King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 17:27 Mean?

Jeremiah 17:27 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 17:27 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Jeremiah 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The final verse presents the alternative—judgment for covenant violation: "But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day." The condition is repeated for emphasis, highlighting that the choice and consequences rest with the people. Continuing to bear burdens through Jerusalem's gates on the Sabbath represents deliberate, persistent covenant violation despite clear warning.

The threatened judgment is catastrophic: "I will kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." Fire represents divine wrath and total destruction. Gates, the entry points and symbols of city strength, will burn first. The palaces—royal and noble residences representing political power—will be consumed. The phrase "it shall not be quenched" indicates unstoppable, complete devastation.

This prophecy was literally fulfilled when Babylon burned Jerusalem in 586 BC (2 Kgs 25:8-9, Jer 52:12-13). Yet it also points to final judgment—the unquenchable fire prepared for those who reject God (Mark 9:43-48, Matt 25:41). The Reformed doctrine of eternal punishment finds biblical support in such passages. Only Christ can save from the fire of divine wrath by bearing that judgment in our place (1 Thess 1:10, 5:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem (586 BC) involved systematic destruction by fire. Archaeological excavations reveal extensive burn layers from this period. The city walls, gates, temple, and palaces were all burned. This catastrophic judgment vindicated Jeremiah's prophecies and demonstrated that God's warnings are not idle threats. The exile lasted seventy years, after which a remnant returned, but Jerusalem never regained its former glory until Christ came.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do vivid warnings of judgment affect your understanding of sin's seriousness and God's holiness?
  2. What does the reality of unquenchable fire teach about the eternal consequences of rejecting God?
  3. How does Christ's bearing the fire of God's wrath provide assurance that believers will never face such judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְאִם1 of 24
H518

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

לֹ֨א2 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁמְע֜וּ3 of 24

“But if ye will not hearken”

H8085

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

אֵלַ֗י4 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְקַדֵּשׁ֙5 of 24

“unto me to hallow”

H6942

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

אֶת6 of 24
H853

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

בְּי֣וֹם7 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

הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת8 of 24

“on the sabbath”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

וּלְבִלְתִּ֣י׀9 of 24
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

שְׂאֵ֣ת10 of 24

“and not to bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

מַשָּׂ֗א11 of 24

“a burden”

H4853

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

וּבֹ֛א12 of 24

“even entering in”

H935

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

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֗יהָ13 of 24

“at the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם14 of 24

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּי֣וֹם15 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

הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת16 of 24

“on the sabbath”

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

וְהִצַּ֧תִּי17 of 24

“then will I kindle”

H3341

to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate

אֵ֣שׁ18 of 24

“a fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בִּשְׁעָרֶ֗יהָ19 of 24

“at the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

וְאָֽכְלָ֛ה20 of 24

“thereof and it shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אַרְמְנ֥וֹת21 of 24

“the palaces”

H759

a citadel (from its height)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם22 of 24

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְלֹ֥א23 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִכְבֶּֽה׃24 of 24

“and it shall not be quenched”

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

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 17:27 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 17:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 25:9Jeremiah 7:20Jeremiah 21:14Amos 1:14Ezekiel 22:8Amos 2:4-5

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 17 →

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