King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:10 in the King James Version says “When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sa...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house. in the: or, at the door”

Jeremiah 26:10 · KJV

Context

8

Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.

9

Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

10

When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house. in the: or, at the door

11

Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. This man: Heb. The judgment of death is for this man

12

Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.

Read Jeremiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD—The שָׂרִים (sarim, princes/officials) functioned as royal administrators and judicial authorities. Their arrival from the king's house to the temple represents civil authority intervening in religious controversy. The separation of locations—king's house versus LORD's house—reflects the tension between royal power and prophetic authority that characterized Judah's final decades.

And sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house—Ancient Near Eastern judicial practice conducted trials at city gates, where elders and officials assembled (Ruth 4:1-2, 2 Samuel 15:2). The 'new gate' (שַׁעַר הֶחָדָשׁ, sha'ar hechadash) was likely constructed during Josiah's renovations. The princes' seating position indicates formal judicial proceedings. This detail shows God's providence: Jeremiah received a legal trial rather than mob execution, giving opportunity for his defense and establishing legal precedent regarding prophetic speech.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Judicial procedures in ancient Judah followed covenant law requiring witnesses, formal accusations, and opportunity for defense (Deuteronomy 19:15-21). The princes' intervention prevented immediate mob violence, though the priests and false prophets demanded Jeremiah's death (v. 11). This scene contrasts with Jesus' later trial, where religious authorities manipulated legal proceedings to secure execution (Matthew 26:59-66). Jeremiah's deliverance from this trial foreshadows his repeated preservation by God's providence, despite facing death multiple times.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the civil authorities' willingness to hear Jeremiah's defense demonstrate God's providential protection of His messengers?
  2. What does this formal trial scene teach about the importance of due process and justice, even for controversial religious claims?
  3. In what ways might mob mentality and religious outrage short-circuit legitimate evaluation of truth claims today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ׀1 of 16

“heard”

H8085

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

שָׂרֵ֣י2 of 16

“When the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

יְהוּדָ֗ה3 of 16

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אֵ֚ת4 of 16
H853

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

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים5 of 16

“these things”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֔לֶּה6 of 16
H428

these or those

וַיַּעֲל֥וּ7 of 16

“then they came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵּ֣ית8 of 16

“house”

H1004

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

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ9 of 16

“from the king's”

H4428

a king

בֵּ֣ית10 of 16

“house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֖ה11 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֛וּ12 of 16

“and sat down”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּפֶ֥תַח13 of 16

“in the entry”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַֽׁעַר14 of 16

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

הֶחָדָֽשׁ׃16 of 16

“of the new”

H2319

new

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 26:10 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 26:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 36:10Jeremiah 36:12-19Jeremiah 36:25Jeremiah 26:16-172 Kings 15:35Jeremiah 26:24

Places in This Verse

New GateGate · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in Jeremiah 26 →

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 26 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 26 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes