Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.

JEREMIAH 26:12KJV
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Jeremiah 26:12 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 26:12 mean?

Jeremiah 26:12 shows Jeremiah defending himself before the leaders and the people, explaining that he is not speaking on his own but has been sent by the LORD to deliver a message of warning about the temple and Jerusalem. Jeremiah makes it clear that the words he spoke were not his own opinions, but a prophecy given by God.

In this scene, Jeremiah is standing before the "princes" (leaders) and "all the people" after being accused of speaking against the temple and the city. He addresses everyone directly, stating that his message comes from the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh), and that he was "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) to "prophesy" (נָבָא, nava) against "this house" (the temple) and "this city" (Jerusalem). Jeremiah emphasizes that he is simply relaying the "words" (דָּבָר, davar) they have already heard, highlighting his role as a messenger rather than an instigator.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 26:12

  • LORD (יהוה, Yahweh): Jeremiah specifically names the God of Israel as the source of his message, underlining the authority behind his words.
  • sent (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to be commissioned or dispatched, stressing that Jeremiah is acting under orders, not out of personal motive.
  • prophesy (נָבָא, nava): This verb means to speak as a prophet, often with a message that challenges or warns, showing that Jeremiah’s words are meant to confront and correct.
  • house (בַּיִת, bayit) and city (עִיר, ir): These terms refer directly to the temple and Jerusalem, making it clear that the warning is about the very heart of Israel’s religious and civic life.

Why Jeremiah 26:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jeremiah’s message is not treason or blasphemy, but a prophetic warning given by God, which is crucial for understanding why he risks his life to speak out.
  • It highlights the tension between true prophecy and popular opinion, showing that God’s messengers may be called to deliver hard truths even when they are unpopular or dangerous.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Jeremiah’s ministry: calling the people and leaders to listen to God’s warnings before disaster comes, and showing the cost of faithful obedience to God’s call.

Where else these words appear

“prophesy” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.