Jeremiah 17:25
Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָ֣אוּ
Then shall there enter
H935
וּבָ֣אוּ
Then shall there enter
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָֽעִיר
and this city
H5892
הָֽעִיר
and this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
H3427
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֨א
upon the throne
H3678
כִּסֵּ֨א
upon the throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
רֹכְבִ֣ים׀
riding
H7392
רֹכְבִ֣ים׀
riding
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
11 of 23
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
בָּרֶ֣כֶב
in chariots
H7393
בָּרֶ֣כֶב
in chariots
Strong's:
H7393
Word #:
12 of 23
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone
אִ֥ישׁ
the men
H376
אִ֥ישׁ
the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
17 of 23
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
H3427
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
19 of 23
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
H3427
וְיָשְׁבָ֥ה
and the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Jeremiah 22:4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.Isaiah 9:7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.Hebrews 12:22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,Jeremiah 33:15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.Jeremiah 33:21Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.Jeremiah 33:17For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;2 Samuel 7:16And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Historical Context
The Davidic dynasty ruled Judah from approximately 1010-586 BC. Despite ups and downs, the line continued until Nebuchadnezzar deported King Jehoiachin and appointed Zedekiah, who later rebelled, leading to Jerusalem's destruction. No Davidic king ruled Jerusalem again until Christ, whom the New Testament identifies as the promised Son of David who inaugurates God's eternal kingdom (Matt 1:1, 21:9, Rom 1:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How do conditional Old Testament promises inform your understanding of covenant blessings and consequences?
- In what ways does Christ's eternal kingship fulfill and transcend the conditional promises made to Judah?
- What does it mean that believers are citizens of a city that truly will remain forever?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The promised blessing for Sabbath-keeping includes dynastic continuity and prosperity: "Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David." This references God's covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16) promising an eternal dynasty. The imagery of kings and princes "riding in chariots and on horses" depicts royal splendor and military might—marks of national strength and security.
"This city shall remain for ever" offers permanent establishment of Jerusalem as the covenant capital. The Hebrew le'olam (לְעוֹלָם, forever) can mean indefinitely long or eternally, depending on context. Historically, Jerusalem did not remain forever due to Judah's disobedience—it fell to Babylon in 586 BC. Yet the promise points beyond temporal Jerusalem to the eternal city, the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:2), where Christ the ultimate Davidic King reigns eternally.
This conditional promise demonstrates that covenant blessings depend on covenant faithfulness. Judah's failure to meet the condition brought the opposite—exile, the end of the earthly Davidic monarchy, and Jerusalem's destruction. Yet God's ultimate purposes cannot fail. Christ, the Son of David, fulfills these promises perfectly, establishing an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken (Luke 1:32-33, Heb 12:28).