Jeremiah 26

Jeremiah 26:1-24 . JEREMIAH DECLARED WORTHY OF DEATH, BUT BY THE INTERPOSITION OF AHIKAM SAVED; THE SIMILAR CASES OF MICAH AND URIJAH BEING ADDUCED IN THE PROPHET'S FAVOR.

The prophecies which gave the offense were those given in detail in the seventh, eighth, and ninth chapters (compare Jeremiah 26:6 here with Jeremiah 7:12 Jeremiah 7:14 ); and summarily referred to here [MAURER], probably pronounced at one of the great feasts (that of tabernacles, according to USSHER; for the inhabitants of "all the cities of Judah" are represented as present, Jeremiah 26:2 ).

2. in the court--the largest court, from which he could be heard by the whole people.
come to worship--Worship is vain without obedience ( 1 Samuel 15:21 1 Samuel 15:22 ).
all the words--( Ezekiel 3:10 ).
diminish not a word--( Deuteronomy 4:2 , 12:32 , Proverbs 30:6 , Acts 20:27 , 2 Corinthians 2:17 , 4:2 , Revelation 22:19 ). Not suppressing or softening aught for fear of giving offense; nor setting forth coldly and indirectly what can only by forcible statement do good.

3. if so be--expressed according to human conceptions; not as if God did not foreknow all contingencies, but to mark the obstinacy of the people and the difficulty of healing them; and to show His own goodness in making the offer which left them without excuse [CALVIN].

5. prophets--the inspired interpreters of the law ( Jeremiah 26:4 ), who adapted it to the use of the people.

8. priests--The captain (or prefect) of the temple had the power of apprehending offenders in the temple with the sanction of the priests.
prophets--the false prophets. The charge against Jeremiah was that of uttering falsehood in Jehovah's name, an act punishable with death ( Deuteronomy 18:20 ). His prophecy against the temple and city ( Jeremiah 26:11 ) might speciously be represented as contradicting God's own words ( Psalms 132:14 ). Compare the similar charge against Stephen ( Acts 6:13 Acts 6:14 ).

10. princes--members of the Council of State or Great Council, which took cognizance of such offenses.
heard--the clamor of the popular tumult.
came up--from the king's house to the temple, which stood higher than the palace.
sat--as judges, in the gate, the usual place of trying such cases.
new gate--originally built by Jotham ("the higher gate," 2 Kings 15:35 ) and now recently restored.

12. Lord sent me--a valid justification against any laws alleged against him.
against . . . against--rather, "concerning." Jeremiah purposely avoids saying, "against," which would needlessly irritate. They had used the same Hebrew word ( Jeremiah 26:11 ), which ought to be translated "concerning," though they meant it in the unfavorable sense. Jeremiah takes up their word in a better sense, implying that there is still room for repentance: that his prophecies aim at the real good of the city; for or concerning this house . . . city [GROTIUS].

13. ( Jeremiah 26:3 Jeremiah 26:19 ).