Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 26
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 26
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 26
"In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from Jehovah, saying," — Jeremiah 26:1 (ASV)
Jeremiah 26 is a narrative of the danger to which Jeremiah was exposed because of the prophecy contained in Jeremiah 7, and it should be read in connection with it. Jeremiah 26:4–6 contains a summary of the prediction contained in Jeremiah 7, and that, in turn, is only an outline of what was a long address.
"Why hast thou prophesied in the name of Jehovah, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant? And all the people were gathered unto Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah." — Jeremiah 26:9 (ASV)
The charge against Jeremiah was that of prophesying falsely, for which the penalty was death (Deuteronomy 18:20). They assumed that it was absolutely impossible that Jerusalem ever could become like Shiloh.
Against Jeremiah — to Jeremiah. They regularly constituted themselves a congregation to take part in his trial.
"And when the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king`s house unto the house of Jehovah; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of Jehovah`s [house]." — Jeremiah 26:10 (ASV)
The princes of Judah - The priests could scourge a man and so forth, but could not then try him for his life, as the Sanhedrin subsequently did until the Romans deprived them of the power.
The new gate - That built by Jotham (2 Kings 15:35), and probably a usual place for trials.
"Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy of death; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears." — Jeremiah 26:11 (ASV)
This man is worthy to die — literally, A sentence of death is his, that is, is what he deserves.
"Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, Jehovah sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of Jehovah your God; and Jehovah will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. But as for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as is good and right in your eyes. Only know ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth Jehovah hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears." — Jeremiah 26:12-15 (ASV)
The answer of Jeremiah is simple and straightforward. Yahweh, he affirmed, had truly sent him, but the sole object of his prophesying had been to avert the evil by leading them to repentance. If they would amend their ways God would deliver them from the threatened doom. As for himself he was in their hands, but if they put him to death they would bring the guilt of shedding innocent blood upon themselves and upon the city.
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