Chapter 26: A Prophet on Trial

(24 Pesukim)

Overview

At the start of King Yehoiakim’s reign, Hashem commands Yermiyahu to deliver a warning in the Temple courtyard. His message sparks outrage, leading to a dramatic confrontation between priests, prophets, officials, and the people. The chapter highlights the tension between truth and power, the risk of speaking Hashem’s word, and the role of courageous defenders.

1. The Temple Warning (26:1-6)

The following prophecy of Yirmiyahu took place in the beginning of the reign of Yehoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, the king of Judah. Hashem instructed Yermiyahu as follows:

• Stand in the Temple court and proclaim every word that I tell you without omission.
• Call Yehudah to repent. Tell him to turn from evil and obey Hashem’s Torah and His prophets, and if he does so then I will refrain from performing the evil which I stated will occur.
• If they refuse to listen and change, the Temple will become like Shiloh, and Jerusalem will be a curse among nations.

2. Outrage and Arrest (26:7-10)

• When the priests, prophets, and crowds heard Yermiyahu’s words of prophecy, giving them an ultimatum to either repent or face destruction, they seized him:
  • They said to Yirmiyahu: “You are liable for death for saying this house will be like Shiloh and that the city will become desolate!”
• The officials, ministers of Judah, heard the above message and they left the kings palace towards the Temple. They held court at the Temple gate to judge Yirmiyahu.

3. Yermiyahu’s Defense (26:11-16)

• The Kohanim and [false] prophets told the ministers and nation that Yirmiyahu is liable for death for having declared that Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed.
• Yermiyahu declared to the ministers in his defense:
  • “Hashem sent me to speak these words about the destruction of the Temple and city. He has asked you to change your ways, and if you do so He will relent from doing this evil.”
  • “Now, said Yirmiyahu to the ministers, do what you think is right, but know: killing me brings innocent blood on you, this city, and its people.”

4. The Verdict and Historical Precedent (26:17-19)

• The ministers and people heard Yirmiyahu’s argument and sided with Yermiyahu saying to the priests and people: “He spoke in Hashem’s name.”
• Men from the elders of Israel recall Micah’s prophecy in Hezekiah’s time:
  • “Zion will be plowed like a field.”
  • Hezekiah prayed, and the disaster was averted—proving that killing prophets is folly and the only way forward is to repent.

5. The Fate of Uriah (26:20-23)

• [The people however said a story of another prophet to try to persuade the king to kill Yirmiyahu.[1]] Another prophet, Uriah the son of Shemayahu from Kiryat Yearim, spoke similar words of prophecy regarding Jerusalem, as spoke Yermiyah.
• When King Yehoiakim heard of this he pursued him to try to kill him but he fled to Egypt in fear to escape death.
• Yehoyakim sent messengers to Egypt to Elnasan the son of Achbur to find and capture Uriah. They found him and brought him back to Jerusalem, and executed him—his body thrown into a common grave.

6. Yermiyahu Spared (26:24)

• Achikam the son of Shaphan intervenes, protecting Yermiyahu from death in the hands of the people.

[1] Rashi 26:20