King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:19 in the King James Version says “Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Jeremiah 17:19 · KJV


Context

17

Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil.

18

Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction. destroy: Heb. break them with a double breach

19

Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

20

And say unto them, Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

21

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;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God commissions Jeremiah to a public prophetic act, positioning him strategically "in the gate of the children of the people"—likely the main public entrance to Jerusalem where both common folk and royalty passed. The command to stand "whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem" emphasizes comprehensive witness. No one, regardless of social status, could avoid hearing God's word.

Gates in ancient cities served as centers of commerce, legal proceedings, and public assembly (Ruth 4:1-11, Deut 21:19). Positioning Jeremiah there ensured maximum exposure for his message. The prophetic word would confront all social classes—from kings to commoners—demonstrating that covenant obligations apply universally. No one stands exempt from God's law or immune to His judgment.

This public proclamation models the church's calling to bear witness in the marketplace of ideas, not merely within religious enclaves. Christ commanded proclamation of the gospel to all nations (Matt 28:19), and the apostles preached in public forums (Acts 17:17). Truth must confront culture at every level, speaking to rulers and citizens alike with the authority of God's word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's gates were named and had specific functions—the Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Water Gate, etc. (Neh 3). The gates were not merely defensive structures but vital social spaces where community life transpired. Prophets regularly delivered oracles at city gates (1 Kgs 22:10, Jer 7:2, 19:2). This public setting ensured that Jeremiah's message couldn't be dismissed as private opinion or marginal discourse but confronted the entire community as God's authoritative word.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where are the 'gates' of modern society where God's word needs to be publicly proclaimed?
  2. How do you balance respectful engagement with prophetic boldness when addressing cultural and political issues?
  3. In what ways does the church's witness need to reach beyond comfortable religious spaces into the public square?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כֹּה1 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֨ר2 of 20

Thus said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה3 of 20

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֗י4 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָלֹ֤ךְ5 of 20

unto me Go

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְעָֽמַדְתָּ֙6 of 20

and stand

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

שַׁעֲרֵ֥י7 of 20

and in all the gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בְּנֵֽי8 of 20

of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עָ֔ם9 of 20

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָבֹ֤אוּ11 of 20

come in

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בוֹ֙12 of 20
H0
מַלְכֵ֣י13 of 20

whereby the kings

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה14 of 20

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַאֲשֶׁ֖ר15 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֵ֣צְאוּ16 of 20

and by the which they go out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

ב֑וֹ17 of 20
H0
וּבְכֹ֖ל18 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שַׁעֲרֵ֥י19 of 20

and in all the gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃20 of 20

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 17:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 17:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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