Jeremiah 26

2 all the cities of Judah. By their representatives, probably on some feast-day.

6 like Shiloh. See note on vii. 12. It is a probable supposition that the present narrative is to be connected with that chapter; these six verses being a summary of what is there given in greater detail, repeated as introductory to the narrative that follows.

10 came up. The princes, hearing of the tumult, came to the Temple, to bring the matter to a regular trial.

the new gate. Perhaps the gate built (or repaired) by Jotham: see 2 Kings xv. 35.

16 not worthy to die. There is a striking resemblance between this trial and that of our Lord before Pilate, as to the nature of the charge, the malignity of the priests, and the declaration of His innocence by the civil magistrate.

17 the elders of the land. Sustaining by argument the decision of the “princes and all the people.” The princes (or rulers) were the heads of the chief families, the elders were the representatives of the people at large.

18 the Morasthite. See Micah iii. 12, and notes.

20 there was also a man that prophesied, etc. This appears to be mentioned by Jeremiah himself to show that he was in imminent danger of falling a victim to the anger of his enemies. From this, however, he was saved by the kindness of an influential man (24) whose father had probably been the royal secretary (2 Kings xxii. 12-14), and who was himself the father of the noble and faithful Gedaliah (xl. 7).

Urijah. Nothing more is known of this prophet. The incident suggests the many unrecorded servants of Jehovah, who witnessed and suffered for Him.