Bible Strands
Jeremiah 26:9
How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The crowd in the temple courtyard confronts Jeremiah immediately after he finishes delivering his message about the temple's destruction. They shout their accusation at him while gathered in the house of the LORD.
The words — The Hebrew מַדּוּעַ (ma.du.a') literally means "why?" or "how dare you," framing the crowd's challenge as a question of authority. The verb נִבֵּיתָ (ni.Bei.ta) means "you have prophesied," directly linking the accusation to Jeremiah's spoken declaration.
The thread — The confrontation mirrors the pattern of false accusations at the gate found in "Isaiah 29:21" and the king's warning against being struck down in "2 Chronicles 25:16". These passages track the recurring biblical theme of authorities silencing prophetic voices through legal or violent pressure.
Why it lands — The verse demands a reader to examine who holds the authority to speak divine judgment and how communities respond when that message threatens their security. It asks whether one will defend the messenger or condemn the message when it arrives.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 25:16 While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not heeded my advice.”
- Isaiah 29:21 those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.
- Isaiah 30:9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction.
- Jeremiah 9:11 “And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”
- Amos 5:10 There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.
- Amos 7:10 Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,
- Micah 2:6 “Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
- Matthew 21:23 When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?”
- Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death.
- Mark 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead.