Jeremiah 17:20 - Tell them, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:

Generated Verse: Jeremiah 17:20

What does "Jeremiah 17:20" mean?


Jeremiah 17:20 is part of a larger section in Jeremiah where the prophet is delivering a warning from God regarding Sabbath observance. Let's break down the verse:

"Tell them...": This signifies that Jeremiah is acting as a messenger, delivering a direct word from God (Yahweh). He's not speaking his own opinion, but relaying a divine command.

"...‘Hear Yahweh’s word...": This is the heart of the message. People are being called to listen and obey God's instructions. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and his people.

"...you kings of Judah...": The message is specifically directed to the leadership of Judah. The kings, as the rulers, were responsible for setting the example and ensuring the nation followed God's law.

"...and all Judah...": This broadens the audience to include all the people of the Southern Kingdom.

"...and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that enter in by these gates:": This further specifies the target audience: all the residents of Jerusalem who pass through the city gates. The gates were important entry and exit points for daily life, commerce, and religious activities. This implies that the message would be proclaimed publicly and accessible to everyone.

In essence, the verse is a call to attention. God, through Jeremiah, is summoning the entire nation—from the highest rulers to the everyday citizens—to listen to his word. The setting "at the gates" suggests a public proclamation, making the message unavoidable and emphasizing its importance for the well-being of the whole society.

The significance of this verse, especially within the context of Jeremiah 17:19-27, is that God is commanding the people to keep the Sabbath holy. Failure to do so, as the following verses warn, will result in dire consequences, including the destruction of Jerusalem.

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