King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:2 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worsh...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:”

Jeremiah 26:2 · KJV

Context

1

In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,

2

Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

3

If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

4

And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,

Read Jeremiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah—God commands Jeremiah to position himself in the temple courts, the central gathering place during pilgrimage festivals. The Hebrew amad (עָמַד, stand) suggests taking a firm, public stance, not hiding or equivocating. The audience includes all the cities of Judah, which come to worship—pilgrims from throughout the kingdom, ensuring maximum exposure for this urgent message.

All the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word—this prohibition against editorial reduction appears forcefully: al-tigra' davar (אַל־תִּגְרַע דָּבָר, do not diminish/reduce a word). Jeremiah must proclaim the complete message without softening its confrontation or omitting difficult parts. This command underscores Scripture's completeness—God's spokesmen have no authority to edit divine revelation to make it more palatable. The command anticipates Deuteronomy 4:2's warning against adding or subtracting from God's word and Revelation 22:18-19's similar prohibition. Faithful preaching requires declaring "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), not selective presentation that avoids offense.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The temple courts were the public forum for major religious announcements. During pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles), Jews from all Judah's towns gathered, creating the perfect opportunity for a national proclamation. Jeremiah's sermon (detailed in chapter 7) attacked false confidence in the temple's presence while ignoring God's moral demands. The people chanted "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD" (7:4) as though the building guaranteed protection regardless of their behavior. Jeremiah warned that God would destroy this temple just as He had destroyed Shiloh, the earlier sanctuary (7:12-14). This message was politically and religiously inflammatory. The priests and prophets had vested interests in maintaining temple prestige and popular confidence. Jeremiah's prophecy threatened their authority, income, and national security ideology. The command to "diminish not a word" meant Jeremiah couldn't soften the message to avoid conflict—he must deliver God's complete word despite certain persecution.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the command to "diminish not a word" teach about the preacher's responsibility to proclaim God's complete message, even when culturally offensive?
  2. How does the setting in the temple courts demonstrate that religious people often need the sharpest prophetic confrontation?
  3. In what ways might contemporary preachers be tempted to "diminish" God's word to avoid controversy or maintain popularity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 26
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר2 of 26

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 26

“in the LORD'S”

H3068

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

עֲמֹד֮4 of 26

“Stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בַּחֲצַ֣ר5 of 26

“in the court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

בֵּית6 of 26

“house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֔ה7 of 26

“in the LORD'S”

H3068

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

לְדַבֵּ֣ר8 of 26

“and speak”

H1696

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

עַל9 of 26
H5921

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

כָּל10 of 26
H3605

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

עָרֵ֣י11 of 26

“unto all the cities”

H5892

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

יְהוּדָ֗ה12 of 26

“of Judah”

H3063

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

הַבָּאִים֙13 of 26

“which come”

H935

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

לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֣ת14 of 26

“to worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

בֵּית15 of 26

“house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 26

“in the LORD'S”

H3068

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

אֵ֚ת17 of 26
H853

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

כָּל18 of 26
H3605

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

דָּבָֽר׃19 of 26

“all the words”

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 26
H834

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

צִוִּיתִ֖יךָ21 of 26

“that I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

לְדַבֵּ֣ר22 of 26

“and speak”

H1696

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

אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם23 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַל24 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּגְרַ֖ע25 of 26

“unto them diminish”

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

דָּבָֽר׃26 of 26

“all the words”

H1697

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

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 26:2 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 26:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:2Matthew 28:20Acts 20:27Jeremiah 19:14Jeremiah 1:17Acts 5:42

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