Jeremiah 17:27 Meaning and Explanation
“But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If Judah refuses to observe the Sabbath, God will kindle a consuming fire in Jerusalem's gates that will destroy the palaces.
The Context of Jeremiah 17:27
Refusal to obey will bring unquenchable fire and destruction to Jerusalem as the ultimate consequence of covenant violation.
What Does Jeremiah 17:27 Mean?
The alternative to blessing is catastrophic judgment. The fire 'kindled in mine anger' (echoing verse 4) becomes explicit: refusal to hallow the Sabbath—refusal to acknowledge God's authority—will trigger divine destruction. The gates where the message was proclaimed will become the place of the fire, turning the threshold of the city into its funeral pyre.
The fire 'shall not be quenched' mirrors the unquenchable fire of God's anger in verse 4. Judgment is not temporary discipline but total devastation. The destruction of the palaces—the seats of power and pride—shows that no human strength or status will withstand God's wrath when covenant fidelity is abandoned.
Jeremiah 17:27 in the Original Language
אֵשׁ (esh), 'fire' — often metaphorical for judgment, purification through divine wrath, or the consuming power of God's judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 17:27
What does Jeremiah 17:27 mean?
If Judah refuses to observe the Sabbath, God will kindle a consuming fire in Jerusalem's gates that will destroy the palaces.
What is the context of Jeremiah 17:27?
Refusal to obey will bring unquenchable fire and destruction to Jerusalem as the ultimate consequence of covenant violation.