Jeremiah 17:24
And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day, to do no work therein;
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן
And it shall come to pass if ye diligently
H8085
תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן
And it shall come to pass if ye diligently
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן
And it shall come to pass if ye diligently
H8085
תִּשְׁמְע֤וּן
And it shall come to pass if ye diligently
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
no
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
no
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
מַשָּׂ֗א
in no burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֗א
in no burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
10 of 24
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
הָעִ֥יר
of this city
H5892
הָעִ֥יר
of this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
12 of 24
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
י֣וֹם
day
H3117
י֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
15 of 24
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
וּלְקַדֵּשׁ֙
but hallow
H6942
וּלְקַדֵּשׁ֙
but hallow
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
16 of 24
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
י֣וֹם
day
H3117
י֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
H7676
הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת
on the sabbath
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
19 of 24
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
no
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֥י
no
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
עֲשֽׂוֹת
to do
H6213
עֲשֽׂוֹת
to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
21 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:13And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
Historical Context
Conditional covenant blessings characterize the Mosaic covenant (Ex 19:5, Lev 26:3-13, Deut 28:1-14). While God's electing love for Israel was unconditional (Deut 7:7-8), experiencing covenant blessings required obedience. The prophets consistently called Israel to repentance, offering restoration if they returned to covenant faithfulness (Jer 4:1-4, 7:3-7, Amos 5:4-6). Judah's refusal to heed these conditions resulted in exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance understanding salvation as unconditional grace while recognizing that obedience leads to blessing?
- What role does human obedience play in your sanctification and experience of God's promises?
- How does Christ's perfect obedience secure for believers what Israel failed to achieve through covenant-keeping?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God offers conditional blessing: "If ye diligently hearken unto me" establishes that covenant blessings depend on obedience. The Hebrew construction emphasizes intentional, careful attention—not casual hearing but devoted obedience. The specific focus remains Sabbath observance: bringing no burden through the gates on the Sabbath and hallowing the day by ceasing from work.
This conditional promise reflects the covenant structure throughout Scripture—obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings curse (Deut 28). While Reformed theology emphasizes unconditional election unto salvation, sanctification involves genuine human obedience empowered by grace. God's commands are not arbitrary but pathways to human flourishing under His lordship.
The offered blessings (vv. 25-26) include political stability, continued Davidic dynasty, and worship at the temple—all covenant promises. Yet history shows Judah failed to meet the condition, bringing judgment instead. This points to the need for the new covenant, where God's law is written on hearts (Jer 31:33) and obedience flows from regeneration rather than mere external compulsion. Christ fulfilled the law perfectly, securing blessings for His people by His obedience (Rom 5:19).