Jeremiah 26:21

KJV

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;

KJV (with Strong's)

And when Jehoiakim {H3079} the king {H4428}, with all his mighty men {H1368}, and all the princes {H8269}, heard {H8085} his words {H1697}, the king {H4428} sought {H1245} to put him to death {H4191}: but when Urijah {H223} heard {H8085} it, he was afraid {H3372}, and fled {H1272}, and went {H935} into Egypt {H4714};

Complete Jewish Bible

When Y'hoyakim the king, with all his military men and other officials, heard what he was saying, the king wanted to have him killed. On hearing of this, Uriyahu became frightened, fled and went to Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.

American Standard Version

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 26:21 powerfully depicts the perilous reality of prophetic ministry in Judah under King Jehoiakim's oppressive rule. Following the prophet Urijah's delivery of a divine message of judgment, strikingly similar to Jeremiah's own, King Jehoiakim, supported by his powerful officials, reacted with murderous intent. Upon learning of the king's deadly pursuit, Urijah, gripped by fear, fled to Egypt, seeking refuge from a monarch determined to silence God's uncomfortable truth. This verse vividly underscores the extreme hostility faced by God's messengers and the lengths to which unrepentant leaders would go to suppress divine warnings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 26 is a pivotal chapter, detailing a dramatic confrontation between Jeremiah and the religious and political establishment of Judah. Jeremiah's prophecy, delivered in the temple court, warns that Jerusalem and the Temple will suffer the fate of Shiloh if the people do not repent, a message that incites a furious demand for his execution. This immediate context of a prophet on trial for his life sets the stage for the narrative of Urijah, which serves as a stark parallel and a cautionary tale. The mention of Urijah’s persecution and death (fully detailed in [Jeremiah 26:22-23](/jeremiah/26-22-23 "Jeremiah 26:22-23 - Urijah's Capture and Execution")) acts as a historical precedent, highlighting the real danger Jeremiah faced and emphasizing the king's consistent pattern of rejecting divine messages and persecuting their bearers. The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's miraculous deliverance through the intervention of Ahikam ([Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")), contrasting sharply with Urijah's tragic end and underscoring God's sovereign protection over His chosen servants, even amidst severe threats.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BCE) was characterized by political instability, moral decay, and a defiant rejection of God's commands. He was a puppet king installed by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt after the death of his father, Josiah, a righteous king. Jehoiakim's pro-Egyptian stance and his oppressive rule are well-documented (cf. [Jeremiah 22:13-19](/jeremiah/22-13-19 "Jeremiah 22:13-19 - Judgment on Jehoiakim")). The cultural expectation was that prophets spoke on behalf of Yahweh, but their messages were often unpopular, especially when they challenged the status quo or condemned royal policies. Kings held immense power, and opposition to their will was often met with severe punishment, including death. Fleeing to Egypt was a common recourse for those seeking political asylum or refuge from persecution in Judah, reflecting Egypt's historical role as a sanctuary, though not always a safe one (cf. [Jeremiah 43:7](/jeremiah/43-7 "Jeremiah 43:7 - Flight to Egypt")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **persecution of God's messengers**, a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books. Urijah's experience, mirroring Jeremiah's plight in this chapter, underscores the inherent danger of speaking God's truth to unrepentant power. It highlights the **rejection of divine warning** by King Jehoiakim and the ruling elite, who, rather than heeding the call to repentance, sought to eliminate the messenger. This defiance ultimately led to the very judgment the prophets foretold. Furthermore, Urijah's fear and flight to Egypt introduce the theme of **human vulnerability and the limits of self-preservation** in the face of overwhelming evil. While understandable, his attempt to escape ultimately proved futile, contrasting with Jeremiah's steadfastness and God's ultimate protection over him (as seen in [Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")), thereby emphasizing the sovereignty of God's plan and the ultimate futility of human attempts to thwart His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** H1245, a primitive root meaning "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after; ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for)." In this context, the king's "seeking" is not a benign inquiry but an active, determined pursuit with a clear, malevolent intent: to "put him to death." It conveys a deliberate and relentless effort to apprehend Urijah.
* **mighty men (Hebrew, _gibbôwr'_):** H1368, an intensive form meaning "powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant; champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man." The presence of Jehoiakim's "mighty men" signifies the full weight of royal authority and military force brought to bear against a single prophet. It emphasizes the king's absolute power and his readiness to use all available resources to enforce his will and eliminate perceived threats.
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_):** H1272, a primitive root meaning "to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly; chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot." This word vividly describes Urijah's immediate and desperate reaction to the mortal threat. It conveys a sense of urgency and a sudden, panicked escape, highlighting the extreme fear that gripped him in the face of the king's deadly pursuit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words,"**: This clause establishes the audience and their collective reaction to Urijah's prophetic message. The phrase "all his mighty men, and all the princes" emphasizes the unified and powerful opposition Urijah faced, representing the full force of the royal court and military establishment. Their hearing of "his words" (referring to Urijah's prophecy, which was similar in content to Jeremiah's) signifies that the message was clearly delivered and understood, leaving no room for misinterpretation of their subsequent actions.
* **"the king sought to put him to death:"**: This is the core of the king's response, revealing his immediate and lethal intent. Jehoiakim's desire to "put him to death" rather than consider the divine warning demonstrates his hardened heart and utter contempt for God's message and messenger. This is a direct act of tyranny, seeking to silence truth through violence and eliminate any challenge to his authority.
* **"but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;"**: This clause details Urijah's reaction to the king's murderous intent. His fear is a natural human response to such a grave threat, indicating the profound personal danger he faced. His subsequent actions—fleeing and going to Egypt—indicate a desperate attempt to escape the king's wrath and preserve his life. Egypt, being a foreign land and a traditional place of refuge, was seen as a potential sanctuary from the reach of the Judean king, though as later verses reveal, it proved to be a temporary and ultimately futile escape.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is evident in the opposing actions of the king and the prophet: Jehoiakim's aggressive pursuit of death versus Urijah's fearful flight for life. This highlights the stark power imbalance and the ruthless nature of the king. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as Urijah's fate (fully revealed in the subsequent verses of [Jeremiah 26:22-23](/jeremiah/26-22-23 "Jeremiah 26:22-23 - Urijah's Capture and Execution")) foreshadows the dangers Jeremiah himself faces and the ultimate judgment that will befall Judah for its rejection of God's word. The mention of "mighty men" and "princes" serves as **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the overwhelming force arrayed against a single individual, thereby amplifying the king's tyranny and the prophet's vulnerability. Finally, the narrative functions as a **Parallelism** to Jeremiah's own experience in the chapter, reinforcing the theme of prophetic persecution and the divine protection that, in Jeremiah's case, ultimately prevailed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 26:21 powerfully illustrates the enduring conflict between divine truth and human rebellion, particularly when that rebellion is embodied in unrighteous authority. The king's immediate desire to execute Urijah, rather than repent, reveals a heart deeply entrenched in sin and hostile to God's word. This rejection of the prophet is, in essence, a rejection of God Himself. The verse underscores the cost of faithfulness for God's messengers, who often face persecution and even death for delivering uncomfortable truths. It also highlights the sovereignty of God, whose word, despite human attempts to silence it, will ultimately stand and be fulfilled, even if it means the tragic end of a messenger. Urijah's flight, though born of fear, reminds us that even faithful servants are human and vulnerable, yet God's purposes are not thwarted by human weakness or the machinations of wicked rulers.

* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jerusalem, Jerusalem, You Who Kill the Prophets")
* [Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Which of the Prophets Did Your Fathers Not Persecute?")
* [Hebrews 11:37-38](/hebrews/11-37-38 "Hebrews 11:37-38 - Persecution of the Faithful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 26:21 serves as a sobering reminder that faithfully proclaiming God's truth can be met with fierce opposition, particularly from those whose power or comfort is threatened by it. Urijah's story challenges us to consider the courage required to stand for what is right, even when it is deeply unpopular or puts us at personal risk. While Urijah's fear and flight are understandable human responses to mortal danger, his ultimate fate (as revealed in subsequent verses) reminds us that true security is found not in human escape plans but in God's sovereign protection and purposes. This passage calls believers to cultivate a deep trust in God's providence, even when facing overwhelming opposition, and to remember that the message of God's word is more enduring than any earthly power. It also prompts us to reflect on our own hearts: do we welcome prophetic challenge and correction, or do we, like Jehoiakim, seek to silence voices that expose our sin or discomfort?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Urijah's flight to Egypt reveal about the human experience of fear in the face of severe persecution, and how might this inform our understanding of courage and reliance on God?**
* **How does King Jehoiakim's reaction to Urijah's prophecy challenge us to examine our own responses when confronted with uncomfortable truths or divine correction from God's Word?**
* **In what ways might believers today be called to speak truth to power, and what lessons can we draw from Urijah's story about the potential costs and the ultimate source of security in God's plan?**

### FAQ
**Why did Urijah flee to Egypt, and was this a wise decision?**

Answer: Urijah fled to Egypt out of profound fear for his life, seeking refuge from King Jehoiakim's murderous intent. Egypt was a traditional place of asylum for those fleeing persecution in Judah, offering a degree of political distance and a perceived safe haven. However, as the subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 26:22-23](/jeremiah/26-22-23 "Jeremiah 26:22-23 - Urijah's Capture and Execution")) tragically reveal, his flight was ultimately unsuccessful. Jehoiakim sent men to retrieve him, and Urijah was brought back to Judah and executed. This demonstrates the pervasive reach of Jehoiakim's tyranny and suggests that while human instinct might lead one to seek safety through escape, true protection ultimately rests with God. It highlights the futility of escaping God's ordained message or the consequences of defying it, even for the messenger.

**How does Urijah's story relate to Jeremiah's experience in this same chapter?**

Answer: Urijah's story serves as a stark parallel and a cautionary tale within [Jeremiah 26](/jeremiah/26 "Jeremiah 26 - Jeremiah's Prophecy in the Temple"). Both prophets delivered messages of judgment against Judah and the Temple, incurring the wrath of the king and the people. Their messages were divinely appointed and deeply unpopular. While Urijah was apprehended and executed, Jeremiah was miraculously protected by Ahikam, the son of Shaphan (see [Jeremiah 26:24](/jeremiah/26-24 "Jeremiah 26:24 - Ahikam Protects Jeremiah")). This dramatic contrast underscores the real and mortal danger faced by prophets who spoke God's truth to power, and it powerfully highlights God's sovereign hand in protecting His chosen servants, even when others fall. Urijah's fate emphasizes the severity of the threat Jeremiah faced and magnifies the divine intervention that preserved Jeremiah's life for further ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 26:21, with its depiction of a prophet persecuted and pursued to death for speaking God's word, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Urijah, like many Old Testament prophets, stands as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the ultimate Prophet who would come to deliver God's definitive message. Just as Jehoiakim sought to silence Urijah, the religious and political authorities of Jesus' day sought to silence Him, perceiving His truth as a threat to their power and traditions (cf. [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), did not flee from His pursuers but willingly laid down His life, fulfilling the prophecies of a suffering servant (cf. [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")). While Urijah's flight to Egypt ultimately led back to his demise, Jesus' journey to the cross was a deliberate act of obedience, culminating in His resurrection, which vindicated His message and established His eternal kingdom. The rejection of Urijah's words by Jehoiakim foreshadows the world's rejection of Christ, yet through His death and resurrection, God's word of salvation and judgment was ultimately established, proving that no earthly power can ultimately thwart the divine plan (cf. [Acts 4:10-12](/acts/4-10-12 "Acts 4:10-12 - Salvation in No Other Name")).

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

Matthew 10:23

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Jeremiah 36:26

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

2 Chronicles 16:10

Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa oppressed [some] of the people the same time.

Matthew 14:5

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Mark 6:19

Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

1 Kings 19:1

¶ And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.

1 Kings 19:3

And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.