King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:6 in the King James Version says “Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

Jeremiah 26:6 · KJV

Context

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.

7

So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.

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.

Read Jeremiah 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then will I make this house like Shiloh—the threat references Israel's earlier central sanctuary at Shiloh, where the tabernacle stood during the judges' period. After Israel's corrupt priesthood under Eli's sons (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25) and their superstitious use of the ark as a good-luck charm (1 Samuel 4:3-11), God allowed the Philistines to destroy Shiloh (Psalm 78:60-64, Jeremiah 7:12-14). Archaeological evidence confirms Shiloh's violent destruction around 1050 BC. Invoking Shiloh demolishes false confidence that the temple's presence guaranteed Jerusalem's safety.

And will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth—qelalah (קְלָלָה, curse) means an object of execration, a proverbial example of divine judgment. Rather than being a blessing to nations as God intended (Genesis 12:3), Jerusalem would become a byword for God's wrath. This reverses the Abrahamic covenant's purpose and fulfills Deuteronomy 28:37's covenant curses: "Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations." The prophecy was literally fulfilled when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, making it a cautionary tale throughout the ancient Near East.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shiloh, located about 20 miles north of Jerusalem in Ephraim's territory, served as Israel's worship center for over 300 years (Joshua 18:1 through 1 Samuel 4). The priesthood became corrupt under Eli, and the people treated the ark superstitiously, carrying it into battle against the Philistines as though God's presence could be manipulated for military advantage. God allowed Israel's defeat, the ark's capture, and Shiloh's destruction—shocking the nation and demonstrating that God's presence cannot be presumed upon. By Jeremiah's time, Shiloh lay in ruins, a visible warning against presumptuous religion. Yet Judah repeated the same error, chanting "The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD" (7:4) as though the building's existence guaranteed protection regardless of their behavior. Jeremiah's invocation of Shiloh was inflammatory—tantamount to treason—but history vindicated him when Babylon razed Solomon's temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Shiloh reference demonstrate that religious structures and institutions cannot substitute for genuine covenant faithfulness?
  2. What does Jerusalem becoming "a curse to all nations" teach about the consequences of covenant people failing their mission to bless the world?
  3. In what ways might contemporary Christians presume upon God's presence or blessing while tolerating sin and disobedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אֶתֵּ֣ן1 of 13

“Then will I make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

הַבַּ֥יִת3 of 13

“this house”

H1004

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

הַזֶּ֖ה4 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כְּשִׁלֹ֑ה5 of 13

“like Shiloh”

H7887

shiloh, a place in palestine

וְאֶת6 of 13
H853

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

הָעִ֤יר7 of 13

“this city”

H5892

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

הַזֹּאת֙ה8 of 13
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֶתֵּ֣ן9 of 13

“Then will I make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִקְלָלָ֔ה10 of 13

“a curse”

H7045

vilification

לְכֹ֖ל11 of 13
H3605

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

גּוֹיֵ֥י12 of 13

“to all the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הָאָֽרֶץ׃13 of 13

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 26:6 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 26:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 22:19Jeremiah 24:9Isaiah 65:15Jeremiah 25:18Jeremiah 7:12-141 Samuel 4:10-12

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ShilohSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Seilun · 32.06°N, 35.29°E37 verses across 8 books
View all places in Jeremiah 26 →

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