Jeremiah 17:27

27 But you must obey me and keep the Sabbath day as a holy day. You must not carry any loads into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. If you don't obey me, I will start a fire at the gates of Jerusalem, and it will burn until it burns even the strong towers. And it will not be put out.'"

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 "'If you obey this command, kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of Jerusalem with their officers. They will come riding in chariots and on horses, along with the people of Judah and Jerusalem. And the city of Jerusalem will have people living in it forever.
26 People will come to Jerusalem from the villages around it, from the towns of Judah, from the land of Benjamin, from the western hills, from the mountains, and from southern Judah. They will all bring to the Temple of the Lord burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, incense, and offerings to show thanks to God.
27 But you must obey me and keep the Sabbath day as a holy day. You must not carry any loads into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. If you don't obey me, I will start a fire at the gates of Jerusalem, and it will burn until it burns even the strong towers. And it will not be put out.'"
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.