Yirmeyah 26:21

21 And when Y’hoyakim (Jehoiakim) HaMelech, with all his gibborim, and all the sarim, heard his words, HaMelech sought to put him to death; but when Uriyah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Mitzrayim;

Yirmeyah 26:21 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 26:21

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men
Either his courtiers, or his soldiers, or both: and all the princes, heard his words;
the words of the Prophet Urijah; not with their own ears very probably, but from the report of others: the king sought to put him to death;
as being a messenger of bad tidings, tending to dispirit his subjects, and allay the joy of his own mind upon his advancement to the throne: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into
Egypt;
which some understand as a piece of prudence in him; but rather it was the effect of pusillanimity and cowardice: it seems to show want of faith and confidence in the Lord; and the fear of man, which brings a snare; and besides, it was no piece of prudence to go to Egypt, whatever it was to flee; since there was such an alliance between the kings of Egypt and Judah; and the latter, though dependent on the former, yet the king of Egypt would easily gratify him in delivering up a subject of his, and a person of such a character.

Yirmeyah 26:21 In-Context

19 Did Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah and kol Yehudah put him to death? Did he not fear Hashem, and besought Hashem, and Hashem relented of the ra’ah which He had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure ra’ah gedolah against nafshoteinu.

20 And there was also an ish that prophesied B’Shem Hashem, Uriyah Ben Shema’yahu of Kiryat HaYearim, who prophesied against this city and against HaAretz Hazot according to all the devarim of Yirmeyah.

21 And when Y’hoyakim (Jehoiakim) HaMelech, with all his gibborim, and all the sarim, heard his words, HaMelech sought to put him to death; but when Uriyah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Mitzrayim;

22 And Y’hoyakim HaMelech sent anashim into Mitzrayim, namely, Elnatan Ben Achbor, and certain anashim with him into Mitzrayim.

23 And they brought Uriyah out of Mitzrayim, and brought him unto Y’hoyakim HaMelech; who slaughtered him with the cherev, and cast his nevelah (dead body) into the kevarim of the Bnei HaAm (common people).