The Bible Says
Jeremiah 26:20-23 Meaning

In Jeremiah 26:20, we meet Uriah, another prophet who delivers a warning to the people of Judah: Indeed, there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriah the son of Shemaiah from Kiriath-jearim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land words similar to all those of Jeremiah (v. 20). Uriah is described as coming from Kiriath-jearim, a place located west of Jerusalem in the tribal territory of Judah. Historically, Kiriath-jearim is known for housing the ark of the covenant after it was returned by the Philistines (1 Samuel 7). This detail shows that Uriah had roots in a site where reverence toward God had been witnessed in earlier generations, placing him in a long tradition of engagement with the LORD’s presence. Much like Jeremiah, Uriah’s message was a call to heed divine warnings, suggesting a united front of prophets raising alarm for national repentance.

His commission is said to be “in the name of the LORD” (v. 20), signifying that he carried divine authority as he confronted the people with the same condemnatory tone that Jeremiah used. The parallel between Jeremiah’s and Uriah’s messages highlights how God often sends multiple voices to emphasize the gravity of His words. This emphasizes the seriousness of the situation in Judah, where sin, idolatry, and injustice demanded confrontation.

Within Jeremiah 26:20, we also see the reality that God’s prophets sometimes come from relatively obscure origins, like Kiriath-jearim, symbolizing that divine truth can be proclaimed from unlikely places. Their messages carry equal weight, reminding the people that warnings from the LORD are not limited to one spokesperson but can arise from various prophets who confirm each other’s words.

In Jeremiah 26:21, we learn of the king’s immediate and hostile reaction: When King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and all the officials heard his words, then the king sought to put him to death; but Uriah heard it, and he was afraid and fled and went to Egypt (v. 21). King Jehoiakim, who reigned from 609 to 598 BC in Judah, was known for his resistance to prophetic messages that pronounced judgment upon his kingdom. Surrounded by his influential advisors, the king decided that Uriah’s prophecies were insupportable threats to the stability of his reign.

This verse highlights the danger that prophets faced when their words opposed royal intrigue or national confidence. By seeking to put Uriah to death (v. 21), King Jehoiakim showed that his heart was far from repentance. Sometimes, when confronted with divine truth, people respond with hostility because the message challenges their comfort and security. Sadly, the king’s choice to silence a warning from the LORD reflects a stubbornness that would eventually lead to Jerusalem’s downfall.

We also see Uriah’s state of fear. Realizing the threat to his life, he fled to Egypt, a location that had long been a place of refuge for people from the land of Judah since the days when Abraham journeyed there during famine (Genesis 12). Egypt, lying to the southwest of Judah, held a historical reputation as a regional power where political fugitives might blend in and momentarily find sanctuary from danger.

However, Jeremiah 26:22 shows that fear begins to translate into broader royal action: Then King Jehoiakim sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor and certain men with him went to Egypt (v. 22). King Jehoiakim dispatches a small group, led by Elnathan the son of Achbor, to apprehend the prophet who had escaped. Elnathan appears to be a court official set apart for the task of ensuring that no opponent of the throne can securely hide beyond Judah’s borders.

This scenario illustrates the extent to which those in power will go to maintain control. Even though Egypt was a separate political entity, Jehoiakim’s influence and his connections made it possible for these messengers to cross the boundary and track Uriah down. It is a pointed reminder that threats against God’s messages can come from determined leaders who perceive prophetic voices as threats to authority.

That Elnathan and his men could reach Uriah is a testament to Jehoiakim’s reach and willingness to collaborate with powers outside Judah to silence God’s servants. This whole pursuit signals a tragic unwillingness to reckon with the content of the prophecy itself, focusing instead on removing the messenger.

Finally, Jeremiah 26:23 reveals the grim conclusion to Uriah’s flight: And they brought Uriah from Egypt and led him to King Jehoiakim, who slew him with a sword and cast his dead body into the burial place of the common people (v. 23). The prophet’s execution underscores how rigid and hostile King Jehoiakim’s regime had become, refusing to listen or repent. Rather than humbling himself before the word of the LORD, the king resorted to violence to maintain illusions of control.

The act of casting Uriah’s body into the graves meant for the masses showed the utter contempt Jehoiakim had for this prophet. Instead of honoring a servant of God with a dignified burial, the king opted for disgrace, seemingly erasing any reminder of Uriah’s message from memory. Tragically, such fierce opposition to God’s word would serve as an omen for Judah’s eventual downfall under Babylonian aggression.

Uriah’s end painfully proclaims the cost of faithfulness in speaking God’s will. Centuries later, Jesus also warned that persecution would befall those who stand for truth (Matthew 5). Uriah’s story, like that of many prophets, shows that divine warnings and messages often come with grave risk when confronted by hardened hearts in power.