Jeremiah 17:20
and say: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah isn't just addressing one king, but potentially the whole royal family or ruling elite who held significant influence. God intends this message to reach everyone, from the highest powers to the ordinary citizens passing through the city gates, highlighting that no one is exempt from His word.
Jeremiah is commanded by God to stand at the gates of Jerusalem and deliver a message not just to the common people, but specifically to the kings and royalty of Judah, and indeed to all the inhabitants. This public pronouncement at the city's entry points emphasizes that the divine word applies equally to leaders and citizens alike, and sets the stage for a direct rebuke concerning their disregard for God's commands, particularly the observance of the Sabbath day. The verse highlights the urgency and broad scope of God's message, ensuring it reaches all levels of society within the capital.
Jeremiah is commanded to deliver a crucial message, not to a small group, but to a wide audience. Who does God address first, and why?
Jeremiah is sent to the gates of Jerusalem, a place of public assembly and official passage, to deliver God's word. He is explicitly told to address the 'kings of Judah,' followed by 'all Judah,' and then 'all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.'
Starting with the Top
Why begin with the kings? The commentaries suggest that leaders are held to a higher standard. They are expected to uphold God's law and repress wickedness. By addressing them first, Jeremiah underscores their responsibility and confronts their potential indifference. It's a powerful reminder that leadership carries accountability before God.
Broad Impact
Yet, the message isn't just for the elite. It extends to 'all Judah' and 'all the inhabitants.' This shows that God's word and commands are relevant to every single person, regardless of their social standing. The mention of 'those who enter by these gates' signifies that this word applies to everyone who participates in the life of the city, whether for trade, worship, or daily living.
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Jeremiah stands at the gates. What makes these specific locations so significant for delivering God's message?
The gates of Jerusalem were far more than mere entrances and exits. They were vital centers of city life:
Public Courts and Commerce
Historically, gates served as places for public judgment, business transactions, and social gatherings. People entered and exited through these gates daily, making them highly visible and significant locations. For Jeremiah to stand here and deliver God's word was to ensure his message would be seen and heard by many.
A Symbol of Access and Authority
By addressing those 'who enter in by these gates,' Jeremiah is speaking to everyone who participates in the community and its governance. The commentary notes that this includes those coming for trade or worship. It was a strategic choice to deliver a message that was meant to permeate the entire society, from the highest royalty to the common citizen, at the very heart of their public life.
Understand the original words
dabar · Hebrew Noun
The divine message, instruction, or creative power of God, representing His authority, will, and revelation to humanity.
Jeremiah's message about the Sabbath was delivered during a period of intense national crisis, as Jerusalem faced imminent destruction by Babylon. The call to observe the Sabbath, though seemingly a minor point, was a critical symbol of their covenant faithfulness in the face of widespread disobedience.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah Called as Prophet
Jeremiah is called by God to be a prophet, beginning a ministry that would span decades and witness the destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law and leads a religious revival, seeking to restore proper worship and adherence to God's commands.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo, a significant blow to Judah's stability and religious reforms.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and deports a group of exiles, including young Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
After a period of rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many more citizens to Babylon, further weakening Judah.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, its walls are broken down, and Solomon's Temple is destroyed. A final wave of exiles is taken to Babylon.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Jeremiah's Call to the Gates
Jeremiah is commanded to stand at the city gates, addressing the kings and the people about the profanation of the Sabbath and the impending judgment.
This passage directly states the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy, providing the foundational law that Jeremiah is calling them to remember and obey.
Nehemiah 13:15-22This passage shows a later generation of Israelites, particularly Nehemiah, confronting the same issue of Sabbath desecration through trade, highlighting the persistent struggle and divine importance of this command throughout Israel's history.
Isaiah 58:13-14This passage offers a divine promise of blessing and restoration for those who honor the Sabbath, directly contrasting with the judgment Jeremiah is pronouncing and showing the positive outcome of obedience.
Ezekiel 22:26This verse describes the priests and rulers profaning holy things and not distinguishing between the holy and the common, which reflects the deep-seated spiritual decay and disregard for God's commands evident in Jeremiah's message.
clarkeJeremiah 17:20: "And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:"
Ye kings of Judah, and all Judah - This last clause is wanting in eight of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS., in the Arabic, and some copies of the Septuagint.
calvinJeremiah 17:19-21: "Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;"
Sic dixit mihi Jehova, Vade et sta in porta filiorum populi; per quam ingrediuntur reges Jehudah, et per quam egrediuntur, (ad verbum, e qua egrediuntur in ipsa; sed vv est supervacuum,) et onmibus portis Jerusalem:
And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah,…
Jeremiah isn't just addressing one king, but potentially the whole royal family or ruling elite who held significant influence. God intends this message to reach everyone, from the highest powers to the ordinary citizens passing through the city gates, highlighting that no one is exempt from His word.
Jeremiah is commanded by God to stand at the gates of Jerusalem and deliver a message not just to the common people, but specifically to the kings and royalty of Judah, and indeed to all the inhabitants. This public pronouncement at the city's entry points emphasizes that the divine word applies equally to leaders and citizens alike, and sets the stage for a direct rebuke concerning their disregard for God's commands, particularly the observance of the Sabbath day. The verse highlights the urgency and broad scope of God's message, ensuring it reaches all levels of society within the capital.
Jeremiah is commanded by God to stand at the gates of Jerusalem and deliver a message not just to the common people, but specifically to the kings and royalty of Judah, and indeed to all the inhabitants. This public pronouncement at the city's entry points emphasizes that the divine word applies equally to leaders and citizens alike, and sets the stage for a direct rebuke concerning their disregard for God's commands, particularly the observance of the Sabbath day. The verse highlights the urgency and broad scope of God's message, ensuring it reaches all levels of society within the capital.
"and say: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates." — Jeremiah isn't just addressing one king, but potentially the whole royal family or ruling elite who held significant influence. God intends this message to reach everyone, from the highest powers to…
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