Jeremiah 17:27

27 But if you do not listen to me, to keep the sabbath day holy, and to carry in no burden through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates; it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.

Jeremiah 17:27 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 17:27

But if ye will not hearken unto me
With respect to this particular point, more especially: to hallow the sabbath day;
to keep it holy to the Lord in a religious way, in the exercise of the duties of religion, both public and private: and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem
on the sabbath day;
or, "and go through"; or, so as "to go through" ^F12 &c; and may intend either one and the same thing, namely entering in at the gates with a burden upon the shoulders; or two things, bearing a burden, and carrying it any where in or out of the city; and an unnecessary passing and repassing through the gates of the city, whether a man has or has not a burden upon him, since the sabbath might be violated either way: then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof;
where the prophet was to publish all this, and where the people sinned by passing and repassing, and carrying burdens in and out on the sabbath day: and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem;
the king's palace, and the palaces of the princes and nobles, as well as the cottages of the poorer sort: and it shall not be quenched;
until it has utterly destroyed the city: this was fulfilled by the Chaldeans, ( Jeremiah 52:13 ) . The Jews say there is no fire kindled but where the sabbath is profaned; and that Jerusalem was destroyed because they profaned the sabbath ^F13.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (vb abw) "et intretis per portas", Cocceius, Schmidt.
F13 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 119. 2.

Jeremiah 17:27 In-Context

25 then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall be inhabited forever.

26 And people shall come from the towns of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the Lord.

27 But if you do not listen to me, to keep the sabbath day holy, and to carry in no burden through the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates; it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.