And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.

JEREMIAH 17:26KJV
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Jeremiah 17:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 17:26 mean?

Jeremiah 17:26 describes people from all around Judah—including the cities, countryside, and different regions—coming to Jerusalem to bring various offerings and sacrifices to the temple of the LORD. The verse paints a picture of unified worship, with people bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, incense, and thank offerings to God’s house.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of warning and promise. In this verse, he describes a future hope: if the people honor God, worship will be restored and people from every part of the land will gather at the temple. The verse emphasizes the unity and devotion of the people as they come together to worship the LORD.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 17:26

  • עֹלוֹת (ʿolot, H5930): This word refers to "burnt offerings," which were sacrifices completely burned on the altar. It highlights the idea of total dedication to God.
  • זְבָחִים (zevakhim, H2077): This word means "sacrifices," often of animals, and points to acts of worship and atonement.
  • מִנְחָה (minchah, H4503): This is a "grain offering" or "meat offering" (not meat as in flesh, but an old term for food), showing that worship included gifts from the harvest, not just animals.
  • קְטֹרֶת (qetoret, H3828): This word means "incense," which was burned as a symbol of prayers rising to God.
  • תּוֹדָה (todah, H8426): This is the "sacrifice of praise" or "thank offering," focusing on gratitude and public thanksgiving to God.
  • בֵּית יְהוָה (beit YHWH, H1004, H3068): This phrase means "the house of the LORD," referring specifically to the temple in Jerusalem, the center of worship.

Why Jeremiah 17:26 matters

  • Jeremiah 17:26 clarifies that true worship involves people from every region and background, not just those living in Jerusalem, showing the inclusiveness of God’s invitation.
  • The verse emphasizes the different types of offerings—burnt, grain, incense, and praise—revealing the richness and variety of worship in ancient Israel.
  • In the context of Jeremiah’s warnings, this verse stands out as a promise of restoration, showing that faithfulness to God will lead to renewed unity and joyful worship.

Where else these words appear

“plain” Hebrew H8219 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • Joshua 15:33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
  • 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.

“incense” Hebrew H3828 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 30:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
  • Leviticus 6:15 And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.
  • Song of Solomon 4:6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

“praise” Hebrew H8426 · used in 30 verses

  • Leviticus 7:12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
  • Nehemiah 12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
  • Psalms 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.
  • Isaiah 21:1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.