King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:16 in the King James Version says “Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hat...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.”

Jeremiah 26:16 · KJV

Context

14

As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. as: Heb. as it is good and right in your eyes

15

But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

16

Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.

17

Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,

18

Micah the Morasthite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and spake to all the people of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Zion shall be plowed like a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.

Read Jeremiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die—Remarkably, the verdict reverses the accusers' demand. The princes (שָׂרִים, sarim) and people, having heard Jeremiah's defense, acquit him. The phrase אֵין־לָאִישׁ הַזֶּה מִשְׁפַּט־מָוֶת (ein-laish hazeh mishpat-mavet, 'there is not for this man judgment of death') legally exonerates Jeremiah. This judicial outcome demonstrates God's providential protection and validates Jeremiah's claim to divine commission—if the message were false prophecy, execution would have been mandatory (Deuteronomy 18:20).

For he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God—The justification acknowledges Jeremiah spoke with divine authority. The covenant name יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ (YHWH Eloheinu, 'the LORD our God') recognizes the message came from Judah's covenant God, not a false deity. This admission is theologically significant: even those who rejected Jeremiah's message conceded he spoke for Yahweh. The acquittal establishes legal precedent that authentic prophetic speech, even when unpopular or threatening, deserves protection rather than prosecution.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verdict contrasts sharply with other prophets' fates. Urijah prophesied similarly to Jeremiah but was executed by King Jehoiakim (26:20-23). The difference was timing and judicial context—Jeremiah received formal trial with civil oversight, while Urijah faced royal authority alone. The elders' citation of Micah's precedent (v. 18-19) proved decisive: Micah prophesied Jerusalem's destruction a century earlier yet wasn't killed, and Hezekiah's repentance averted judgment temporarily. This historical example demonstrated that prophesying Jerusalem's fall wasn't inherently treasonous if genuinely from God. The verdict also reflects temporary openness early in Jehoiakim's reign, which hardened later.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verdict teach about the importance of protecting genuine prophetic speech, even when it challenges religious and political establishments?
  2. How did the princes' and people's willingness to hear Jeremiah's defense demonstrate that truth can persuade even hostile audiences?
  3. In what ways should Christian witness today maintain both boldness in proclamation and trust in God's sovereign protection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ1 of 19

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַשָּׂרִים֙2 of 19

“the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְכָל3 of 19
H3605

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

הָעָ֔ם4 of 19

“and all the people”

H5971

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

אֶל5 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים6 of 19

“unto the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְאֶל7 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים8 of 19

“and to the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֵין9 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָאִ֤ישׁ10 of 19

“This man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַזֶּה֙11 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מִשְׁפַּט12 of 19

“is not worthy”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מָ֔וֶת13 of 19

“to die”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

כִּ֗י14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּשֵׁ֛ם15 of 19

“to us in the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֥ה16 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ17 of 19

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

דִּבֶּ֥ר18 of 19

“for he hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֵֽינוּ׃19 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 26:16 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 26:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 25:25Acts 23:9Acts 5:34-39Acts 23:29Jeremiah 36:25Jeremiah 36:19

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