ScriptureDepth's study of Jeremiah 26
“But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes.”
Jeremiah 26:14
Jeremiah speaks this to the people and princes of Judah, stating he is in their hands, which raises the question of their response to his prophetic words.
What Jeremiah 26 is about
At the beginning of Jehoiakim's reign, Jeremiah receives a command from Yahweh to speak in the temple (vv. 1-2). He urges the people to repent from their evil ways (vv. 3-6). The priests, prophets, and others hear his message but respond with hostility, demanding his death (vv. 7-9). Jeremiah defends himself by stating that he was sent by Yahweh and calls for the people to amend their ways (vv. 10-15). The princes and the crowd declare that Jeremiah should not die, recognizing he speaks for Yahweh (vv. 16-19). They recall the prophet Micah, who faced similar threats but was not harmed (vv. 17-19). Meanwhile, Uriah prophesies and is executed by Jehoiakim after fleeing to Egypt (vv. 20-23). Ultimately, Ahikam protects Jeremiah from the people's calls for execution (v. 24).
Yahweh warns that if the people do not listen, judgment will come upon them.
Jeremiah 26 at a glance
- Jeremiah 26:1–2Jeremiah's Commission from God
- Jeremiah 26:3–6Call to Repentance
- Jeremiah 26:7–9Hostility from Leaders and People
- Jeremiah 26:10–15Defense and Warning by Jeremiah
- Jeremiah 26:16–19Elders Recall Micah's Prophecy
- Jeremiah 26:20–24Fate of Uriah and Jeremiah's Deliverance
Key verse: Jeremiah 26:14
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Jeremiah 26 (WEB)
Jeremiah's Commission from God Jeremiah 26:1–2
1Verse 1. In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from Yahweh: 2Verse 2. “Yahweh says: ‘Stand in the court of Yahweh’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Yahweh’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Don’t omit a word.
Call to Repentance Jeremiah 26:3–6
3Verse 3. It may be they will listen, and every man turn from his evil way; that I may relent from the evil which I intend to do to them because of the evil of their doings.’ 4Verse 4. You shall tell them, “Yahweh says: ‘If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, 5Verse 5. to listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send to you, even rising up early and sending them, but you have not listened; 6Verse 6. then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”’”
Hostility from Leaders and People Jeremiah 26:7–9
7Verse 7. The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in Yahweh’s house. 8Verse 8. When Jeremiah had finished speaking all that Yahweh had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You shall surely die! 9Verse 9. Why have you prophesied in Yahweh’s name, saying, ‘This house will be like Shiloh, and this city will be desolate, without inhabitant?’” All the people were crowded around Jeremiah in Yahweh’s house.
Defense and Warning by Jeremiah Jeremiah 26:10–15
10Verse 10. When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to Yahweh’s house; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of Yahweh’s house. 11Verse 11. Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the princes and to all the people, saying, “This man is worthy of death; for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.” 12Verse 12. Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and to all the people, saying, “Yahweh sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. 13Verse 13. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey Yahweh your God’s voice; then Yahweh will relent from the evil that he has pronounced against you.
14Verse 14. But as for me, behold, I am in your hand. Do with me what is good and right in your eyes. 15Verse 15. Only know for certain that, if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for in truth Yahweh has sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.”
Elders Recall Micah's Prophecy Jeremiah 26:16–19
16Verse 16. Then the princes and all the people said to the priests and to the prophets: “This man is not worthy of death; for he has spoken to us in the name of Yahweh our God.” 17Verse 17. Then certain of the elders of the land rose up, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying, 18Verse 18. “Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Yahweh of Armies says: “‘Zion will be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem will become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.’
19Verse 19. Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? Didn’t he fear Yahweh, and entreat the favor of Yahweh, and Yahweh relented of the disaster which he had pronounced against them? We would commit great evil against our own souls that way!”
Fate of Uriah and Jeremiah's Deliverance Jeremiah 26:20–24
20Verse 20. There was also a man who prophesied in Yahweh’s name, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath Jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. 21Verse 21. When Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt. 22Verse 22. Then Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt; 23Verse 23. and they fetched Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
24Verse 24. But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they didn’t give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Jeremiah 26
prophetic warning
In this chapter, Jeremiah is commanded by Yahweh to deliver a warning to the people of Judah. In v. 4, he is to tell them, 'If you will not listen to me, to walk in my law,' which establishes the seriousness of their situation. The warning culminates with the threat that Yahweh will make this house like Shiloh if they do not heed the message of repentance. This movement drives the action of the chapter, leading to a conflict between Jeremiah and the religious leaders.
repentance
Jeremiah's call for repentance is central in vv. 12-13, where he urges the people to 'amend your ways and your doings, and obey Yahweh your God’s voice.' This appeal is framed as a condition for avoiding judgment. The mention of Yahweh relenting from the evil pronounced against them shows the possibility of restoration through genuine change. This call shifts the chapter from prophetic declaration to a direct invitation for the people to turn back to God.
Explore repentance in the Bible →obedience
Obedience is present throughout Jeremiah's message, particularly in v. 5, where he calls for the people to listen to 'the words of my servants the prophets.' The expectation is that the people will follow Yahweh's laws and heed His messengers. The chapter presents obedience as a crucial response to prophetic utterances, linking it directly to the avoidance of disaster. This creates a tension between divine command and human response.
divine justice
Divine justice is portrayed through the consequences of the people's actions. In v. 15, Jeremiah warns that if he is put to death, they will bring 'innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants.' This statement shows the serious ramifications of rejecting Yahweh’s message and harming His prophet. The fate of Uriah, who was killed for prophesying in Yahweh’s name, reveals the dire consequences of disobedience and murder.
Chapter outline
How Jeremiah 26 unfolds
Jeremiah 26:1–2 Jeremiah's Commission from God
Jeremiah receives a command from Yahweh to speak to the people of Judah in the temple about their ways (vv. 1-2). He is instructed not to omit any words that he must deliver.
Jeremiah 26:3–6 Call to Repentance
Yahweh calls the people to potentially repent, stating ‘If you will not listen to me’ and warns that failure to heed the prophets will result in disaster, making the city a curse (vv. 3-6).
Jeremiah 26:7–9 Hostility from Leaders and People
Jeremiah faces immediate hostility from the priests, prophets, and people who accuse him of deserving death for his prophecy against the city and temple (vv. 7-9).
Jeremiah 26:10–15 Defense and Warning by Jeremiah
In defense, Jeremiah asserts that he was sent by Yahweh and urges the people to amend their ways; he warns them of the consequences of killing him as an innocent prophet (vv. 10-15).
Jeremiah 26:16–19 Elders Recall Micah's Prophecy
The princes and people declare that Jeremiah ‘is not worthy of death’ and elders recall Micah’s prophecy about destruction, questioning if Hezekiah’s fear of Yahweh led to mercy instead of punishment (vv. 16-19).
Jeremiah 26:20–24 Fate of Uriah and Jeremiah's Deliverance
The fate of Uriah, another prophet who was killed for his words against Jerusalem, is recounted, contrasting with Jeremiah's survival due to the protection of Ahikam (vv. 20-24).
Key verses
Jeremiah 26:14Jeremiah speaks this to the people and princes of Judah, stating he is in their hands, which raises the question of their response to his prophetic words.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Jeremiah 26
- observeWhat does Jeremiah prophesy about the house and city in vv. 6-7?
- observeIn v. 9, why do the people surround Jeremiah in Yahweh’s house?
- interpretIn vv. 18-19, what tension exists between Micah's message and the actions of Hezekiah?
- interpretIn vv. 20-23, how does Uriah's fate compare to Jeremiah's situation?
- applyWhen has speaking the truth led to opposition like Jeremiah faced in v. 8?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Jeremiah 26
- 1 Samuel 15Jeremiah 26:13 and 1 Samuel 15:22Both obey: Jeremiah 26:13 urges to amend your ways, while 1 Samuel 15:22 states obeying is better than sacrifice.
- Jeremiah 36Jeremiah 26:3 and Jeremiah 36:3Both return: Jeremiah 26:3 expresses hope they will listen and turn, while Jeremiah 36:3 also encourages returning from their evil way.
- Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 26:2 and Jeremiah 7:2Both speak: Jeremiah 26:2 commands to speak all the words, while Jeremiah 7:2 instructs to proclaim this word.
- Acts 5Jeremiah 26:2 and Acts 5:20Both speak: Jeremiah 26:2 commands to speak all the words, while Acts 5:20 instructs to speak in the temple.
- Jeremiah 18Jeremiah 26:13 and Jeremiah 18:8Both relent: Jeremiah 26:13 calls to obey for relenting, while Jeremiah 18:8 promises to repent if they turn.
- Jeremiah 38Jeremiah 26:11 and Jeremiah 38:4Both death: Jeremiah 26:11 declares he is worthy of death, while Jeremiah 38:4 requests putting him to death.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Jeremiah 26
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Jeremiah: the whole bookJeremiah ministered longer through darker days than any other prophet: called as a young man around 627 BC in…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 241Day 241 of 365: Jeremiah 25–27.
- RepentanceWhat the Bible says about repentance, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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