Jeremiah 26:15
But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֣ךְ׀
H389
תֵּדְע֗וּ
But know
H3045
תֵּדְע֗וּ
But know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 30
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
תֵּדְע֗וּ
But know
H3045
תֵּדְע֗וּ
But know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
3 of 30
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
5 of 30
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מְמִתִ֣ים
that if ye put me to death
H4191
מְמִתִ֣ים
that if ye put me to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
6 of 30
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֹתִי֒
H853
אֹתִי֒
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
דָ֣ם
blood
H1818
דָ֣ם
blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
10 of 30
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
נֹתְנִ֣ים
ye shall surely bring
H5414
נֹתְנִ֣ים
ye shall surely bring
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 30
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעִ֥יר
upon yourselves and upon this city
H5892
הָעִ֥יר
upon yourselves and upon this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
16 of 30
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ
and upon the inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ
and upon the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
19 of 30
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 30
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֶאֱמֶ֗ת
thereof for of a truth
H571
בֶאֱמֶ֗ת
thereof for of a truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
21 of 30
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
שְׁלָחַ֤נִי
hath sent
H7971
שְׁלָחַ֤נִי
hath sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
22 of 30
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 30
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
24 of 30
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְדַבֵּר֙
me unto you to speak
H1696
לְדַבֵּר֙
me unto you to speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
25 of 30
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֔ם
in your ears
H241
בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֔ם
in your ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
26 of 30
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
27 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
28 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Proverbs 6:17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,Jeremiah 22:3Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.Jeremiah 7:6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:Numbers 35:33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
Historical Context
Jeremiah nearly lost his life for this sermon; priests and prophets demanded his death. His deliverance through the intervention of officials and elders who remembered Micah's similar prophecy showed God's providence.
Questions for Reflection
- What gives you courage to speak truth in hostile environments?
- How do you balance prophetic boldness with wisdom in dangerous situations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah's courageous stand exemplifies prophetic faithfulness - he declares truth despite threats to his life. The phrase 'The LORD sent me' authenticates his message; rejection of God's messenger equals rejection of God Himself. Jeremiah warns that killing him would bring blood guilt upon the city, adding to their sins. This foreshadows Christ's words about Jerusalem killing the prophets (Matt 23:37).