Jeremiah 26:15

KJV

But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

KJV (with Strong's)

But know {H3045} ye for certain {H3045}, that if ye put me to death {H4191}, ye shall surely bring {H5414} innocent {H5355} blood {H1818} upon yourselves, and upon this city {H5892}, and upon the inhabitants {H3427} thereof: for of a truth {H571} the LORD {H3068} hath sent {H7971} me unto you to speak {H1696} all these words {H1697} in your ears {H241}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on its inhabitants; because the fact is that ADONAI sent me to you to speak all these words, so that you could hear them."

Berean Standard Bible

But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.”

American Standard Version

Only know ye for certain that, if ye put me to death, ye will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth Jehovah hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 26:15 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet's ministry, where he stands before hostile religious and civic leaders, boldly asserting his divine mandate. Facing a death sentence for his prophecies of Jerusalem's destruction, Jeremiah issues a solemn warning: executing him, an innocent messenger, would bring devastating corporate guilt and divine judgment upon the city and its inhabitants. This verse powerfully underscores the gravity of rejecting God's word delivered through His chosen prophet, highlighting the severe consequences of silencing truth and shedding innocent blood.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 26:15 is situated within a dramatic narrative detailing Jeremiah's trial before the officials and people of Judah. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 26:1-6) describe Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon," where he prophesied the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, echoing themes found in [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon"). This message, perceived as blasphemous and treasonous, immediately provoked the priests, prophets, and the people to seize him and demand his execution (Jeremiah 26:7-9). Verses 10-14 detail the assembly of princes and the charges brought against Jeremiah. In verse 15, Jeremiah delivers his defense, not by denying his words, but by affirming their divine origin and warning of the consequences of his death. The narrative then continues to describe how the princes and elders ultimately defend Jeremiah, leading to his acquittal, in part by recalling the precedent of Micah's prophecy (Jeremiah 26:16-24).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event occurred early in the reign of King Jehoiakim (c. 609-598 BC), a period marked by political instability and spiritual apostasy in Judah. Following the death of Josiah, a reforming king, Jehoiakim reversed many of his father's reforms, leading the nation back into idolatry and injustice. The people, including religious leaders, clung to a false sense of security, believing that the presence of the Temple guaranteed God's protection, a notion Jeremiah vehemently challenged (cf. [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple")). In ancient Israel, a prophet who spoke falsely was to be put to death (cf. [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - The False Prophet")), but conversely, harming a true prophet of the Lord was a grave offense, considered an act of rebellion against God Himself. The concept of "innocent blood" carried immense weight, implying a defilement of the land that demanded divine retribution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **divine authority of Jeremiah's prophetic message**; he is explicitly a messenger "sent" by the Lord, not speaking his own words. Secondly, it underscores the **perilous nature of prophetic ministry**, especially when the message is unpopular or confronts societal sin, demonstrating the fierce resistance God's truth can encounter. Thirdly, it emphasizes the **principle of corporate responsibility and judgment**; the shedding of innocent blood would bring guilt not just upon individuals but upon the entire city and its inhabitants. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's unwavering justice and the inevitable consequences of rejecting His warnings**, a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Judah's impending exile and destruction (e.g., [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_ - H3045):** This verb, repeated emphatically in the Hebrew ("know ye for certain" - _yadoa ted'u_), signifies not merely intellectual apprehension but a deep, experiential, and undeniable certainty. Jeremiah is not suggesting they consider a possibility, but demanding they recognize an absolute truth. It implies a call to acknowledge, be aware of, and comprehend the gravity of the situation and the divine origin of his message.
* **Innocent Blood (Hebrew, _dâm nâqîy_ - H1818, H5355):** The term "blood" (_dâm_) refers to life itself, and its shedding implies death. "Innocent" (_nâqîy_) means blameless, guiltless, or clean. Together, "innocent blood" denotes the life of someone wrongfully killed, free from any offense deserving death. The shedding of such blood was considered a grave defilement of the land and the community, demanding divine retribution and bringing corporate guilt, as seen in various Old Testament laws and narratives (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:10](/deuteronomy/19-10 "Prohibition of Innocent Blood")).
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shâlach_ - H7971):** This primitive root means "to send away, for, or out." In this context, it unequivocally declares Jeremiah's divine commission. It's not a self-appointed mission but a direct assignment from the Lord (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh). This assertion is foundational to Jeremiah's defense, shifting the responsibility from himself to the God who commanded him, making their rejection of him a direct rejection of the Almighty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death,"**: Jeremiah begins with a powerful, emphatic declaration, demanding absolute certainty from his accusers. He directly addresses the threat against his life, acknowledging their power to execute him, but immediately frames this potential act within a larger divine context. The phrase "put me to death" (_mûwth_) highlights the ultimate consequence they are contemplating.
* **"ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof:"**: This is the core warning. Jeremiah asserts that his death would not be merely a political execution but the shedding of "innocent blood." This act would incur not just individual guilt but a corporate curse upon the entire community – "yourselves," "this city," and "the inhabitants thereof." The phrase "surely bring" (_nâthan_) emphasizes the inevitable and certain consequence of their actions, a direct divine judgment for such a grave sin.
* **"for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears."**: This final clause provides the irrefutable justification for Jeremiah's warning and the basis of his innocence. He is not a false prophet or a traitor, but a divinely appointed messenger. The phrase "of a truth" (_ʼemeth_) underscores the veracity and trustworthiness of his divine commission. He emphasizes that the message he delivered was not his own, but "all these words" that the Lord (Yᵉhôvâh) commanded him "to speak... in your ears," implying that they have heard and are accountable for what they have heard.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 26:15 is rich in **Prophetic Declaration**, functioning as a direct, authoritative pronouncement from God's messenger to His people. The phrase "know ye for certain" employs an **Infinitive Absolute** construction in Hebrew, creating intense **Emphasis** and underscoring the undeniable truth and certainty of Jeremiah's warning. This serves as a rhetorical device to command attention and convey the gravity of the potential action. The concept of "innocent blood" is a powerful **Metonymy** where "blood" stands for "life" and "death," specifically an unjust killing. It also carries strong **Legal and Covenantal Language**, evoking the severe consequences outlined in Israelite law for such an offense. The entire verse functions as a form of **Conditional Prophecy**, where the outcome (bringing innocent blood upon themselves) is contingent on their action (putting him to death), though the divine sending of Jeremiah is an absolute truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 26:15 profoundly illustrates the sanctity of divine revelation and the profound responsibility of those who receive it. It teaches that God's messengers, when truly sent by Him, speak with His authority, and to reject or harm them is to reject God Himself. The concept of "innocent blood" carries immense theological weight, representing a violation of God's justice and the defilement of His creation, demanding divine retribution. This verse underscores the principle of corporate accountability, where the actions of leaders and the consent of the people can bring collective judgment upon a nation. It also highlights God's patience and persistent warning through His prophets, even in the face of severe opposition, demonstrating His desire for repentance before judgment.

* [Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah"): This verse shows that Jeremiah was ultimately protected from immediate execution by Ahikam, preventing the direct shedding of his innocent blood at this specific moment, though the threat remained throughout his ministry.
* [Lamentations 4:13](/lamentations/4-13 "Lamentations 4:13 - The Blood of Prophets in Jerusalem's Fall"): This later reflection on Jerusalem's destruction explicitly links the city's fall to the "blood of the prophets" shed within her, demonstrating the fulfillment of the principle Jeremiah warned about.
* [Matthew 23:34](/matthew/23-34 "Matthew 23:34-36 - Jesus on Jerusalem's Rejection of Prophets"): Jesus echoes Jeremiah's warning, pronouncing judgment on Jerusalem for persecuting and killing the prophets, culminating in the shedding of "all the righteous blood shed on earth," connecting the Old Testament pattern to His own impending rejection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 26:15 stands as a timeless challenge to how we respond to God's truth, especially when it is uncomfortable or confronts our cherished norms. It calls us to discern the authentic voice of God, whether through Scripture, faithful preaching, or wise counsel, and to receive it with humility, even when it demands repentance or challenges our comfort zones. The verse reminds us that there are profound spiritual consequences for rejecting divine warnings and for actively silencing those who speak God's truth. For us today, it prompts self-examination: Are we open to correction from God's Word, or do we, like the leaders of Judah, seek to silence messages that expose our sin or disrupt our self-sufficiency? Furthermore, it encourages us to stand firm in our faith and convictions, even when facing opposition, knowing that our ultimate allegiance is to God who sent us, and that faithfulness to Him is paramount.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resistant to God's truth because it challenges my comfort or desires?**
* **How does Jeremiah's courage in the face of death inspire my own willingness to speak or live out God's truth in difficult circumstances?**
* **What are the "innocent blood" issues in our society today that the Church is called to speak against, even if unpopular?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater openness to God's Word, even when it is a word of rebuke or correction?**

### FAQ

**Why is "innocent blood" so significant in this verse and in biblical thought?**

Answer: "Innocent blood" (Hebrew: *dam naqi*) refers to the shedding of a blameless person's life, someone who has committed no offense worthy of death. In biblical thought, blood represents life, and its unjust shedding is a profound violation of God's moral order and the sanctity of life. It defiles the land and the community, demanding divine retribution. God is the ultimate giver of life, and to take an innocent life usurps His authority and cries out for justice. This concept is deeply rooted in the Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:10](/deuteronomy/19-10 "Prohibition of Innocent Blood")), where the shedding of innocent blood brings corporate guilt upon a nation, often leading to severe judgment like exile or destruction, as ultimately befell Jerusalem (cf. [Lamentations 4:13](/lamentations/4-13 "The Blood of Prophets in Jerusalem's Fall")).

**What was the specific message Jeremiah delivered that provoked such a severe reaction?**

Answer: Jeremiah's message, delivered in the Temple court (Jeremiah 26:1-6), was a prophecy that God would destroy the Temple and make Jerusalem "a desolation," just as He had done to Shiloh (cf. [Jeremiah 7:12-14](/jeremiah/7-12 "God's Judgment on Shiloh and the Temple")). This message directly challenged the people's false security in the Temple's presence, which they believed guaranteed God's protection regardless of their sin. To prophesy the destruction of the Temple was considered blasphemy and treason against the nation's religious and political foundations, leading the priests, prophets, and people to demand his execution (Jeremiah 26:8-9).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 26:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, an innocent prophet sent by the Lord, faced a death sentence for speaking God's truth, warning of judgment for unrepentant sin. This foreshadows Jesus, the ultimate and perfectly innocent Prophet, who was truly "sent... of a truth the LORD hath sent me" (cf. [John 8:42](/john/8-42 "John 8:42 - Jesus Sent by the Father")). He too spoke God's words, confronting the religious establishment and warning Jerusalem of impending judgment for its rejection of Him and the prophets who came before Him (e.g., [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). The leaders of His day, like those who opposed Jeremiah, sought to "put [Him] to death" (cf. [John 11:53](/john/11-53 "John 11:53 - Council Decides to Kill Jesus")). Yet, the shedding of Jesus' "innocent blood" (cf. [Matthew 27:4](/matthew/27-4 "Matthew 27:4 - Judas's Confession of Innocent Blood")) served a redemptive purpose far beyond Jeremiah's warning. While Jeremiah's death would have brought judgment, Christ's death, though a result of human sin and injustice, became the means of salvation. His shed blood, the ultimate innocent blood, atones for the sins of the world, offering forgiveness and reconciliation rather than condemnation for those who believe (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses Conscience")). Thus, the pattern of God sending His messenger, the messenger being rejected, and the shedding of innocent blood culminates in Christ, whose sacrifice transforms the consequence of judgment into the promise of eternal life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 35:33

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye [are]: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Proverbs 6:17

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Matthew 26:25

Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

Jeremiah 7:6

[If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:

Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Jeremiah 22:3

Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Acts 7:60

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.