King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:24 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:24 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

Jeremiah 17:24 · KJV


Context

22

Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

23

But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

24

And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;

25

Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.

26

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God offers conditional blessing: "If ye diligently hearken unto me" establishes that covenant blessings depend on obedience. The Hebrew construction emphasizes intentional, careful attention—not casual hearing but devoted obedience. The specific focus remains Sabbath observance: bringing no burden through the gates on the Sabbath and hallowing the day by ceasing from work.

This conditional promise reflects the covenant structure throughout Scripture—obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curse (Deut 28). While Reformed theology emphasizes unconditional election unto salvation, sanctification involves genuine human obedience empowered by grace. God's commands are not arbitrary but pathways to human flourishing under His lordship.

The offered blessings (vv. 25-26) include political stability, continued Davidic dynasty, and worship at the temple—all covenant promises. Yet history shows Judah failed to meet the condition, bringing judgment instead. This points to the need for the new covenant, where God's law is written on hearts (Jer 31:33) and obedience flows from regeneration rather than mere external compulsion. Christ fulfilled the law perfectly, securing blessings for His people by His obedience (Rom 5:19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Conditional covenant blessings characterize the Mosaic covenant (Ex 19:5, Lev 26:3-13, Deut 28:1-14). While God's electing love for Israel was unconditional (Deut 7:7-8), experiencing covenant blessings required obedience. The prophets consistently called Israel to repentance, offering restoration if they returned to covenant faithfulness (Jer 4:1-4, 7:3-7, Amos 5:4-6). Judah's refusal to heed these conditions resulted in exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance understanding salvation as unconditional grace while recognizing that obedience leads to blessing?
  2. What role does human obedience play in your sanctification and experience of God's promises?
  3. How does Christ's perfect obedience secure for believers what Israel failed to achieve through covenant-keeping?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְ֠הָיָה1 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם2 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן3 of 24

And it shall come to pass if ye diligently

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן4 of 24

And it shall come to pass if ye diligently

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵלַי֙5 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם6 of 24

unto me saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 24

the LORD

H3068

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

לְבִלְתִּ֥י8 of 24

no

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הָבִ֣יא9 of 24

to bring

H935

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

מַשָּׂ֗א10 of 24

in no burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֛י11 of 24

through the gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעִ֥יר12 of 24

of this city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַזֹּ֖את13 of 24
H2063

this (often used adverb)

י֣וֹם14 of 24

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת15 of 24

on the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

וּלְקַדֵּשׁ֙16 of 24

but hallow

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת17 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

י֣וֹם18 of 24

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת19 of 24

on the sabbath

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

לְבִלְתִּ֥י20 of 24

no

H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

עֲשֽׂוֹת21 of 24

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בֹּ֖ה22 of 24
H0
כָּל23 of 24
H3605

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

מְלָאכָֽה׃24 of 24

work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)


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 17:24 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 17:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study