Jeremiah 17:24 - It will happen, if you diligently listen to me,” says Yahweh, “to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but to make the Sabbath day holy, to do no work therein;

Generated Verse: Jeremiah 17:24

What does "Jeremiah 17:24" mean?


This verse, Jeremiah 17:24, is part of a longer prophecy where God (Yahweh) is promising blessings to the people of Judah if they obey his commandments. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"It will happen, if you diligently listen to me," says Yahweh..." This establishes a conditional promise. God is saying that the following blessings are contingent upon the people's obedience. "Diligently listen" implies not just hearing the words, but actively paying attention, understanding, and acting upon them.

"...to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day..." This refers to observing the Sabbath (Saturday, the day of rest) by refraining from commercial activity. Bringing burdens through the gates would have been related to buying and selling goods, transportation of merchandise, and general business endeavors.

"...but to make the Sabbath day holy, to do no work therein;" This reinforces the importance of respecting the Sabbath. It's not just about avoiding commerce, but actively setting the day apart as sacred and dedicated to God. "Do no work" means abstaining from any labor or activity that would detract from the holiness of the day.

In essence, the verse means:

God is promising prosperity and security to Jerusalem if the people diligently listen to him and observe the Sabbath by not engaging in trade or any other work. It's a call to honor God by setting aside the Sabbath as a day of rest, worship, and spiritual focus.

Contextual Significance:

This verse appears in a context where Judah is facing potential destruction due to their disobedience. Jeremiah is warning them that if they return to God and keep his commandments, including the Sabbath, they will be spared. It emphasizes that the nation's well-being is tied to their faithfulness to God's covenant.

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