Jeremiah Chapter 26 — Jeremiah's Trial and Deliverance
Jeremiah is threatened with death after prophesying the Temple's destruction but is saved when the princes and elders recall historical precedents of prophecy.
1In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from the LORD:
2“The LORD says: ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Don’t omit a word.
3It may be they will listen, and every man turn from his evil way, that I may relent from the evil which I intend to do to them because of the evil of their doings.’ ”
4You shall tell them, “The LORD says: ‘If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law which I have set before you,
5to listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I send to you, even rising up early and sending them—but you have not listened—
6then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.’ ”
7The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the LORD’s house.
8When Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You shall surely die!
9Why have you prophesied in the LORD’s name, saying, ‘This house will be like Shiloh, and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant’?” All the people were crowded around Jeremiah in the LORD’s house.
10When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the LORD’s house; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’s house.
11Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and to all the people, saying, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.”
12Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and to all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.
13Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the LORD your God’s voice; then the LORD will relent from the evil that he has pronounced against you.
14But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes.
15Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for in truth the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”
16Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets: “This man is not worthy of death; for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”
17Then certain of the elders of the land rose up, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying,
18“Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies says:
19Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn’t he fear the LORD, and entreat the favor of the LORD, and the LORD relented of the disaster which he had pronounced against them? We would commit great evil against our own souls that way!”
20There was also a man who prophesied in the LORD’s name, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath Jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.
21When Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt.
22Then Jehoiakim the king sent Elnathan the son of Achbor and certain men with him into Egypt.
23They fetched Uriah out of Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
24But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they didn’t give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 26:13
“Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the LORD your God’s voice; then the LORD will relent from the evil that he has pronounced against you.”
This verse encapsulates Jeremiah's central plea for the people to change their behavior to avoid judgment.
Jeremiah 26:24
“But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they didn’t give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.”
This identifies the specific person whose influence saved Jeremiah from being executed by the angry crowd.
Chapter Summary
At the beginning of King Jehoiakim’s reign, God commands Jeremiah to stand in the Temple court and deliver a message of repentance to all the cities of Judah. Jeremiah warns that if the people do not turn from their evil ways and listen to the prophets, God will make the Temple like Shiloh and the city a curse to all nations. This message outrages the priests and prophets, who seize Jeremiah and demand his death. During a trial before the princes of Judah, Jeremiah maintains his divine commission and urges the leaders to amend their ways. Some of the elders defend him by citing the historical example of Micah the Morashtite, who prophesied destruction during King Hezekiah's reign but was not killed. The chapter also mentions the prophet Uriah, who was executed by Jehoiakim for a similar message, highlighting the danger Jeremiah faced. Ultimately, Ahikam the son of Shaphan protects Jeremiah, preventing the people from putting him to death.
Frequently Asked Questions
The priests and prophets were angered because Jeremiah prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed like Shiloh and that Jerusalem would become a curse. They viewed his words as blasphemous or treasonous against the city's religious and national identity.
Micah was a prophet from the time of King Hezekiah who also prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem. The elders in Jeremiah 26 cite his case as a legal precedent to explain why Jeremiah should not be executed for his words, as Hezekiah had listened to Micah rather than killing him.
Uriah was another prophet who spoke the same words as Jeremiah. Unlike Jeremiah, Uriah was hunted down by King Jehoiakim even after fleeing to Egypt; he was brought back and executed, illustrating the extreme peril facing prophets of that era.
Study Note
The reference to Shiloh in verse 6 points to the historical site where the Tabernacle once stood before it was destroyed, serving as a sobering reminder that God's presence does not guarantee the safety of a physical structure if the people are unfaithful.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.