Warning about Sabbath Violations
Jeremiah 17:19-27
Jer.17.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ועמדת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- שערי: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:2-3 (verbal): Same prophetic instruction to 'stand in the gate' (here of the LORD’s house) and proclaim God's word to those who enter and leave — nearly identical locational setting and public proclamation motif.
- Jeremiah 26:2 (structural): Another Jeremiah command to stand in a public temple precinct ('the court of the LORD's house') and speak to the cities of Judah — same prophetic activity of public warning at access points.
- Ezekiel 33:7 (cf. Ezekiel 3:17) (thematic): Ezekiel is appointed as a 'watchman' to warn the people; thematically parallels Jeremiah's placement at the gates to confront and warn those 'coming and going.'
- Isaiah 62:6 (thematic): God sets 'watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem' who 'never hold their peace' — comparable imagery of assigned sentinels/proclaimers stationed on the city's access points to speak God's message.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD to me: Go, stand in the gate of the people—at the gates where the kings of Judah and all who go out from them enter—and at every gate of Jerusalem.
- Thus says the LORD to me: Go and stand at the gate of the people, at the entrance of the people who come in through those gates—
Jer.17.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- בשערים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:2 (verbal): Nearly identical prophetic formula — 'Stand in the gate of the LORD's house... proclaim there this word... Hear the word of the LORD' addressing Judah and Jerusalem at the gate.
- Jeremiah 26:2 (structural): Similar setting and injunction to speak publicly in the temple/court to the cities/people of Judah who come to worship — a public prophetic appeal to those entering sacred precincts.
- Isaiah 1:10 (verbal): Opens with the same imperative 'Hear the word of the LORD' addressed to the ruling authorities and people — shared prophetic introductory summons.
- Ezekiel 33:7 (thematic): Emphasizes the prophet's role to 'hear the word' and warn the people (watchman motif) — parallels the duty to deliver the LORD's message to the inhabitants.
Alternative generated candidates
- And say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all Judah, and all who dwell in Jerusalem who enter by these gates.'
- and say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, all Judah, and all who dwell in Jerusalem who enter by these gates.'
Jer.17.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- השמרו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- בנפשותיכם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תשאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והבאתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בשערי: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-10 (thematic): The Decalogue's command to keep the Sabbath and refrain from work provides the foundational Sabbath law that Jeremiah invokes in prohibiting carrying burdens on the sabbath.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-14 (thematic): Deuteronomy's restatement of the Sabbath command (observe and keep it holy, cease from ordinary work) parallels Jeremiah's admonition to avoid carrying loads into the city on the sabbath.
- Nehemiah 13:15-22 (verbal): Nehemiah rebukes people for treading winepresses, bringing in loads, and doing business on the Sabbath, and he enforces closing Jerusalem's gates—closely mirroring Jeremiah's prohibition against bringing burdens through the gates on the sabbath.
- Jeremiah 17:22 (structural): The very next verse in the same passage continues the same injunction, commanding that nothing be carried out of the city gates on the sabbath—forming a paired in/out prohibition framing the sabbath observance.
- Isaiah 58:13-14 (thematic): Isaiah urges proper Sabbath behavior—turning from one's own pursuits and finding delight in the holy day—echoing Jeremiah's concern for sanctified Sabbath practice rather than ordinary activity like carrying burdens.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD: Take heed for your lives, and do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it into the gates of Jerusalem.
- Thus says the LORD: Take heed for your lives; do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day into the gates of Jerusalem.
Jer.17.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- תוציאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבתיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- ביום: PREP
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- וקדשתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-10 (quotation): The Fourth Commandment: sanctify the Sabbath and do no work on it — closely matches Jeremiah's injunction not to carry out a burden or do any work on the Sabbath.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (verbal): A retelling of the Sabbath command emphasizing cessation of work and the covenantal/historical rationale, paralleling Jeremiah's formula 'as I commanded your fathers.'
- Nehemiah 13:15-22 (thematic): Describes people profaning the Sabbath by bringing loads and trading in Jerusalem and Nehemiah's measures to stop them — parallels Jeremiah's prohibition against carrying burdens from houses on the Sabbath.
- Isaiah 58:13-14 (thematic): Calls the people to honor the Sabbath by refraining from pursuing personal business and making it a delight — a prophetic development of Sabbath-keeping similar to Jeremiah's command.
- Genesis 2:2-3 (structural): God's rest and sanctification of the seventh day provides the theological origin for Sabbath observance invoked in later commands like Jeremiah 17:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not take anything out of your houses on the Sabbath day; do no work—sanctify the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
- Do not bring any burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day; do no work—keep the Sabbath holy as I commanded your fathers.
Jer.17.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- הטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אזנם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- ויקשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ערפם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- שמוע: VERB,qal,infc
- ולבלתי: CONJ+PART,inf+neg
- קחת: VERB,qal,inf
- מוסר: NOUN,m,sg,const
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:26 (verbal): Nearly identical wording earlier in Jeremiah describing the people who would not listen, hardened their necks, and refused instruction.
- Deuteronomy 10:16 (thematic): Calls Israel to 'circumcise your heart' and stop being 'stiff-necked,' contrasting obedience with the stubbornness Jeremiah condemns.
- Ezekiel 3:7 (thematic): God tells Ezekiel that the house of Israel is hard-hearted and will not listen, echoing Jeremiah's depiction of refusal to hear divine message.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (allusion): Prophetic commission language about making people's ears heavy and hearts dull so they do not hear or understand parallels Jeremiah's theme of spiritual deafness.
- Psalm 81:11-12 (thematic): God laments that His people would not listen to His voice and he gave them over to their stubbornness, reflecting the same refusal to heed instruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they did not listen or incline their ear; they made their necks hard so as not to hear and not to receive instruction.
- But they did not listen, they would not incline their ear; they made their necks hard so as not to hear and not to receive instruction.
Jer.17.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תשמעון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- הביא: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשערי: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולקדש: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- עשות: VERB,qal,inf
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-11 (quotation): The Fourth Commandment commanding the keeping of the Sabbath and prohibition of work—basis for Jeremiah’s injunction not to bring burdens or do work on the sabbath.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (quotation): Another formulation of the Sabbath command, emphasizing sanctification of the day; provides a contrasting rationale (remembrance of deliverance) for observing the sabbath that undergirds Jeremiah’s demand.
- Jeremiah 17:21-22 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same chapter repeating the injunction not to carry burdens through the city gates on the sabbath and to hallow the day—same command and wording context.
- Nehemiah 13:15-22 (structural): Narrative enforcement of Sabbath observance in Jerusalem—Nehemiah closes the city gates and prohibits commercial traffic on the sabbath, echoing Jeremiah’s concern about carrying burdens through the gates.
- Ezekiel 20:12,20 (thematic): Proclaims the sabbath as a sign and calls for its sanctification; the theological rationale and emphasis on holy-keeping parallels Jeremiah’s call to hallow the sabbath and refrain from work.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, if you truly listen to me, declares the LORD, not to bring a burden into the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and to sanctify the Sabbath day, doing no work on it,
- It shall be, if you will indeed listen to me, says the LORD, that no burden shall be brought in through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and you shall sanctify the Sabbath, doing no work on it.
Jer.17.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובאו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- בשערי: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- מלכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ישבים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- כסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רכבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ברכב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובסוסים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ושריהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,const+3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישבי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 33:17 (verbal): Same prophetic tradition: promises that a descendant of David will always sit on the throne (Davidic rule) — closely echoes the language about kings/princes and the throne of David.
- Ezekiel 37:24-25 (structural): Vision of restoration where 'my servant David' (the Davidic ruler) shepherds them, they dwell in the land and in Jerusalem, and Israel lives securely — parallels Davidic kingship, inhabitants of Jerusalem, and peaceful dwelling.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): God’s covenant with David promising an enduring house and throne — theological background for promises that kings/princes will sit on David’s throne and the city will be established.
- Zechariah 8:3-5 (thematic): Promise of God’s return to Zion and restoration of Jerusalem where people live openly and safely in the city — parallels the promise that the city’s inhabitants (and rulers) will dwell securely.
Alternative generated candidates
- then kings and princes will enter by the gates of this city, sitting on David's throne; they shall come by chariots and on horses—they and their princes, men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—and this city will abide forever.
- Then kings and princes shall come to the gates of this city and sit on the throne of David; they shall ride in chariots and on horses—he and his princes, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—and this city shall dwell secure forever.
Jer.17.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובאו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- מערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ומסביבות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומארץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- השפלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מבאים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וזבח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ומנחה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולבונה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומבאי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- תודה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 30:5-6 (verbal): Hezekiah summons people 'from the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem, from Benjamin, the lowland, the hill country and the Negev' to come and keep the Passover — a close verbal and geographical parallel to Jer 17:26's list of regions coming to the house with offerings.
- 1 Kings 8:65-66 (thematic): At Solomon's dedication all Israel assembles at Jerusalem and offers great burnt and peace offerings and rejoices — parallels Jer 17:26's scene of people coming to the temple to bring burnt offerings, sacrifices and thanksgiving.
- Isaiah 66:20 (allusion): The prophet depicts peoples being brought to Jerusalem 'as an offering to the LORD' and bringing gifts — echoes the motif of nations/people coming to the house of the LORD with offerings and thanksgivings found in Jer 17:26.
- Zechariah 14:16 (thematic): A future vision that survivors of the nations will go up year by year to Jerusalem to worship the LORD and bring offerings — parallels the pilgrim/ritual movement to the temple and regular sacrificial devotion implied in Jer 17:26.
- Nehemiah 12:43 (verbal): At the dedication of Jerusalem's wall the people 'had offered great sacrifices and rejoiced' and brought offerings to the house of God — similar language of bringing sacrifices, thank offerings and rejoicing at the temple as in Jer 17:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the cities of Judah and from the surroundings of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland and from the hill and from the Negeb, they shall come bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD.
- From the cities of Judah and the surroundings of Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the lowland, from the hill country, and from the Negev they shall come, bringing burnt offerings, sacrifices, grain offerings, frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD.
Jer.17.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשמעו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לקדש: PREP
- את: PRT,acc
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולבלתי: CONJ+PART,inf+neg
- שאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בשערי: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- השבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והצתי: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,sg
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשעריה: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,f
- ואכלה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ארמנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- תכבה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 20:8-11 (quotation): The Sabbath command to 'remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy' and refrain from work provides the law behind Jeremiah's warning about profaning the Sabbath.
- Exodus 31:14-15 (quotation): Explicit prohibition against work on the Sabbath and the severe sanctions for violating it, paralleling Jeremiah's threat of divine judgment for carrying burdens and profaning the day.
- Nehemiah 13:15-22 (verbal): Describes people bringing goods through Jerusalem's gates and working on the Sabbath and Nehemiah's measures to stop it—closely parallels Jeremiah's concern about carrying burdens through the gates on the sabbath.
- Ezekiel 20:12-13 (allusion): Speaks of giving Sabbaths as a sign and then the people profaning them, provoking God's wrath—echoes Jeremiah's link between Sabbath profanation and impending punishment.
- Isaiah 58:13-14 (thematic): Calls for delighting in and honoring the Sabbath with promised blessing, offering a contrasting theological perspective to Jeremiah's warning of judgment when the Sabbath is desecrated.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath holy, and do not refrain from bearing a burden and entering by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates that shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.'
- But if you do not listen to me to keep the Sabbath holy and not to carry a burden or enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates that will consume the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.'
Thus says the LORD to me: Go and stand at the gate of the people—the gate through which the kings of Judah and those who go out pass—and at every gate of Jerusalem. And say to them, 'Hear the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah and all Judah, and all who dwell in Jerusalem who come through these gates.' Thus says the LORD: Guard your lives; do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it into the gates of Jerusalem.
Do not take a load out of your houses on the Sabbath day; do no work—sanctify the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. But they would not listen or incline their ear; they hardened their necks so as not to hear and not to receive instruction. And now, if you will listen to me, says the LORD, not to bring a burden into the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, and to sanctify the Sabbath day, to do no work on it,
then kings and princes will enter through the gates of this city, sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—he and his officials, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem—and this city shall remain forever.
From the cities of Judah and from around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland and from the hill and from the Negev they will come, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices and grain offerings and frankincense and thank-offerings to the house of the LORD. But if you do not obey me to sanctify the Sabbath day, and do not refrain from carrying a burden and entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates that shall consume the palaces of Jerusalem—and it shall not be quenched.'