Jeremiah 17:27

27 “‘But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.’”

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 kings and their officials will go in and out of these gates forever. There will always be a descendant of David sitting on the throne here in Jerusalem. Kings and their officials will always ride in and out among the people of Judah in chariots and on horses, and this city will remain forever.
26 And from all around Jerusalem, from the towns of Judah and Benjamin, from the western foothills and the hill country and the Negev, the people will come with their burnt offerings and sacrifices. They will bring their grain offerings, frankincense, and thanksgiving offerings to the LORD ’s Temple.
27 “‘But if you do not listen to me and refuse to keep the Sabbath holy, and if on the Sabbath day you bring loads of merchandise through the gates of Jerusalem just as on other days, then I will set fire to these gates. The fire will spread to the palaces, and no one will be able to put out the roaring flames.’”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.