King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:26 in the King James Version says “And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and fr...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 17:26 · KJV

Context

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.

27

But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse envisions comprehensive worship from all regions bringing offerings to the temple. The geographic sweep—"cities of Judah," "places about Jerusalem," "land of Benjamin," "the plain," "the mountains," and "the south"—encompasses the entire territory. This indicates national unity in worship and devotion to God, the covenant ideal where all Israel gathers at the central sanctuary.

The variety of offerings listed—"burnt offerings, sacrifices, meat offerings, incense, and sacrifices of praise"—represents the full Levitical worship system. Burnt offerings signified complete consecration to God (Lev 1), sacrifices included fellowship and sin offerings (Lev 3-5), meat offerings (grain offerings) accompanied many sacrifices (Lev 2), incense represented prayer (Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8), and sacrifices of praise (thanksgiving offerings) expressed gratitude (Lev 7:12-15).

This comprehensive worship from all the land represents covenant fulfillment—the people united in devotion to Yahweh alone, bringing Him their best in grateful worship. Tragically, Judah's syncretism and covenant violation prevented this ideal from being realized. The vision points forward to the new covenant community where believers from every nation offer spiritual sacrifices through Christ our High Priest (1 Pet 2:5, Heb 13:15, Rom 12:1).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The temple worship system established under Moses and refined under David and Solomon was meant to unite Israel in worship of Yahweh alone. The three annual pilgrim feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) brought all Israel to Jerusalem (Deut 16:16). This verse envisions the ideal of faithful nationwide participation in temple worship—a reality occasionally achieved under godly kings like Hezekiah and Josiah (2 Chr 29-31, 2 Kgs 23:21-23) but more often violated through idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does comprehensive, wholehearted worship from every area of life look like for you?
  2. How does the variety of Old Testament offerings inform our understanding of different aspects of worship?
  3. In what ways does the church from every nation offering spiritual sacrifices through Christ fulfill this vision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וּמְבִאֵ֥י1 of 22

“And they shall come”

H935

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

מֵעָרֵֽי2 of 22

“from the cities”

H5892

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

יְ֠הוּדָה3 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וּמִסְּבִיב֨וֹת4 of 22

“and from the places about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם5 of 22

“Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וּמֵאֶ֣רֶץ6 of 22

“and from the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן7 of 22

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמִן8 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשְּׁפֵלָ֤ה9 of 22

“and from the plain”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וּמִן10 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָר֙11 of 22

“and from the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וּמִן12 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַנֶּ֔גֶב13 of 22

“and from the south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וּמְבִאֵ֥י14 of 22

“And they shall come”

H935

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

עוֹלָ֥ה15 of 22

“burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְזֶ֖בַח16 of 22

“and sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וּמִנְחָ֣ה17 of 22

“and meat offerings”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וּלְבוֹנָ֑ה18 of 22

“and incense”

H3828

frankincense (from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke)

וּמְבִאֵ֥י19 of 22

“And they shall come”

H935

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

תוֹדָ֖ה20 of 22

“sacrifices of praise”

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

בֵּ֥ית21 of 22

“unto the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 17:26 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 17:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:44Jeremiah 33:13Zechariah 7:7Psalms 107:22Psalms 116:17Jeremiah 33:11

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
NegebRegion · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E43 verses across 13 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in Jeremiah 17 →

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