King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 26:4 Mean?
“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,”
Jeremiah 26:4 · KJV
Context
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,
5
To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
6
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd 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—the message begins with a conditional warning. Shama' (שָׁמַע, hearken) means not merely to hear but to heed and obey. To walk in my law uses halak (הָלַךְ, walk) plus torah (תּוֹרָה, law/instruction), emphasizing practical obedience as a lifestyle, not mere intellectual acknowledgment.
Which I have set before you—the phrase natati lipnekem (נָתַתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם, I have set/placed before you) recalls Moses' covenant language: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing" (Deuteronomy 30:19). God's law isn't hidden or obscure; He has clearly revealed His requirements. Israel's failure stems not from ignorance but from willful disobedience. This sets up the sermon's devastating indictment: they cannot plead ignorance or claim the law was too difficult. God provided clear instruction; they simply refused to obey. The conditional "if" offers mercy—repentance remains possible—but introduces consequences if they continue in rebellion. Verses 5-6 spell out those consequences.
Which I have set before you—the phrase natati lipnekem (נָתַתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם, I have set/placed before you) recalls Moses' covenant language: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing" (Deuteronomy 30:19). God's law isn't hidden or obscure; He has clearly revealed His requirements. Israel's failure stems not from ignorance but from willful disobedience. This sets up the sermon's devastating indictment: they cannot plead ignorance or claim the law was too difficult. God provided clear instruction; they simply refused to obey. The conditional "if" offers mercy—repentance remains possible—but introduces consequences if they continue in rebellion. Verses 5-6 spell out those consequences.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Jeremiah's ministry occurred after Josiah's reformation (2 Kings 22-23), when the lost Book of the Law was discovered and the nation heard God's covenant demands read publicly. The people knew what God required—they had heard the law, witnessed Josiah's reforms, and experienced covenant renewal. Yet Jehoiakim deliberately reversed those reforms, reintroduced idolatry, and oppressed the vulnerable. This made their sin inexcusable. God had "set before" them His clear requirements, and they consciously chose rebellion. The law Jeremiah referenced wasn't merely ritual regulations but the comprehensive covenant demands summarized in Deuteronomy 6-11: exclusive worship of Yahweh, justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus later condemned similar hypocrisy in religious leaders who knew Scripture but didn't obey it (Matthew 23:3, 23). Paul likewise emphasized that possessing the law without doing it brings judgment, not exemption (Romans 2:12-13).
Reflection Questions
- What does the phrase "walk in my law" teach about the relationship between knowledge and obedience?
- How does God's statement "which I have set before you" eliminate excuses based on ignorance or the law's difficulty?
- In what ways might contemporary Christians treat God's word like ancient Judah did—possessing it, hearing it, but not obeying it?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsכֹּ֖ה3 of 14
H3541properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אִם6 of 14
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א7 of 14
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמְעוּ֙8 of 14
“If ye will not hearken”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 14
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֖תִּי13 of 14
“which I have set”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵיכֶֽם׃14 of 14
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
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 26:4 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 26:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge