Jeremiah 27:18

But if they [be] prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and [in] the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

But if they be prophets {H5030}, and if the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} be {H3426} with them, let them now make intercession {H6293} to the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, that the vessels {H3627} which are left {H3498} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and in the house {H1004} of the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and at Jerusalem {H3389}, go {H935} not to Babylon {H894}.

But if they are in fact prophets, and if the word of ADONAI is with them, then let them now intercede with ADONAI-Tzva'ot that the articles still remaining in the house of ADONAI and in the palace of the king of Y'hudah will not go off to Bavel.

If they are indeed prophets and the word of the LORD is with them, let them now plead with the LORD of Hosts that the articles remaining in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem, not be taken to Babylon.

But if they be prophets, and if the word of Jehovah be with them, let them now make intercession to Jehovah of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of Jehovah, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

Commentary

Jeremiah 27:18 is a direct challenge from the prophet Jeremiah to the false prophets operating in Judah during the reign of King Zedekiah. Jeremiah had been delivering God's message that Judah must submit to Babylon and its king, Nebuchadnezzar, as part of God's judgment. The false prophets, however, were proclaiming peace and assuring the people that Babylon would not succeed and that the temple vessels already taken would soon be returned.

Context of Jeremiah 27:18

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Jeremiah 27 where God instructs Jeremiah to make yokes and send them to surrounding nations, symbolizing their impending servitude to Babylon. The core message is that resistance to Babylon is resistance to God's will. Jeremiah is confronting the prevailing optimistic, yet false, prophecies that contradicted God's decree. The fate of the sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem was a significant concern, as they symbolized God's presence and Israel's heritage. Jeremiah's challenge to the false prophets here is to prove their divine connection by interceding for the preservation of the remaining sacred items, rather than making empty promises.

Key Themes and Messages

  • True vs. False Prophecy: Jeremiah challenges the credibility of the false prophets. If their words truly came from God, they would be interceding for the preservation of what little remained, rather than giving false hope. This highlights the critical need for discernment concerning prophetic messages.
  • The Role of Intercession: A genuine prophet's duty is not merely to declare future events but to stand in the gap, pleading with God on behalf of the people and their sacred possessions. This verse underscores the power and importance of prayer, particularly for divine mercy in times of judgment.
  • God's Sovereignty and Judgment: Despite the pleas, God's plan for judgment through Babylonian exile was firm. The challenge to the false prophets implicitly reinforces that God's will would be accomplished, whether through the preservation of the vessels or their eventual removal.
  • Value of Sacred Possessions: The concern for the "vessels which are left" speaks to the deep spiritual and historical significance of these items. They were not just artifacts but consecrated instruments of worship, representing God's covenant with Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) used here emphasizes God's supreme power, authority, and control over all creation and armies. It implies that only a God of such magnitude could truly determine the fate of nations and their sacred objects. The word "intercession" (Hebrew: paga‘) means to meet, encounter, or plead, highlighting the direct and earnest appeal made on behalf of others.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 27:18 serves as a timeless reminder of the need for spiritual discernment. In an age of diverse voices and conflicting messages, believers are called to test what they hear against the unchanging truth of God's Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21). It also highlights the profound responsibility and privilege of prayer. Instead of merely predicting outcomes, we are invited to engage in sincere intercession, believing that God hears and responds to the fervent prayers of His people (James 5:16). Finally, the verse encourages us to value and protect our spiritual heritage and to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves difficult circumstances.

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

  • 1 Samuel 7:8

    And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 12:23

    Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

  • 1 Samuel 12:19

    And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

  • Jeremiah 18:20

    Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, [and] to turn away thy wrath from them.

  • 1 Kings 18:24

    And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

  • Jeremiah 42:2

    And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, [even] for all this remnant; (for we are left [but] a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:)

  • Ezekiel 14:18

    Though these three men [were] in it, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.
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