Jeremiah 26:10-15

26:10 However, some of the officials ¹  of Judah heard about what was happening ²  and they rushed up to the Lord’s temple from the royal palace. They set up court ³  at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s temple. ⁴  26:11 Then the priests and the prophets made their charges before the officials and all the people. They said, ⁵  “This man should be condemned to die ⁶  because he prophesied against this city. You have heard him do so ⁷  with your own ears.”

26:12 Then Jeremiah made his defense before all the officials and all the people. ⁸  “The Lord sent me to prophesy everything you have heard me say against this temple and against this city. 26:13 But correct the way you have been living and do what is right. ⁹  Obey the Lord your God. If you do, the Lord will forgo destroying you as he threatened he would. ¹⁰  26:14 As to my case, I am in your power. ¹¹  Do to me what you deem fair and proper. 26:15 But you should take careful note of this: If you put me to death, you will bring on yourselves and this city and those who live in it the guilt of murdering an innocent man. For the Lord has sent me to speak all this where you can hear it. That is the truth!” ¹² 

[26:10]  ¹ sn These officials of Judah were officials from the royal court. They may have included some of the officials mentioned in Jer 36:12-25. They would have been concerned about any possible “illegal” proceedings going on in the temple.

[26:10]  ² tn Heb “these things.”

[26:10]  ³ tn Heb “they sat” or “they took their seats.” However, the context is one of judicial trial.

[26:10]  ⁴ tn The translation follows many Hebrew mss and ancient versions in reading the word “house” (= temple) here. The majority of Hebrew mss do not have this word. It is, however, implicit in the construction “the New Gate of the Lord.”

[26:11]  ⁵ tn Heb “the priests and prophets said to the leaders and the people….” The long sentence has been broken up to conform better with contemporary English style and the situational context is reflected in “laid their charges.”

[26:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “a sentence of death to this man.”

[26:11]  ⁷ tn Heb “it.”

[26:12]  ⁹ tn Heb “Jeremiah said to all the leaders and all the people….” See the note on the word “said” in the preceding verse.

[26:13]  ¹³ tn Heb “Make good your ways and your actions.” For the same expression see 7:3, 5; 18:11.

[26:13]  ¹⁴ tn For the idiom and translation of terms involved here see 18:8 and the translator’s note there.

[26:14]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “And I, behold I am in your hand.” Hand is quite commonly used for “power” or “control” in biblical contexts.

[26:15]  ²¹ tn Heb “For in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak in your ears all these words/things.”