Jeremiah 26:19

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls.

Did Hezekiah {H2396} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} and all Judah {H3063} put him at all {H4191} to death {H4191}? did he not fear {H3373} the LORD {H3068}, and besought {H2470} the LORD {H3068}{H6440}, and the LORD {H3068} repented {H5162} him of the evil {H7451} which he had pronounced {H1696} against them? Thus {H587} might we procure {H6213} great {H1419} evil {H7451} against our souls {H5315}.

"Did Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah and all Y'hudah put him to death? Not at all. Rather, he feared ADONAI, and prayed for ADONAI's favor; and ADONAI relented from the disaster he had pronounced against them. So [if we put Yirmeyahu to death,] we might bring great disaster on ourselves."

Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”

Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? did he not fear Jehovah, and entreat the favor of Jehovah, and Jehovah repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus should we commit great evil against our own souls.

Commentary

Jeremiah 26:19 serves as a powerful appeal from the elders and princes of Judah, who are defending the prophet Jeremiah against those seeking his death. They use a historical precedent from the reign of King Hezekiah to argue for Jeremiah's release, emphasizing the importance of heeding God's prophetic word and the dire consequences of rejecting it.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during a pivotal moment in Jeremiah's ministry, specifically in the early years of King Jehoiakim's reign (around 609-598 BC). Jeremiah had just delivered a scathing prophecy in the temple courts, declaring that Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed if the people did not repent (Jeremiah 26:6). This enraged the priests, prophets, and the general populace, who seized Jeremiah and demanded his execution.

In his defense, certain elders and princes recall the case of the prophet Micah, who prophesied during the time of the righteous King Hezekiah (c. 715-686 BC). Micah had also prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem, stating, "Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest" (Micah 3:12). Unlike Jehoiakim's contemporaries, King Hezekiah did not execute Micah. Instead, he responded with humility and repentance, a model of godly leadership that the elders urge Jehoiakim and the people to follow, demonstrating the benefit of Hezekiah's trust in the LORD.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Repentance and God's Relenting: The central argument is that when Hezekiah and the people feared the LORD and besought Him, God "repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them." This highlights God's compassionate nature and His willingness to turn from judgment when His people turn from their wickedness. It underscores that God's judgments are often conditional, intended to bring about repentance, not merely destruction.
  • The Fear of the LORD as Wisdom: Hezekiah's response is characterized by his "fear of the LORD." This is not a servile dread, but a profound reverence, respect, and obedience to God's word and His authority. This godly fear led to a humble petition rather than a violent reaction, demonstrating true wisdom, as the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Messengers: The verse concludes with a stark warning: "Thus might we procure great evil against our souls." The elders are cautioning that if they kill Jeremiah, they would be bringing a far greater judgment upon themselves than the destruction Jeremiah prophesied. Rejecting a prophet sent by God is tantamount to rejecting God Himself, inviting severe divine retribution.
  • Divine Justice and Human Responsibility: The narrative illustrates the principle that human actions (repentance or rejection) directly influence divine responses. God's justice is not arbitrary but is intertwined with humanity's moral choices.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD repented him of the evil" (KJV) uses the Hebrew word nacham (נָחַם). This term does not imply that God has changed His mind in the human sense of regretting a mistake. Instead, it signifies God's deep compassion and His decision to alter His course of action concerning a declared judgment, based on a change in human behavior (i.e., repentance). It reflects God's freedom and His interactive relationship with His creation, demonstrating His mercy when people turn from their sin.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 26:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the critical importance of responding to God's word with humility and repentance, even when that word is challenging or confronts our comfortable norms. Just as Hezekiah's generation averted disaster through sincere turning to God, so too can individuals and communities experience God's mercy when they acknowledge their sin and seek His forgiveness. Furthermore, it serves as a warning against rejecting those whom God sends to speak truth, emphasizing that such rejection ultimately brings harm to one's own soul. We are called to discern and embrace God's truth, leading to life rather than judgment.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 32:14

    And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

  • 2 Samuel 24:16

    And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:6

    For our fathers have trespassed, and done [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned [their] backs.

  • 2 Chronicles 29:11

    My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.

  • Isaiah 37:15

    And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,

  • Isaiah 37:20

    Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

  • Acts 5:39

    But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.