The Temple sermon on trial: priests and prophets seize Jeremiah — 'You shall surely die'; the elders remember Micah the Morashtite in the days of Hezekiah; Uriah son of Shemaiah is fetched out of Egypt and slain — but the hand of Ahikam is with Jeremiah.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, came this word from Hashem, saying:
verse value 3120
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 56 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3120 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "king" (מֶ֣לֶךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Josiah" (בֶּן־יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ, 8 letters). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "the·word" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 6 words. Full calculation: בְּרֵאשִׁ֗ית [in·beginning] (913) + מַמְלְכ֛וּת [kingdom] (536) + יְהוֹיָקִ֥ים [Jehoiakim] (181) + בֶּן־יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ [son·of·Josiah] (384) + מֶ֣לֶךְ [king] (90) + יְהוּדָ֑ה [Judah] (30) + הָיָה֙ [was] (20) + הַדָּבָ֣ר [the·word] (211) + הַזֶּ֔ה [this] (17) + מֵאֵ֥ת [from] (441) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 3120.
Rashi
"At the beginning of the reign." This lower portion preceded the upper one by four years.
’Thus says Hashem: Stand in the court of Hashem’S house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Hashem’S house, all the words that I command you to speak to them; diminish not a word.
verse value 6842
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 96 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·words" (כׇּל־הַדְּבָרִ֔ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 438: the·house·of·Hashem, the·house·of·Hashem. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "upon·all·cities·of" (עַל־כׇּל־עָרֵ֣י), "not·diminish" (אַל־תִּגְרַ֖ע). The root דבר appears 4 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 18 and 2 words.
Metzudat David
“Over all the cities of Judah.” To all the inhabitants of the cities of Judah:
"Do not diminish any word." Do not omit even a single word from all the words.
Metzudat Zion
"tigr'a" – from the root meaning "deficiency" (ger'on):
It may be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way; that I may repent Me of the evil, which I purpose to do to them because of the evil of their doings.
verse value 4931
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 69 letters. The shortest word is "evil" (רֹ֥עַ, 2 letters) and the longest is "their·deeds" (מַעַלְלֵיהֶֽם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 311: man, to·the·evil. The root רע appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "to·the·evil" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "they·hear" (root שמע, 184x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·evil', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
Perhaps they will hear. Perhaps they will accept the words and each person will return from his evil way:
And I will repent concerning the evil. Then I will repent concerning the evil:
Metzudat Zion
"And I will relent." The matter is a reversal of thought:
Malbim
Perhaps they will return, and I will relent from the evil — since what I am planning to do to them, the evil, is on account of the wickedness of their deeds; consequently, when they return from their evil deeds, I will relent from the evil.
And you shall say to them: Thus says Hashem: If you will not hearken to Me, to walk in My law, which I have set before you,
verse value 5043
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 54 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֖ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "in·my·law" (בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י, 6 letters). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·you·shall·say" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 8 words. Full calculation: וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ [and·you·shall·say] (647) + אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם [to·them] (86) + כֹּ֖ה [thus] (25) + אָמַ֣ר [said] (241) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + אִם־לֹ֤א [if·not] (72) + תִשְׁמְעוּ֙ [you·hear] (816) + אֵלַ֔י [to·me] (41) + לָלֶ֙כֶת֙ [to·walk] (480) + בְּת֣וֹרָתִ֔י [in·my·law] (1018) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + נָתַ֖תִּי [I·gave] (860) + לִפְנֵיכֶֽם [to·your·face] (230) = 5043.
Malbim
(4-5) "To walk in My Torah" — this conditions that they will heed the words of the Torah and that they will heed the words of the Prophets; and if not, the Temple will be destroyed.
to hearken to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I send to you, even sending them betimes and often, but you have not hearkened;
verse value 3573
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 52 letters. Notable word values: "my·servants" (עֲבָדַ֣י) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "upon·words·of" (עַל־דִּבְרֵי֙, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·rising·early" (וְהַשְׁכֵּ֥ם). The root שמע appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "and·not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah); "upon·words·of" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 4 words. Full calculation: לִשְׁמֹ֗עַ [to·hear] (440) + עַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ [upon·words·of] (316) + עֲבָדַ֣י [my·servants] (86) + הַנְּבִאִ֔ים [the·prophets] (108) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + אָנֹכִ֖י [I] (81) + שֹׁלֵ֣חַ [sending] (338) + אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם [to·you] (101) + וְהַשְׁכֵּ֥ם [and·rising·early] (371) + וְשָׁלֹ֖חַ [and·weapon] (344) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + שְׁמַעְתֶּֽם [you·have·heard] (850) = 3573.
Radak
"Concerning the words [al divrei] of My servants the prophets." Like "to the words" [el divrei]; and so too "and Elkanah went to Ramah, to his house" [al beito] — like "to his house" [el beito], and similar cases.
Metzudat David
"To hear My words" – this phrase refers back to the preceding verse, and it is equivalent to "to listen to My words," etc.
“And rise early and send.” And I used to rise early and send, and nevertheless you did not listen. And the meaning is: if so, continue to do as you have done until now.
then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.’
verse value 4620
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "this" (הַזֶּ֖ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·city" (וְאֶת־הָעִ֤יר, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "the·house" (אֶת־הַבַּ֥יִת), "like·Shiloh" (כְּשִׁלֹ֑ה). The root נתן appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "earth" (root ארץ, 245x in Jeremiah); "to·them·of" (root כל, 167x in Jeremiah); "and·I·will·give" (root נתן, 141x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'like·Shiloh', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 8 words.
Radak
"Like Shiloh." When the Philistines captured the Ark in battle, the Sanctuary at Shiloh was destroyed.
Metzudat David
"And I will give." Then I will make this house a desolation, just as the Tabernacle of Shiloh became desolate in the days of Eli.
I will make her a curse. So that they will curse by it, saying in their curse that it will be like Jerusalem:
So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of Hashem.
verse value 2908
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 57 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "speaking" (מְדַבֵּ֛ר, 4 letters) and the longest is "Jeremiah" (אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ, 8 letters). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "speaking" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah); "and·they·heard" (root שמע, 184x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·all·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֛וּ [and·they·heard] (432) + הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים [the·priests] (130) + וְהַנְּבִאִ֖ים [and·the·prophets] (114) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ [Jeremiah] (672) + מְדַבֵּ֛ר [speaking] (246) + אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים [the·words] (662) + הָאֵ֖לֶּה [these] (41) + בְּבֵ֥ית [in·the·house·of] (414) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2908.
Metzudat David
The priests. The priests of Baal:
“And the prophets” – the false prophets.
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that Hashem had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold on him, saying: ‘You shall surely die.
verse value 5722
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 84 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "him" (אֹת֜וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·that·He·commanded" (כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 271: Jeremiah, saying. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "all·that·He·commanded" (כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה). The root דבר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "all·that·He·commanded" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·all·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 8 words.
Metzudat David
And they seized him. They grasped him firmly and said, "Behold, we will kill you."
Metzudat Zion
And they seized. The meaning is to take possession by force, as it is said, "and his father and his mother shall seize him" (Deuteronomy 21:19).
Malbim
The Questions: Initially, all the people said, ‘You shall surely die,’ and they gathered against him; and afterward all the people said, ‘There is no death penalty for this man’? Initially, the people seized him to put him to death, and upon the arrival of the princes, they acted as judges together with the princes, as it is stated, “And the priests and the prophets said to the princes and to all the people”? After the princes and the people had decided that he was not subject to the death penalty, what did the men from among the elders of the people intend by the narrative of Micah the Morashtite, which was superfluous after he had been found innocent in his trial? And how did he immediately relate the story of Uriah, which contradicts this, as Uriah was executed? And how did he conclude, “Only the hand of Achikam son of Shaphan…” so as not to hand him over to the people to put him to death, which implies that the people wished to put him to death, and this contradicts what was stated above, that the people pleaded in his favor?
“And the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him.” Initially, the people also joined the priests in seeking to put him to death. This was not because they considered him a false prophet who fabricated the prophecy in his heart, for indeed they believed that the Lord had sent him; and therefore, according to the law, he did not deserve the death penalty. Rather, they desired to put him to death outside of the legal process, so that no one would be found to reprove them and inform them of the words of the Lord. Since they did not wish to heed the words of the Lord, they also desired that no prophet be sent to them to admonish them. This is what the verse states: “You shall surely die.”
Why have you prophesied in the name of Hashem, saying: This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without an inhabitant?’ And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of Hashem.
verse value 4832
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 81 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "this" (הַזֶּ֔ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Jeremiah" (אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "you·were·nebaiothed" (נִבֵּ֨יתָ), "in·the·name·of·Hashem" (בְשֵׁם־יְהֹוָ֜ה), "will·be·waste" (תֶּחֱרַ֖ב). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·the·name·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "saying" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "to·Jeremiah" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root קהל ("and·gathered") in Jeremiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'dwelling', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 5 words.
Radak
"Why have you prophesied [nibbeita]?" [It is written] without an aleph, like [verbs that are] "ba'alei heh" [roots ending in heh].
"Like Shiloh this house shall become." The first instance [in verse 6] is written with a heh, and this one with a vav, and both are defective [i.e., missing the yud].
Metzudat David
"To Jeremiah." To the place where Jeremiah stood there.
Metzudat Zion
Tacharav. From the word churban:
"And he gathered." The meaning is "assembly," as in: "And Moses gathered" (Exodus 35:1).
Malbim
Why did you prophesy in the name of the Lord? Even though the prophecy is true, you should not have prophesied against our will, for we do not desire such a prophecy, even though it is from the Lord.
When the princes of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king’s house to the house of Hashem; and they sat in the entry of the new gate of Hashem’S house.
verse value 4509
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 66 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "princes·of" (שָׂרֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "from·house·of·the·king" (מִבֵּית־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "from·house·of·the·king" (מִבֵּית־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ), "the·gate·of·Hashem" (שַֽׁעַר־יְהֹוָ֖ה). The root בית appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "the·words" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah); "and·they·heard" (root שמע, 184x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 4 words.
Rashi
"And the princes of Judah heard" – that the false prophets and the priests seized Jeremiah.
"At the entrance of the new gate of the Lord." Others emended [the text] to read: When Jehoiachin was exiled, and a portion of all the House of our God went with him, the army of Nebuchadnezzar broke the eastern gate; and Zedekiah returned and repaired it and renewed it; therefore it is called 'new.'
Radak
"At the entrance of the new gate of the Lord." This is the eastern gate, as Targum Yonatan renders: "At the entrance of the gate of the Sanctuary of the Lord, the eastern one." And our Sages of blessed memory explained that it is called "the new one" because the sages there renewed the halakhah. Seven names were given to it. It is also possible to explain that they renovated it, or that they constructed some building within it; therefore, it was called "the new one."
Metzudat David
"And they heard." Because of the commotion of the crowd of the people, [the officials] heard about these matters:
The House of the Lord. To the House of the Lord:
"At the entrance of the gate." This means in the open space of the gate.
"The new." It is possible that it had fallen into disrepair and they renewed it by rebuilding it (and perhaps this is what Jotham built, as it is stated: "He built the upper gate of the House of the Lord," II Kings 15).
Malbim
And the princes of Judah heard, indeed the princes came to examine the matter whether he was liable to death according to the law, for it is not fitting for the princes to kill an innocent person without cause, and then the people withdrew, for the people believed that he was a messenger from the Lord, and it is impossible to kill him according to the judgment and the law.
Then spoke the priests and the prophets to the princes and to all the people, saying: ‘This man is worthy of death; for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your ears.’
verse value 5112
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 83 letters. Verse gematria: 5112 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֤י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·to·all·the·people" (וְאֶל־כׇּל־הָעָ֖ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 130: the·priests, in·your·ears. The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "as" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
"A judgment of death." For they suspected him that he prophesied the matter from his own mind [lit. "from his heart"], and therefore they said that he is subject to the obligation of capital punishment.
To the city. Against the city:
"As you have heard." The people heard from the mouth of Jeremiah, and the princes from the mouth of the reporters.
Malbim
And the priests and the prophets said to the princes and to all the people: Indeed, the priests and the prophets did not believe in his prophecy and desired to put him to death, on the grounds that he was a false prophet speaking in the name of the Lord (for the false prophets were refuting his prophecy and prophesying the opposite). Therefore, they argued with the princes and the people, saying, “This man deserves the death penalty,” meaning that he should be put to death according to the law and judgment, because he prophesied concerning this city, as you have heard with your ears, and it is a false prophecy, for the Lord did not send him. Specifically, the people did not agree with this point. Nevertheless, the prophets desired to put him to death according to the law, on the grounds that he was a false prophet, and they wanted the princes to judge him in court. The people did not agree with this particular point, and yet they still desired to put him to death, even though he was a true prophet, in order to remove the harm that they would suffer from his prophecy, which foretold calamity.
Then spoke Jeremiah to all the princes and to all the people, saying: ‘Hashem sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard.
verse value 5412
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 84 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "this" (הַזֶּה֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·the·princes" (אֶל־כׇּל־הַשָּׂרִ֔ים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 271: Jeremiah, saying. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·all·the·princes" (אֶל־כׇּל־הַשָּׂרִ֔ים). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'saying', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 11 words.
Metzudat David
"The Lord sent me." And not from my own heart did I speak these words.
Malbim
And Jeremiah said to all the officials and to all the people: Jeremiah responded to both sides—both to the officials who wished to judge him with the sentence of death according to the law, and to the people who wished to kill him in order to remove the harm that came to them from his prophecy. Regarding the side that wanted to kill him by legal judgment on the grounds that he was a false prophet, he replied: “The Lord sent me to prophesy concerning this house,” which is a true prophecy. And regarding the side of the people who wanted to kill him to remove the harm, he said: “Now therefore, amend your ways and your doings.” On the contrary, the fact that the Lord sent me to inform you of this is a sign that He desires that you improve your ways, and that then He will relent from the evil which He has spoken against you; and thus, no harm will come to you from my prophecy.
Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and hearken to the voice of Hashem your God; and Hashem will repent Him of the evil that He has pronounced against you.
verse value 3083
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 69 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֥ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·your·deeds" (וּמַ֣עַלְלֵיכֶ֔ם, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·hear" (וְשִׁמְע֕וּ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "to·the·evil" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·God', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּ֗ה [now] (481) + הֵיטִ֤יבוּ [do·well] (42) + דַרְכֵיכֶם֙ [your·ways] (294) + וּמַ֣עַלְלֵיכֶ֔ם [and·your·deeds] (246) + וְשִׁמְע֕וּ [and·hear] (422) + בְּק֖וֹל [voice] (138) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם [your·God] (106) + וְיִנָּחֵ֣ם [and·He·will·relent] (114) + יְהֹוָ֔ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶל־הָ֣רָעָ֔ה [to·the·evil] (311) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + דִּבֶּ֖ר [He·spoke] (206) + עֲלֵיכֶֽם [upon·you] (170) = 3083.
Metzudat David
"And now." Since they are from the Lord, improve and correct your ways, etc., and then the Lord will relent of the evil, etc.
Metzudat Zion
"Improve [your ways]." The meaning is repair, as in "How will you improve your way" (above, 2:33).
But as for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as is good and right in your eyes.
verse value 1449
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 34 letters. The shortest word is "and·I" (וַאֲנִ֖י, 4 letters) and the longest is "in·your·eyes" (בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "do·to·me" (עֲשׂוּ־לִ֛י), "as·the·good" (כַּטּ֥וֹב), "and·as·the·right" (וְכַיָּשָׁ֖ר). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "do·to·me" (root עשה, 147x in Jeremiah); "they" (root הן, 130x in Jeremiah); "in·your·hand" (root יד, 98x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·your·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַאֲנִ֖י [and·I] (67) + הִנְנִ֣י [they] (115) + בְיֶדְכֶ֑ם [in·your·hand] (76) + עֲשׂוּ־לִ֛י [do·to·me] (416) + כַּטּ֥וֹב [as·the·good] (37) + וְכַיָּשָׁ֖ר [and·as·the·right] (536) + בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם [in·your·eyes] (202) = 1449.
Metzudat David
"According to what is good..." – Meaning: according to what appears to you.
Malbim
And I, behold, I am in your hands: if you wish to put me to death, do unto me what is good and right in your eyes. This means: whether from the perspective that you deem the death penalty justly due to me according to the law, which is a good thing in your eyes; or from the perspective that you wish to put me to death not according to the law, but merely to remove the harm, which is not a good thing, but rather what seems right in your eyes—in any case, behold, I am in your hands.
Only know you for certain that, if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof; for of a truth Hashem has sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.’
verse value 6718
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 108 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "indeed" (אַ֣ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·upon·its·inhabitants" (וְאֶל־יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 441: you, you. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "if·putting·to·death" (אִם־מְמִתִ֣ים), "for·blood" (כִּי־דָ֣ם), "giving" (נֹתְנִ֣ים). The root כי appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah); "upon·you" (root על, 276x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·upon·its·inhabitants', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
For the blood of the innocent. The sin of innocent blood:
Malbim
Yet you shall know and be sure that by this you will not remove the harm from yourselves, for you are bringing upon yourselves and upon this city the blood of the innocent, and you will add to the burning anger of the Lord against you. And it is not a good thing according to the law, for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak in your ears, etc.
Then said the princes and all the people to the priests and to the prophets: ‘This man is not worthy of death; for he has spoken to us in the name of Hashem our God.’
verse value 3402
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 75 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3402 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֗י, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·to·the·prophets" (וְאֶל־הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים, 10 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "to·the·priests" (אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים), "there-is-not·to·the·man" (אֵין־לָאִ֤ישׁ). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·they·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "for" (root כי, 318x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·to·the·prophets', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 9 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ [and·they·said] (263) + הַשָּׂרִים֙ [the·princes] (555) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֔ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים [to·the·priests] (161) + וְאֶל־הַנְּבִיאִ֑ים [and·to·the·prophets] (155) + אֵין־לָאִ֤ישׁ [there-is-not·to·the·man] (402) + הַזֶּה֙ [this] (17) + מִשְׁפַּט־מָ֔וֶת [judgment·of·death] (875) + כִּ֗י [for] (30) + בְּשֵׁ֛ם [in·name·of] (342) + יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ [our·God] (102) + דִּבֶּ֥ר [he·spoke] (206) + אֵלֵֽינוּ [to·us] (97) = 3402.
Metzudat David
"And all the people." Although at first they sided with the priests and the prophets, now, upon hearing the words of Jeremiah, who spoke by the commission of God, they retracted from their former position.
"For in the name of the Lord." And he did not speak it from his own mind.
Malbim
And the princes and all the people said to the priests: At that time, the princes agreed with the people against the claim of the priests and the prophets. And they said: “There is no law of death for this man,” meaning that it is not possible to put him to death by legal judgment and due process, for he spoke in the name of the Lord our God, and his prophecy is true. Nevertheless, despite all this, the people still held the opinion that he should be put to death outside of legal judgment, in order to remove the harm that, in their view, was coming upon them as a result of his prophecy.
Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spoke to all the assembly of the people, saying:
verse value 1931
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "the·people" (הָעָ֖ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·assembly" (אֶֽל־כׇּל־קְהַ֥ל, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·they·arose" (וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ), "from·the·elders·of" (מִזִּקְנֵ֖י), "to·all·assembly" (אֶֽל־כׇּל־קְהַ֥ל). The root אמר appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "to·all·assembly" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "earth" (root ארץ, 245x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'earth', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיָּקֻ֣מוּ [and·they·arose] (162) + אֲנָשִׁ֔ים [man] (401) + מִזִּקְנֵ֖י [from·the·elders·of] (207) + הָאָ֑רֶץ [earth] (296) + וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ [and·they·said] (263) + אֶֽל־כׇּל־קְהַ֥ל [to·all·assembly] (216) + הָעָ֖ם [the·people] (115) + לֵאמֹֽר [saying] (271) = 1931.
Radak
"And certain men arose from the elders of the land." These were the elders who were righteous men, and they related this matter that occurred in the days of Hezekiah, when Micah prophesied, "Zion shall be plowed as a field," as it is also written in the prophecy of Micah:
Metzudat David
And they said, etc. They brought a proof to exempt Jeremiah from the death penalty:
Malbim
"And they arose" — at that time, men arose from among the elders of the people to silence the populace and to clarify that he should not be put to death out of fear of the harm that might come from his prophecies. For behold, (18–19) Micah the Morashtite also prophesied in the days of Hezekiah words like these — was he then put to death? Behold, he was not put to death! For because they entreated the presence of the Lord, the Lord relented concerning the evil, and the decree was annulled through repentance and prayer, and no harm came from his prophecy. Whereas we, in contrast, are doing great evil to our own souls, and by this the harm will not be averted, for the evil will increase through the sin of killing him.
’Micah the Morashtite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying: Thus says Hashem of hosts: Zion shall be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem shall become heaps, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.
verse value 6963
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 116 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "was" (הָיָ֣ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "king·Judah" (מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֑ה, 8 letters). 11 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "Micah" ((מיכיה)), "Micah" (מִיכָה֙), "Morasthite see Moreshethgath" (הַמּ֣וֹרַשְׁתִּ֔י). The root אמר appears 3 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "and·said" (root אמר, 476x in Jeremiah); "to·all·with" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'king·Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 17 words.
Rashi
Micah the Morashtite. He was from Mareshah:
"Heaps of ruins." Mounds:
Metzudat David
"A field that shall be plowed." This means: it shall be plowed in order to become a field for sowing.
"It shall become heaps." It shall be full of heaps of rubble, like ruined houses from the collapse of their walls.
"A shrine in the forest." It shall be filled with heaps of stones, resembling the shrines/altars found in the forest.
Metzudat Zion
"Eyyim." The meaning is heaps and mounds, as in [the verse]: "They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins" (Psalms 79:1).
"To the heights." Elevated mounds, for the term "bamah" connotes height, as in "the heights of the cloud" (Isaiah 14:14).
Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not fear Hashem, and entreat the favour of Hashem, and Hashem repented Him of the evil which He had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our own souls.’
verse value 5722
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 110 letters. Notable word values: "and·all·Judah" (וְכׇל־יְהוּדָ֗ה) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "not" (הֲלֹא֮, 3 letters) and the longest is "upon·our·souls" (עַל־נַפְשׁוֹתֵֽינוּ, 10 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "surely" (הֶהָמֵ֣ת), "did·they·put·him·to·death" (הֱ֠מִתֻ֠הוּ), "and·entreated" (וַיְחַל֙). The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "that·He·spoke" (root אשר, 459x in Jeremiah); "not" (root לא, 307x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'upon·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 5 words.
Rashi
"And he entreated." This is a term of prayer:
And we are doing a great evil. If we kill him:
Radak
"Does he not fear God?" As it is written in Chronicles: "Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart..." [The elders] answered them—the people who wanted to put Jeremiah to death.
Metzudat David
"Did he put him to death?" And did Hezekiah put him to death, etc., because he prophesied thus?
"Did he not fear?" Was not King Hezekiah in fear of the Lord, and did he not pray before Him to annul the decree? And then the Lord relented concerning the evil, etc.
"And we." But we, when we put him to death, will commit an even greater evil against our own souls; it is not enough that He will not relent of the evil, but rather He will add still more evil.
Metzudat Zion
"And he entreated." The term denotes prayer, as in "And Moses entreated" (Exodus 32:11).
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of Hashem, Uriah the son of Shemaiah of Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah;
verse value 5276
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 85 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "was" (הָיָ֤ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Shemaiah" (בֶּֽן־שְׁמַעְיָ֔הוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 413: this, this. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·also·man" (וְגַם־אִ֗ישׁ), "prophesying" (מִתְנַבֵּא֙), "from·Kiriath" (מִקִּרְיַ֖ת). The root נבא appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 725x in Jeremiah); "words·of" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah); "was" (root היה, 250x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Jearim', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 8 words.
Rashi
“And also a man was prophesying.” He who said this did not say that. Thus far are the words of the righteous. And the wicked who were there stood up and said, “Also a man was prophesying,” etc. Just as Uriah was put to death, so too shall Jeremiah be put to death. This is explicitly stated in the Sifrei.
Radak
“And also a man was prophesying, etc.”—This means: What of this testimony that you are bearing, that Hezekiah did not kill him when he was prophesying evil? Behold, Jehoiakim, king of Judah, was like him, and in this very year he killed Uriah because he was prophesying evil, just as Jeremiah was. Therefore, Jeremiah too will be killed.
Metzudat David
“And also a man was prophesying.” These are the words of the priests and the prophets, who said: What is this testimony and proof? Behold, even a man was prophesying in the name of the Lord. This means that he was established as a prophet of the Lord.
And he prophesied. This means that he was prophesying in his usual manner in the name of the Lord.
Malbim
(20-21) And furthermore, the author of the book now informs us that the argument of the elders of the people was not effective in saving Jeremiah from death, for at that very time Uriah also prophesied in accordance with the words of Jeremiah, and he too prophesied in the name of the Lord, and nevertheless he was put to death by the king. And do not say that the matter happened suddenly, without due deliberation, for behold, he fled to Egypt.
and when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;
verse value 4689
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 83 letters. The shortest word is "king" (הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "king·Jehoiakim" (הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־יְ֠הוֹיָקִ֠ים, 11 letters). Words sharing gematria 426: and·he·heard, and·he·heard. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "king·Jehoiakim" (הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־יְ֠הוֹיָקִ֠ים), "and·all·mighty·men·his" (וְכׇל־גִּבּוֹרָ֤יו), "his·words" (אֶת־דְּבָרָ֔יו). The root שמע appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·words" (root דבר, 270x in Jeremiah); "king·Jehoiakim" (root מלך, 253x in Jeremiah); "and·came" (root בוא, 211x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·kill·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע [and·he·heard] (426) + הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־יְ֠הוֹיָקִ֠ים [king·Jehoiakim] (276) + וְכׇל־גִּבּוֹרָ֤יו [and·all·mighty·men·his] (283) + וְכׇל־הַשָּׂרִים֙ [and·all·the·princes] (611) + אֶת־דְּבָרָ֔יו [his·words] (623) + וַיְבַקֵּ֥שׁ [and·sought] (418) + הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [king] (95) + הֲמִית֑וֹ [to·kill·him] (461) + וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע [and·he·heard] (426) + אוּרִיָּ֙הוּ֙ [Uriah] (228) + וַיִּרָ֔א [and·he·feared] (217) + וַיִּבְרַ֖ח [and·fled] (226) + וַיָּבֹ֥א [and·came] (19) + מִצְרָֽיִם [Egypt] (380) = 4689.
Radak
"He was afraid [va-yira]." With a firm yod; and the root's yod is hidden from the spelling.
Metzudat David
And the king sought to have him put to death, because he did not believe him that it was a word of God.
And Uriah heard. That the king desired to put him to death:
and Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt;
verse value 3918
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 56 letters. The shortest word is "with·him" (אִתּ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "Jehoiakim" (יְהוֹיָקִ֛ים, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 407: and·men, with·him. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·men" (וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים), "to·Egypt" (אֶל־מִצְרָֽיִם). The root איש appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "king" (root מלך, 253x in Jeremiah); "man" (root איש, 153x in Jeremiah); "son·of·Achbor" (root בין, 146x in Jeremiah). First appearance of the root אלנתן ("Elnathan") in Jeremiah. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Egypt', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 6 words.
Radak
"Elnathan." It is a single word.
Malbim
(22-23) "And the king sent and brought him from Egypt" — surely he had time to deliberate on the matter. And do not say that he was executed by the court's verdict, for they deemed him a false prophet; for behold, he was struck with the sword, whereas the death penalty for a false prophet is by strangulation. Moreover, they cast his carcass into the graves of the people, whereas one executed by court sentence is buried in the cemetery designated for those liable to capital punishment. And so it would have been for Jeremiah as well.
and they fetched forth Uriah out of Egypt, and brought him to Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the children of the people.
verse value 3549
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 73 letters. Verse gematria: 3549 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "son" (בְּנֵ֥י, 3 letters) and the longest is "Uriah" (אֶת־אוּרִיָּ֜הוּ, 8 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "and·they·brought·out" (וַיּוֹצִ֨יאוּ), "Uriah" (אֶת־אוּרִיָּ֜הוּ), "and·struck·him" (וַיַּכֵּ֖הוּ). The root איל appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·king" (root איל, 293x in Jeremiah); "and·they·brought·him" (root בוא, 211x in Jeremiah); "in·the·sword" (root חרב, 87x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·sword', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיּוֹצִ֨יאוּ [and·they·brought·out] (129) + אֶת־אוּרִיָּ֜הוּ [Uriah] (629) + מִמִּצְרַ֗יִם [from·Egypt] (420) + וַיְבִאֻ֙הוּ֙ [and·they·brought·him] (30) + אֶל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ [to·the·king] (126) + יְהוֹיָקִ֔ים [Jehoiakim] (181) + וַיַּכֵּ֖הוּ [and·struck·him] (47) + בֶּחָ֑רֶב [in·the·sword] (212) + וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ֙ [and·threw] (366) + אֶת־נִבְלָת֔וֹ [carcass] (889) + אֶל־קִבְרֵ֖י [to·graves·of] (343) + בְּנֵ֥י [son] (62) + הָעָֽם [the·people] (115) = 3549.
Metzudat David
"And he cast." This was a manner of contempt: he cast his carcass into the graves of the people, and did not bury him in the burial place of the prophets, for they considered him a rebel who spoke falsely, one whom the Lord had not commanded. And it was as if they were saying, "Behold, Jeremiah is like him, and he deserves to be put to death like him."
Metzudat Zion
"its carcass." Even the body of a deceased human being is called a carcass:
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
verse value 4069
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 48 letters. Verse gematria: 4069 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "indeed" (אַ֗ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "with·Jeremiah" (אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in Jeremiah. Unique to this verse in Jeremiah (hapax): "hand" (יַ֚ד), "Ahikam" (אֲחִיקָ֣ם), "to·give·him" (תֵּת־אֹת֥וֹ). The root יד appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "was" (root היה, 250x in Jeremiah); "son·of·Shaphan" (root בין, 146x in Jeremiah); "to·give·him" (root נתן, 141x in Jeremiah). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·Jeremiah', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: אַ֗ךְ [indeed] (21) + יַ֚ד [hand] (14) + אֲחִיקָ֣ם [Ahikam] (159) + בֶּן־שָׁפָ֔ן [son·of·Shaphan] (482) + הָיְתָ֖ה [was] (420) + אֶֽת־יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ [with·Jeremiah] (672) + לְבִלְתִּ֛י [and·not·to] (472) + תֵּת־אֹת֥וֹ [to·give·him] (1207) + בְיַד־הָעָ֖ם [in·hand·of·the·people] (131) + לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ [to·kill·him] (491) = 4069.
Metzudat David
"But the hand of Ahikam." When they heard the words of the priests and the prophets, the officials no longer said a word, and the people returned to being drawn after the opinion of the priests and the prophets; but the hand of Ahikam alone was with Jeremiah, so as not to deliver him into the hands of the people to put him to death, and by the strength of his hand he overpowered them all and saved him.
Metzudat Zion
"Yad" [hand]. The meaning is strength and exertion:
Malbim
But Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, alone saved him from the hand of the people and the multitude; for had he not stood as a shield for him, the people would have put him to death in their anger.
Rashi