King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:19 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:19 in the King James Version says “Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD , and ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD , and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. the LORD, and the: Heb. the face of the LORD, etc

Jeremiah 26:19 · KJV


Context

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.

19

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD , and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. the LORD, and the: Heb. the face of the LORD, etc

20

And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:

21

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The elders recall how King Hezekiah responded to Micah's prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction - he 'feared the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil.' This historical precedent argues for Jeremiah's life. Godly fear of God's word leads to repentance, which may avert judgment. This contrasts with current leaders who want to kill the prophet rather than heed his message.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Micah prophesied around 100 years before Jeremiah (Micah 3:12). Hezekiah's humble response (2 Chr 32:26) provided a model of how kings should receive prophetic rebuke.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past mercies inform present responses to His word?
  2. What's the difference between silencing God's messenger and heeding God's message?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
הֱ֠מִתֻהוּ1 of 28

put him at all

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הֱ֠מִתֻהוּ2 of 28

put him at all

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

חִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ3 of 28

Did Hezekiah

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 28

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה5 of 28

and all Judah

H3063

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

וְכָל6 of 28
H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֗ה7 of 28

and all Judah

H3063

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

הֲלֹא֮8 of 28
H3808

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

יָרֵ֣א9 of 28

did he not fear

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

אֶת10 of 28
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 28

and the LORD

H3068

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

וַיְחַל֙12 of 28

and besought

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

אֶת13 of 28
H853

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

פְּנֵ֣י14 of 28
H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 28

and the LORD

H3068

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

וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם16 of 28

repented

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

יְהוָ֔ה17 of 28

and the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל18 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָעָ֥ה19 of 28

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֲשֶׁר20 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֣ר21 of 28

which he had pronounced

H1696

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

עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם22 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ23 of 28

against them Thus

H587

we

עֹשִׂ֛ים24 of 28

might we procure

H6213

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

רָעָ֥ה25 of 28

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

גְדוֹלָ֖ה26 of 28

great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַל27 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נַפְשׁוֹתֵֽינוּ׃28 of 28

against our souls

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 26:19 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 26:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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