King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 26:7 Mean?
“So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.”
Jeremiah 26:7 · KJV
Context
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.
9
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentarySo the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD—the verse identifies three groups who heard Jeremiah's sermon: religious professionals (priests and prophets) and the general populace. All witnessed his message in the temple courts, the most public and sacred space in the nation. The Hebrew shama' (שָׁמַע, heard) indicates they received the message—their subsequent reaction (v. 8) proves they understood his meaning.
The priests had vested interest in maintaining temple prestige—their livelihood, authority, and social position depended on it. The prophets (false prophets, as context shows) promised peace and prosperity, contradicting Jeremiah's warnings. The people likely wanted reassurance, not confrontation. This alignment of religious establishment against God's true word anticipates the opposition Jesus faced from chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. In both cases, institutional religion resisted prophetic challenge, preferring comfortable falsehood to uncomfortable truth. The setting in the house of the LORD creates bitter irony—the very place dedicated to God's worship becomes the site of rebellion against His word.
The priests had vested interest in maintaining temple prestige—their livelihood, authority, and social position depended on it. The prophets (false prophets, as context shows) promised peace and prosperity, contradicting Jeremiah's warnings. The people likely wanted reassurance, not confrontation. This alignment of religious establishment against God's true word anticipates the opposition Jesus faced from chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. In both cases, institutional religion resisted prophetic challenge, preferring comfortable falsehood to uncomfortable truth. The setting in the house of the LORD creates bitter irony—the very place dedicated to God's worship becomes the site of rebellion against His word.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The priests descended from Aaron and served the temple through hereditary office. By Jehoiakim's reign, many had become corrupt, profiting from their positions while neglecting justice and true worship (Jeremiah 6:13-15, 8:10-12). The "prophets" mentioned here were professionals who delivered messages people wanted to hear, promising peace when judgment loomed (6:14, 8:11, 14:13-16, 23:16-17). They opposed Jeremiah because his message threatened their credibility and income. The people, influenced by these false leaders, preferred comforting lies to hard truth. This created a religiously sanctioned rebellion against God—the most dangerous kind. When religious authorities unite against God's word, the faithful prophet stands alone, as Jeremiah did and as Jesus later experienced. The parallel to Jesus is striking: both spoke in the temple, both confronted religious hypocrisy, both faced death threats from religious leaders (v. 8), and both were ultimately vindicated by events.
Reflection Questions
- Why are religious professionals sometimes the most resistant to God's true word?
- What does the irony of opposing God's word "in the house of the LORD" reveal about the danger of institutional religion divorced from genuine faith?
- How can we discern between true prophetic voices and popular false teachers who tell people what they want to hear?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 13 wordsוַֽיִּשְׁמְע֛וּ1 of 13
“heard”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים2 of 13
“So the priests”
H3548literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְכָל4 of 13
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֑ם5 of 13
“and all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶֽת6 of 13
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְדַבֵּ֛ר8 of 13
“speaking”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֶת9 of 13
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֥ים10 of 13
“these words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּבֵ֥ית12 of 13
“in the house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃13 of 13
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
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 26:7 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 26:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge