FocusTrue and false messages
Jeremiah 26:6
KJVThen will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Narratives and letters contrast competing claims about the LORD's word and address life under Babylonian power, including the exiles' situation.
- 26:1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
- 26:2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
- 26:3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
- 26:4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
- 26:5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
- 26:6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah son of Hilkiah is the prophet behind the book, with Baruch serving as his scribe. The complete collection includes narrative and a historical appendix as well as Jeremiah's dictated words. Biblical references: Jeremiah 1:1; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:32. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Jeremiah 26:1–26:24): Jeremiah speaks in the temple to worshippers; priests, prophets, princes, elders, and the people debate his fate. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem before and during the Babylonian crisis, exiles in Babylon, and later readers of the preserved prophetic collection. Individual oracles name additional recipients. Biblical references: Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 46:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A Warning to the Cities of Judah. Read Jeremiah 26:1 through Jeremiah 26:6 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Narratives and letters contrast competing claims about the LORD's word and address life under Babylonian power, including the exiles' situation. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening dates Jeremiah's ministry from Josiah's reign toward the captivity of Jerusalem. Individual messages also name particular reigns and events, and the book is not arranged as a simple diary. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah and Jerusalem dominate, with messages to exiles in Babylon, accounts involving Egypt, and oracles concerning other nations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A Warning to the Cities of Judah (Jeremiah 26:1 to Jeremiah 26:6). Start reading at Jeremiah 26:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews explicitly quotes Jeremiah's new-covenant promise in its explanation of Christ's priestly work. The quotation retains the named houses of Israel and Judah; later application should account for that wording. See Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8, Hebrews 8:10. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Listen to unwelcome truth and distinguish it from reassuring claims unsupported by God's word. Do not detach promises of restoration from the judgment, exile, and response described around them. interpretation
Cited: Jeremiah 26:1, Jeremiah 26:6, Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 8:8, Hebrews 8:10
Who wrote it, and how we know
Related passages
- will I Jer 7:12-14 1 Sam 4:10-12,19-22 Ps 78:60-64
- a curse Jer 24:9 Jer 25:18 Jer 29:22 Jer 42:18 Jer 44:8-12,22 2 Kgs 22:19 Isa 43:28 Isa 65:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah 26
Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 1:2 Jeremiah 36:4
Jeremiah Threatened with Death
Jeremiah 26:7–15FocusTrue and false messages
Jeremiah Spared from Death
Jeremiah 26:16–19FocusTrue and false messages
The Prophet Uriah
Jeremiah 26:20–24FocusTrue and false messages
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 1:2 Jeremiah 36:4
Jeremiah's call
Jeremiah 1:1–19FocusCommission and opposition
Judah's unfaithfulness and announced judgment
Jeremiah 2:1–25:38FocusWarning, intercession, and refusal
FocusTrue and false messages
Promises of restoration
Jeremiah 30:1–33:26FocusReturn, covenant, and hope
Jerusalem's fall and its aftermath
Jeremiah 34:1–45:5FocusRejected words and continuing disobedience
Oracles against the nations
Jeremiah 46:1–51:64FocusJudgment on the surrounding powers
The fall of Jerusalem recounted
Jeremiah 52:1–34FocusDestruction and the exiled king
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.