Jeremiah 17:19

ยถ Thus said the LORD unto me; Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Thus said {H559} the LORD {H3068} unto me; Go {H1980} and stand {H5975} in the gate {H8179} of the children {H1121} of the people {H5971}, whereby the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063} come in {H935}, and by the which they go out {H3318}, and in all the gates {H8179} of Jerusalem {H3389};

Then ADONAI said this to me: "Go, and stand at the People's Gate, where the kings of Y'hudah go in and out, and at all the gates of Yerushalayim;

This is what the LORD said to me: โ€œGo and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem.

Thus said Jehovah unto me: Go, and stand in the gate of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem;

Commentary

Jeremiah 17:19 records a specific, direct command from the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to take a highly visible and public stance to deliver God's message.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry during a critical period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapters 17 and 18 often address Judah's deep-seated sin of idolatry and their reliance on human strength rather than God. The LORD's instruction for Jeremiah to "Go and stand in the gate" sets the stage for a crucial public proclamation, primarily concerning the observance of the Sabbath, as revealed in the subsequent verses (Jeremiah 17:21-27). The gates of ancient cities like Jerusalem were not merely entry points but bustling centers of commerce, legal proceedings, and public gatherings. By commanding Jeremiah to stand there, God ensured His message would reach the widest possible audience, including the kingdom's leadership.

Key Themes

  • Divine Commission: The phrase "Thus said the LORD unto me" underscores that Jeremiah's actions and words are not his own but a direct mandate from God, affirming his prophetic calling.
  • Public Proclamation: God explicitly instructs Jeremiah to deliver His message in the most public and prominent locationsโ€”"the gate of the children of the people" and "all the gates of Jerusalem." This emphasizes that God's word is meant for all to hear, not just a select few.
  • Universal Accountability: The specific mention of "whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out" highlights that God's message, and the call to repentance, applies equally to the highest authorities and the common citizens. No one is exempt from divine scrutiny or the need for obedience.
  • Importance of God's Law: This public staging is a prelude to a message primarily about the Sabbath, a foundational aspect of the Mosaic Covenant and a sign of Israel's relationship with God (Exodus 31:13). It underscores the importance of upholding God's commandments for national well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "gate" is sha'ar (ืฉืขืจ). In ancient Near Eastern cities, the sha'ar was far more than a physical entrance; it was the hub of civic life. Legal judgments were rendered there, business transactions conducted, and public announcements made. Jeremiah's assignment to this location signifies the gravity and public nature of the message he was to deliver, ensuring maximum exposure.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 17:19 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • Boldness in Proclaiming Truth: Like Jeremiah, believers are called to share God's truth boldly, even when it is uncomfortable or confronts societal norms.
  • God's Word for All: God's messages are universal, applicable to leaders and ordinary people alike. There is no hierarchy in accountability before Him.
  • The Significance of Obedience: The impending message about the Sabbath highlights that adherence to God's principles is crucial for individual and collective flourishing. Disobedience carries consequences.

This verse sets the stage for a critical call to repentance and reminds us of the prophet's vital role as God's messenger to a wayward people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 26:2

    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:

  • Jeremiah 7:2

    Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

  • Proverbs 8:1

    ยถ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

  • Jeremiah 36:6

    Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

  • Proverbs 9:3

    She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,

  • Acts 5:20

    Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

  • Proverbs 1:20

    ยถ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
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