Bible Strands
Jeremiah 27:18
If they are indeed prophets and the word of the LORD is with them, let them now plead with the LORD of Hosts that the articles remaining in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem, not be taken to Babylon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jeremiah addresses the people of Judah and Jerusalem who are being encouraged by false prophets to resist Babylonian rule. He speaks this challenge during the early reign of Jehoiakim, directly countering claims that Jerusalem’s sacred vessels will remain untouched.
The words — נְבִאִ֣ים (ne.vi.'Im) = prophets, יֵ֥שׁ (yesh) = there is. The conditional structure sets a measurable test for authentic messengers.
The thread — The demand for prophetic intercession parallels the people’s appeals in 1 Samuel 7:8 and 1 Samuel 12:19 for Samuel to plead with God on their behalf. Jeremiah’s challenge stands in contrast to the unceasing intercessory commitment outlined in 1 Samuel 12:23.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to evaluate prophetic claims by their ability to alter declared divine judgments rather than by their confidence alone. It demands immediate submission to Babylon’s authority as the only path to survival.
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
But if they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 7:8 and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
- 1 Samuel 12:19 They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”
- 1 Samuel 12:23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.
- 1 Kings 18:24 Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.”
- Jeremiah 18:20 Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath from them.
- Genesis 18:24 What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there?
- Genesis 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maidservants, so that they could again bear children—
- 1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.
- 2 Chronicles 32:20 In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,
- Job 42:8 So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”