But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

JEREMIAH 26:15KJV
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Jeremiah 26:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 26:15 mean?

Jeremiah 26:15 is Jeremiah’s warning to the people that if they kill him, they will be guilty of shedding innocent blood, because he is only delivering a message that God sent him to speak. Jeremiah insists that his words are not his own, but come directly from the LORD, so harming him would bring guilt on the whole city and its people.

Jeremiah is speaking to the officials and people of Jerusalem who are threatening his life because of his prophecies. He makes it clear that executing him would be an unjust act, since he is innocent and only acting as God’s messenger. The verse highlights the seriousness of rejecting or harming someone who faithfully delivers God’s message, and it sets up the tension between Jeremiah and his audience in this chapter.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 26:15

  • "Innocent" (נָקִי, naqi): This word means free from guilt or wrongdoing. Jeremiah claims innocence, emphasizing that any violence against him would be unjust.
  • "Blood" (דָּם, dam): In Hebrew thought, shedding blood is a grave offense, especially when the blood is innocent. Jeremiah warns that killing him would bring the guilt of innocent blood on the city and its people.
  • "Truth" (אֱמֶת, emet): Jeremiah says he is speaking “of a truth,” stressing the reliability and honesty of his claim that the LORD sent him.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): Jeremiah specifically names the LORD as the one who sent him, underlining the divine authority behind his message.

Why Jeremiah 26:15 matters

  • Jeremiah 26:15 clears up that Jeremiah is not acting out of personal motive or rebellion, but is faithfully passing on God’s words, making any punishment against him a serious injustice.
  • The verse emphasizes the collective responsibility of the city and its people if they choose to harm an innocent prophet, showing that such actions have consequences for the whole community.
  • This warning connects to the broader theme in Jeremiah of how people respond to God’s messengers, and it foreshadows the risks prophets often faced when delivering unpopular truths.

Where else these words appear

“innocent” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Psalms 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

“truth” Hebrew H571 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
  • Psalms 26:3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
  • Proverbs 22:21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?