Jeremiah 26:20
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אִ֗ישׁ
And there was also a man
H376
אִ֗ישׁ
And there was also a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 21
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)
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וַיִּנָּבֵ֞א
that prophesied
H5012
וַיִּנָּבֵ֞א
that prophesied
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
4 of 21
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
5 of 21
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֽוּרִיָּ֙הוּ֙
Urijah
H223
אֽוּרִיָּ֙הוּ֙
Urijah
Strong's:
H223
Word #:
7 of 21
urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites
בֶּֽן
the son
H1121
בֶּֽן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁמַעְיָ֔הוּ
of Shemaiah
H8098
שְׁמַעְיָ֔הוּ
of Shemaiah
Strong's:
H8098
Word #:
9 of 21
shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites
הַיְּעָרִ֑ים
of Kirjathjearim
H7157
הַיְּעָרִ֑ים
of Kirjathjearim
Strong's:
H7157
Word #:
11 of 21
kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine
וַיִּנָּבֵ֞א
that prophesied
H5012
וַיִּנָּבֵ֞א
that prophesied
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
12 of 21
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעִ֤יר
against this city
H5892
הָעִ֤יר
against this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֣רֶץ
and against this land
H776
הָאָ֣רֶץ
and against this land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
17 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
1 Samuel 7:2And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.Joshua 9:17And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim.
Historical Context
Kirjath-jearim was about 8 miles northwest of Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant temporarily rested (1 Samuel 7:1-2). Urijah's hometown connects him to Judah's sacred history. He likely prophesied during Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC), when Jeremiah first proclaimed temple destruction (chapter 7, 26). Multiple prophets speaking identical truth refutes claims that Jeremiah was isolated extremist.
Questions for Reflection
- Who are the forgotten faithful in your tradition who paid costs you've not had to bear?
- How does knowing others shared Jeremiah's message affect understanding of prophetic ministry?
- What does faithfulness look like when it doesn't guarantee earthly survival?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-jearim (אוּרִיָּהוּ בֶן־שְׁמַעְיָהוּ מִקִּרְיַת הַיְּעָרִים, uriyyahu ven-sh'ma'yahu miqqiryat hay'arim)—Urijah (meaning 'Yahweh is my light') prophesied messages identical to Jeremiah's: who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah. The phrase כְּכֹל דִּבְרֵי יִרְמְיָהוּ (k'khol divrei yirm'yahu, 'according to all Jeremiah's words') confirms theological alignment.
This proves Jeremiah wasn't alone—God raised multiple witnesses to the same truth. Urijah's fate (next verses) demonstrates the deadly cost of authentic prophecy under Jehoiakim's reign. While we remember Jeremiah, Urijah died for the same message. His inclusion here honors a forgotten martyr and warns that faithfulness doesn't guarantee earthly survival. Some prophets God preserves; others He allows to die bearing witness. Both outcomes glorify God.