Jeremiah 26:15

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.

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}.

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."

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.โ€

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

Context of Jeremiah 26:15

Jeremiah 26:15 is a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, occurring during a dramatic trial where his life hangs in the balance. Earlier, Jeremiah delivered a powerful sermon in the temple court, prophesying that God would destroy the Temple and make Jerusalem "a desolation" (Jeremiah 7:3-7, reiterated in Jeremiah 26:6) if the people did not repent. This bold message enraged the priests, prophets, and the people, who seized him and demanded his execution, accusing him of treason and blasphemy (Jeremiah 26:8-9). In this verse, Jeremiah stands before the officials and the people, defending his prophetic calling and issuing a solemn warning against harming a true messenger of God. His courageous stand highlights the dangerous nature of prophetic ministry in ancient Israel, especially when the message was unpopular.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Mandate and Prophetic Authority: Jeremiah unequivocally asserts that he is not speaking on his own authority but has been "sent... of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears." This declaration underscores the divine origin of his message, making his words not merely human opinions but God's direct communication. The implication is that to reject Jeremiah is to reject God Himself.
  • The Gravity of Shedding Innocent Blood: The phrase "innocent blood" is central to Jeremiah's warning. He emphasizes that putting him, an innocent messenger, to death would bring severe guilt and divine judgment upon the entire city and its inhabitants. This concept of shedding innocent blood was a grave offense in ancient Israel, often leading to national calamity.
  • Consequences of Rejecting God's Messengers: This verse serves as a stark reminder that there are dire consequences for those who silence or harm God's prophets. The people and the city would be held accountable for their actions, echoing a recurring theme in biblical history where rejecting divine warnings led to destruction (2 Chronicles 36:16).
  • Jeremiah's Courage and Faith: Despite the imminent threat of death, Jeremiah demonstrates remarkable courage and unwavering faith in God's word. He prioritizes obedience to God over his own safety, delivering the message even when it means confronting powerful opposition.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Innocent Blood" (ื“ื ื ืงื™ - dam naqi): This Hebrew phrase literally means "clean blood" or "blood of the innocent." It refers to the blood of someone wrongfully killed, implying that their death would provoke divine retribution and defile the land or city. It's a powerful and legally significant term highlighting the injustice of the act.
  • "Know Ye For Certain" (ื™ึธื“ึนืขึท ืชึตึผื“ึฐืขื•ึผ - yadoa ted'u): This is an emphatic Hebrew construction, a verbal infinitive absolute followed by the finite verb. It translates to "you shall surely know," "be absolutely certain," or "know without a doubt." Jeremiah uses this to convey the absolute truth and undeniable certainty of his warning, leaving no room for misunderstanding or denial.

Related Scriptures

  • Jeremiah 26:24: Shows how Jeremiah was ultimately protected, preventing the immediate shedding of his innocent blood.
  • Lamentations 4:13: Later reflects on Jerusalem's fall, attributing it partly to the "blood of the prophets" shed within her.
  • Matthew 23:35: Jesus Himself later speaks of the judgment that will come upon Jerusalem for shedding "all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias," echoing the principle seen here with Jeremiah.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 26:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It challenges us to consider our response to difficult or unpopular truths, especially when they come from God's Word. Do we silence the messenger because we dislike the message, or do we humbly consider its divine origin? The verse underscores the principle of accountability โ€“ actions have consequences, and rejecting divine warnings carries a heavy price. For Christians, this also points to Jesus Christ, the ultimate innocent one, whose blood was shed, yet not for His own sin but to bring salvation. It calls us to discern and respect the genuine prophetic voice, whether in ancient scripture or contemporary spiritual guidance, always aligning it with the unchanging truth of God's Word.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 35:33 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 26:25 (3 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 7:6 (3 votes)

    [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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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.