Jeremiah 17:27

27 "But 1if you do not listen to Me to keep the sabbath day holy by not carrying a load and coming in through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then 2I will kindle a fire in its gates and it will 3devour the palaces of Jerusalem and 4not be quenched.""'

Jeremiah 17:27 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 17:27

But if ye will not hearken unto me
With respect to this particular point, more especially: to hallow the sabbath day;
to keep it holy to the Lord in a religious way, in the exercise of the duties of religion, both public and private: and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem
on the sabbath day;
or, "and go through"; or, so as "to go through" F12 &c; and may intend either one and the same thing, namely entering in at the gates with a burden upon the shoulders; or two things, bearing a burden, and carrying it any where in or out of the city; and an unnecessary passing and repassing through the gates of the city, whether a man has or has not a burden upon him, since the sabbath might be violated either way: then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof;
where the prophet was to publish all this, and where the people sinned by passing and repassing, and carrying burdens in and out on the sabbath day: and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem;
the king's palace, and the palaces of the princes and nobles, as well as the cottages of the poorer sort: and it shall not be quenched;
until it has utterly destroyed the city: this was fulfilled by the Chaldeans, ( Jeremiah 52:13 ) . The Jews say there is no fire kindled but where the sabbath is profaned; and that Jerusalem was destroyed because they profaned the sabbath F13.


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (vb abw) "et intretis per portas", Cocceius, Schmidt.
F13 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 119. 2.

Jeremiah 17:27 In-Context

25 then there will come in through the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever.
26 "They will come in from the cities of Judah and from the environs of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, and bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving to the house of the LORD .
27 "But if you do not listen to Me to keep the sabbath day holy by not carrying a load and coming in through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates and it will devour the palaces of Jerusalem and not be quenched.""'

Cross References 4

  • 1. Isaiah 1:20; Jeremiah 22:5; Jeremiah 26:4; Zechariah 7:11-14
  • 2. Lamentations 4:11
  • 3. 2 Kings 25:9; Jeremiah 39:8; Amos 2:5
  • 4. Jeremiah 7:20; Ezekiel 20:47
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