Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
JEREMIAH 26:11KJVWhat does Jeremiah 26:11 mean?
Jeremiah 26:11 describes how the priests and prophets accused Jeremiah before the officials and the people, saying he deserved the death penalty because he had spoken a prophecy against Jerusalem, which everyone had heard for themselves. The verse shows the religious leaders trying to persuade the authorities and the crowd that Jeremiah's message was a crime worthy of death.
In this scene, the priests and prophets are addressing the "princes" (government officials) and the gathered people, reacting to Jeremiah's warning that Jerusalem would face disaster if the people did not change their ways. The leaders argue that Jeremiah's prophecy against the city is so serious that it warrants execution. This moment highlights the tension between Jeremiah, who claims to speak for God, and the religious establishment, who see his words as dangerous and threatening.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 26:11
- "worthy" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word often means "judgment" or "justice," but here it is used in the sense of "deserving" or "subject to" death. The priests and prophets are making a legal accusation, not just expressing anger.
- "die" (מָוֶת, mavet): This is the standard Hebrew word for "death." The leaders are not just threatening Jeremiah but calling for a legal execution.
- "prophesied" (נָבָא, nava): This word means to speak as a prophet. The charge is not that Jeremiah lied, but that he used his prophetic authority to speak against the city, which they see as treasonous.
Why Jeremiah 26:11 matters
- Jeremiah 26:11 clarifies that the opposition to Jeremiah came not just from the people but specifically from the religious leaders, showing a conflict between prophetic truth and institutional power.
- The verse emphasizes that Jeremiah's message was public and widely heard ("as ye have heard with your ears"), so the accusation is based on open testimony, not rumor.
- This moment sets up a legal trial scene in the chapter, highlighting the real danger prophets faced when their messages challenged the status quo.