Jeremiah 26:11

11 The prophets and priests spoke first, addressing the officials, but also the people: "Death to this man! He deserves nothing less than death! He has preached against this city - you've heard the evidence with your own ears."

Jeremiah 26:11 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 26:11

Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes, and
to all the people
The priests and the prophets they were the accusers; the princes were the court before whom the cause was brought; and the people were the hearers of it; though it does not seem as if they were a sort of jury, or had any vote in determining; though they sometimes had in instigating a court, and the judges of it, to take on the side of the question they were for: saying, this man [is] worthy to die;
or, "the judgment of death [is] to this man" F6; he is guilty of a capital crime, and judgment ought to be given against him, and he condemned to die: for he hath prophesied against this city;
the city of Jerusalem; saying that it should be a curse to other nations; or, as they interpreted it, that it should be utterly destroyed, and become desolate, and none should inhabit it: as ye have heard with your ears;
this must be directed to the people only; for the princes did not hear Jeremiah's prophecy.


FOOTNOTES:

F6 (hzh vyal twm jpvm) "judieium mortis est viro huic", V. L. Vatablus, Pagninus, Montanus; "reatus mortis" Schmidt.

Jeremiah 26:11 In-Context

9 How dare you preach - and using God's name! - saying that this Temple will become a heap of rubble like Shiloh and this city be wiped out without a soul left in it!" All the people mobbed Jeremiah right in the Temple itself.
10 Officials from the royal court of Judah were told of this. They left the palace immediately and came to God's Temple to investigate. They held court on the spot, at the New Gate entrance to God's Temple.
11 The prophets and priests spoke first, addressing the officials, but also the people: "Death to this man! He deserves nothing less than death! He has preached against this city - you've heard the evidence with your own ears."
12 Jeremiah spoke next, publicly addressing the officials before the crowd: "God sent me to preach against both this Temple and city everything that's been reported to you.
13 So do something about it! Change the way you're living, change your behavior. Listen obediently to the Message of your God. Maybe God will reconsider the disaster he has threatened.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.