysis

• "Then stood Jeremiah": This highlights the active, public, and brave stance Jeremiah took to deliver God's severe message. It's a word of assertion.

• "in the court of the LORD’s house": This is a place of worship and divine presence. Delivering judgment here amplifies the severity and the irony of the people’s unfaithfulness within God’s dwelling.

• "and said unto all the cities of Judah": Not just Jerusalem, but the prophetic message had implications for all the towns in Judah, indicating a widespread apostasy.

• "which come to worship in the house of the LORD": These were individuals who presented themselves for worship, yet their hearts were far from God, highlighting their hypocrisy.

• "all the words that I am commanded to speak unto them": This underscores that Jeremiah was merely a messenger, relaying God's exact words, not his own opinion. It stresses divine authority.

• "leaving nought unsaid": This phrase emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of Jeremiah’s prophecy. No part of the divine message was held back.

• "that Jeremiah had made unto all the people": This refers back to the earlier prophecies that had already been spoken, setting the stage for the current confrontation.

• "And the priests and the prophets said unto the princes and to all the people": This indicates the opposition Jeremiah faced from established religious and political figures who disagreed with his message.

• "This man is worthy of death": A direct accusation based on their interpretation of his prophecy as blasphemy or sedition.

• "for he hath prophesied against this city": The core of their charge was his pronouncement of judgment upon Jerusalem.

• "as ye have heard with your ears": They are appealing to what the people have witnessed and heard directly.

• "Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people": This is Jeremiah's defense and further explanation.

• "saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house, and against this city": He reiterates the divine origin of his mission and prophecy, defending his actions.

• "all the words that ye have heard": He confirms the message they heard is precisely what God commanded.

• "Amend your ways and your doings": The call to repentance and change, which is a consistent theme in prophetic ministries.

• "and obey the voice of the LORD your God": Obedience to God’s word as the key to averting judgment.

• "and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you": This refers to God’s conditional judgment, His willingness to withdraw punishment if His people turn from sin.

• "As for me, behold, I am in your hand": Jeremiah submits himself to their judgment, showing trust in God's ultimate protection.

• "do unto me as seemeth good and meet unto you": A profound surrender to God's will, placing his life in their hands, but acknowledging God’s sovereign authority.

• "But certainly know ye": A firm affirmation of the certainty of his divine commission.

• "that if ye put me to death": A direct confrontation of their threat.

• "ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves": A dire warning of the consequences of shedding the blood of God's messenger, implying severe divine retribution for injustice.

• "and upon this city": The sin would not only fall on those who killed him but on the entire city, linking corporate responsibility.

• "and upon the inhabitants thereof": Further emphasizes the pervasive consequence for the city and its people.

• "for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you": He ends with a powerful reaffirmation of his divine calling and authority.

• "to speak all these words in your ears": Repeating the completeness of his commission, leaving no room for doubt.

Jeremiah 26 18 Bonus section

The story highlights a tension between judgment and mercy within the prophetic tradition. It showcases how prophetic utterances were not meant to be static predictions but rather a dynamic divine interaction with humanity, involving a call to response. The historical example of Micah's prophecy being heeded by King Hezekiah (2 Kings 23:25-27), leading to God relenting, is a key example of this dynamic. The courage of Jeremiah, who faced death threats unflinchingly, is also evident. His ultimate vindication comes from God’s foreknowledge of his message, which they themselves had heard. This event serves as a powerful illustration of the prophetic office’s vital role in confronting societal and religious corruption, even at great personal risk.

Jeremiah 26 18 Commentary

Jeremiah 26:18 stands out in its articulation of how prophecy functioned in ancient Israel, not just as pronouncements of doom, but as catalysts for change and markers of spiritual integrity. The verse itself is the elders' argument that recalls Micah's prophecy (Jer 26:17-19). It establishes a precedent for receiving prophetic messages that denounce the status quo, particularly when those messages warn of impending judgment. The critical point here is that true prophets spoke God's unvarnished truth, and their pronouncements were authenticated by God's consistent call for repentance. The refusal to kill Jeremiah, based on Micah's example, highlights a moment where wisdom prevailed over rage, recognizing that the potential repentance of the people was a more significant concern than the immediate silencing of the messenger. This illustrates that even in times of severe divine pronouncement, God's mercy is available to those who respond with humility and obedience. The danger of putting a prophet to death, as warned by Jeremiah himself in verses 14-15, underscores the sacredness of God's spokesmen and the severe consequences for those who attack His authority by attacking His messengers.