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.