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:

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Stand {H5975} in the court {H2691} of the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004}, and speak {H1696} unto all the cities {H5892} of Judah {H3063}, which come {H935} to worship {H7812} in the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004}, all the words {H1697} that I command {H6680} thee to speak {H1696} unto them; diminish {H1639} not a word {H1697}:

"ADONAI says: 'Stand in the courtyard of ADONAI's house and speak to the people from all the cities in Y'hudah who come to worship at ADONAI's house; say everything I order you to say to them, and don't leave out a word.

“This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the house of the LORD and speak all the words I have commanded you to speak to all the cities of Judah who come to worship there. Do not omit a word.

Thus saith Jehovah: Stand in the court of Jehovah’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Jehovah’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word.

Commentary

Jeremiah 26:2 presents a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, highlighting his divine mandate to speak God's unvarnished truth to a rebellious nation.

Context

This verse opens a significant chapter in Jeremiah's life, detailing a dramatic confrontation at the Temple in Jerusalem during the early reign of King Jehoiakim (circa 609-598 BC). Jeremiah is commanded by the LORD to stand in the highly visible court of the LORD'S house – a public and sacred space where people from "all the cities of Judah" would gather to worship. This setting ensures that his message would reach a wide audience, including pilgrims and religious leaders. The broader context of Jeremiah 26 shows that this message was one of severe warning, calling for repentance to avert the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, a fate similar to that of Shiloh (Jeremiah 26:6).

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Mandate: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" immediately establishes that Jeremiah's words are not his own, but a direct utterance from God. This underscores the prophet's role as a messenger, not an originator of the message.
  • Uncompromising Truth: The command, "diminish not a word," is central. It emphasizes the absolute necessity of delivering God's message completely and without alteration, softening, or fear of human opposition. This is a powerful call to prophetic integrity and faithfulness.
  • Call to Public Proclamation: Standing in the Temple court signifies that God's message was meant for all people, not just a select few. It was a public declaration of accountability to the entire nation.
  • Urgency of Repentance: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the command to speak "all the words that I command thee" implies a message of warning and an urgent call for the people of Judah to turn from their wicked ways.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "diminish not a word" is lo' tigra' davar (לֹא תִגְרַע דָּבָר). The verb gara' (גָּרַע) means "to hold back, lessen, subtract, or withdraw." Its inclusion here highlights the severe prohibition against any form of self-censorship or compromise on the part of the prophet. Jeremiah was to deliver the full, unedited divine message, regardless of its unpopularity or the personal danger it might entail.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 26:2 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Faithfulness in Proclaiming God's Word: Like Jeremiah, those who share God's truth are called to do so without compromise. This applies to pastors, teachers, and every believer in their spheres of influence. We are not to dilute or distort the Gospel message to make it more palatable.
  • Courage in the Face of Opposition: Jeremiah faced immense hostility for his message, yet he was commanded to speak everything. This verse encourages believers to have courage when proclaiming truth, even when it is unpopular or challenging.
  • Importance of Hearing God's Word: For the audience, the command "diminish not a word" implies that they were to listen attentively to the entire message, not just the parts they preferred. This reminds us to receive all of God's Word with an open heart, even its convicting parts.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:2

    Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

  • Acts 20:27

    For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

  • Matthew 28:20

    Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

  • Jeremiah 1:17

    Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

  • Jeremiah 19:14

    Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,

  • Acts 20:20

    [And] how I kept back nothing that was profitable [unto you], but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

  • Acts 5:42

    And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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