Jeremiah 26:1-24

Jeremiah 26. Destruction of the Temple Foretold: Jeremiah’ s Peril (608 B.C.).— Jeremiah is told to proclaim in the Temple ( cf. Jeremiah 19:14; probably at some festival) a perilous message (“ keep not back a word” , Jeremiah 26:2), in the hope that it may produce a change ( Jeremiah 18:8). Unless the people obey Yahweh, He will destroy the Temple, like that of Shiloh ( Jeremiah 7:14) and make the city (an example of) a curse ( Jeremiah 29:22). The priests and prophets declare that Jeremiah must die for this blasphemy ( Deuteronomy 18:20); it is incredible to them that Yahweh can have given such a word as this ( Jeremiah 26:7-1 Samuel :). Accordingly, the case is referred to the secular authorities, who hear it in “ the new gate” . Jeremiah reasserts the Divine origin of his message, and warns them of their guilt, if they slay him. The princes and people acquit him on the ground of his sincerity ( Jeremiah 26:10-Nehemiah :). This decision is confirmed by the century-old precedent of Micah of Moresheth, who also announced the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple (“ the mountain of the house” , Jeremiah 26:18), a fate averted by the repentance of Hezekiah ( Jeremiah 26:17-Psalms :). The writer of this narrative has added ( Jeremiah 26:20-Isaiah :) an account of the similar charge brought against another prophet, Uriah of Kiriath-jearim (7 m. W. of Jerusalem), which issued, however, in his extradition from Egypt, his execution, and his exclusion from the family grave ( cf. 2 Kings 23:6). The closing reference to Ahikam ( Jeremiah 26:24) seems to refer back to an important influence contributory to Jeremiah’ s escape.

Jeremiah 26:4 . law: i.e., the oral teaching of the prophets; cf. Isaiah 1:10.

Jeremiah 26:8 . Omit “ and all the people” , since they are friendly in Jeremiah 26:11 ff.

Jeremiah 26:10 . the new gate: Jeremiah 36:10; perhaps that of 2 Kings 15:35; gates were usual courts of justice, cf. Thomson, p. 27.

Jeremiah 26:15 . innocent blood: Jonah 1:14, Deuteronomy 21:8, 2 Kings 21:16.

Jeremiah 26:18 . Hezekiah: 720– 693; this result of Micah’ s preaching is not otherwise known.

Jeremiah 26:22 . Elnathan: one of the princes, Jeremiah 36:12; Jeremiah 36:25.

Jeremiah 26:24 . Ahikam: 2 Kings 22:12 ff.; cf. Jeremiah 39:14; Jeremiah 40:5 f. for the friendship of his son Gedaliah with Jeremiah.