Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

JEREMIAH 17:21KJV
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Jeremiah 17:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:21 mean?

Jeremiah 17:21 is a warning from God telling the people not to carry any loads or burdens into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, emphasizing the importance of keeping the Sabbath as a day of rest. This command is meant to remind the people to honor the Sabbath by refraining from ordinary work and respecting the city’s sacredness.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah on behalf of the LORD, urging them to pay close attention to their actions regarding the Sabbath. The setting is Jerusalem, where the people had been disregarding Sabbath laws, and Jeremiah is calling them back to faithful observance. The verse highlights how seriously God viewed Sabbath-keeping as a sign of the covenant relationship between Him and His people.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:21

  • "heed" (שָׁמַר, shamar): This word means to guard, watch, or keep carefully. Here, it stresses the need for personal responsibility and attentiveness in following God’s instructions about the Sabbath.
  • "burden" (מַשָּׂא, massa): This refers to any physical load or item carried, often associated with work or commerce. The command not to bear a burden on the Sabbath underlines the prohibition against regular labor on this day.
  • "sabbath" (שַׁבָּת, shabbat): This word means "rest" or "cessation." Its use here reminds the reader that the Sabbath is set apart from other days specifically for rest and worship, not for business as usual.

Why Jeremiah 17:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:21 clarifies that Sabbath observance was not just about ritual but involved concrete actions, like not carrying goods into the city, which would have been tied to trade or work.
  • The verse shows that God’s instructions covered both public and private life, connecting personal behavior with the spiritual health of the whole community.
  • This command stands as part of a larger warning in Jeremiah 17, where the people’s disregard for the Sabbath is linked to the coming judgment on Jerusalem, highlighting the seriousness of obedience in maintaining their relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“burden” Hebrew H4853 · used in 60 verses

  • Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
  • Isaiah 22:25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

“sabbath” Hebrew H7676 · used in 89 verses

  • Exodus 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
  • Leviticus 26:35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.