Jeremiah 17:20

Jeremiah 17:20, in plain English

The message he's to deliver: the kings, the people of Judah, and everyone in Jerusalem need to listen to God's word—this is directed at all levels of society, from the top down.

Why it's here

Jeremiah is to address everyone who enters these gates—not just the poor or powerless, but especially the kings and decision-makers. The message is for the whole nation: hear God's word. Nobody is exempt.

Who's speaking

God, through Jeremiah, with the message Jeremiah is to deliver

Where it sits in the story

This is the beginning of another confrontation with leadership. God isn't done speaking to His people through Jeremiah—He's making one more public appeal before judgment comes.

The scholarly reading

Jeremiah is commanded to deliver God's word to all categories of Judean society—rulers, citizens, and residents alike—making his address comprehensively inclusive and authoritative.

Language and setting

The inclusivity of this address is striking: 'kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem.' Jeremiah is not to target the monarchy exclusively but to witness to the entire social body. The phrase 'through these gates' echoes verse 19, emphasizing location and accessibility. This represents what scholars call the 'prophetic kerygma'—the public announcement of God's word to the entire covenant community, creating universal responsibility for hearing and response.

Voice

God, continuing instructions to Jeremiah for prophetic action

Significance

This verse sets up the sabbath instruction that follows (verses 21-27, extending beyond our scope). The comprehensive address to 'all people' reflects the democratic nature of covenant—God's word is not mediated through monarchy alone but addresses each member of the covenant community. This foreshadows later Christian understandings of universal witness.

18Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster and shatter them with double destruction.

19This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and stand at the gate of the people, through which the kings of Judah go in and out; and stand at all the other gates of Jerusalem.

20Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all people of Judah and Jerusalem who enter through these gates.

21This is what the LORD says: Take heed for yourselves; do not carry a load or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.

22You must not carry a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath day, but you must keep the Sabbath day holy, just as I commanded your forefathers.

Read all of Jeremiah 17 — The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick — who can understand it? Cursed is the one who trusts in man. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.