Jeremiah 19:1
New International Version
This is what the LORD says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD said to me: “Go and buy a clay jar. Then ask some of the leaders of the people and of the priests to follow you.

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD, “Go, buy a potter’s earthenware flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests,

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take some of the elders of the people and leaders of the priests,

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

New King James Version
Thus says the LORD: “Go and get a potter’s earthen flask, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests.

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests.

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD, “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests.

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD, “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh, “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests.

Amplified Bible
Thus says the LORD, “Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jar, and take some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests

Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Go, buy a potter’s clay jar. Take some of the elders of the people and some of the leading priests

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: “Go, buy a potter’s clay jar. Take some of the elders of the people and some of the leading priests

American Standard Version
Thus said Jehovah, Go, and buy a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests;

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said: Jeremiah, go to the pottery shop and buy a clay jar. Then take along some of the city officials and leading priests

English Revised Version
Thus said the LORD, Go, and buy a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says: Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the leaders of the people and some of the leaders of the priests.

Good News Translation
The LORD told me to go and buy a clay jar. He also told me to take some of the elders of the people and some of the older priests,

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says: "Go and buy a potter's clay jug. Take along some of the elders of the people and some of the elders of the priests.

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says: ?Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take some of the elders of the people and leaders of the priests,

NET Bible
The LORD told Jeremiah, "Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take with you some of the leaders of the people and some of the leaders of the priests.

New Heart English Bible
Thus said the LORD, "Go, and buy a potter's earthen bottle, and take with you some of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests;

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

World English Bible
Thus said Yahweh, “Go, and buy a potter’s earthen container, and take some of the elders of the people and of the elders of the priests;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH: “Go, and you have acquired a potter’s earthen vessel, and from [the] elderly of the people, and from [the] elderly of the priests,

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, 'Go, and thou hast got a potter's earthen vessel, and of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests,

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, Go and buy a potter's earthen bottle, and from the old men of the people and from the old men of the priests;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord: Go, and take a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord: “Go, and take a potter’s earthen bottle from the elders of the people and from the elders of the priests.

New American Bible
Thus said the LORD: Go, buy a potter’s earthenware flask. Take along some of the elders of the people and some of the priests,

New Revised Standard Version
Thus said the LORD: Go and buy a potter’s earthenware jug. Take with you some of the elders of the people and some of the senior priests,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THUS said the LORD to me, Go and buy a potters earthen jug, and take with you some of the elders of the people and some of the elderly priests;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus said to me LORD JEHOVAH: “Go and buy a pitcher of a Potter and take with you some Elders of the people and some Elders of the Priests
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus said the LORD: Go, and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the elders of the people, and of the elders of the priests;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then said the Lord to me, Go and get an earthen bottle, the work of the potter, and thou shalt bring some of the elders of the people, and of the priests;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Broken Jar
1This is what the LORD says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take some of the elders of the people and leaders of the priests, 2and go out to the Valley of Ben-hinnom near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. Proclaim there the words I speak to you,…

Cross References
Jeremiah 18:2-6
“Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will give you My message.” / So I went down to the potter’s house and saw him working at the wheel. / But the vessel that he was shaping from the clay became flawed in his hand; so he formed it into another vessel, as it seemed best for him to do. ...

Isaiah 30:14
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”

2 Kings 19:1-2
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

Isaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

Romans 9:20-21
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” / Does not the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay one vessel for special occasions and another for common use?

Isaiah 29:16
You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pottery say of the potter, “He has no understanding”?

2 Kings 23:10
He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech.

Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?

Matthew 27:7-10
After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. / That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. / Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, ...

Isaiah 64:8
But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

Hosea 1:10-11
Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ / Then the people of Judah and of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and will go up out of the land. For great will be the day of Jezreel.

2 Chronicles 34:4-5
Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.

Acts 4:11
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Ezekiel 37:11-14
Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look, they are saying, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ / Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ...

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD, Go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;

A.

Jeremiah 19:10,11
Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee, …

Jeremiah 18:2-4
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words…

Jeremiah 32:14
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.

the ancients of the people.

Jeremiah 26:17
Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,

Numbers 11:16
And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

1 Chronicles 24:4-6
And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers…

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Ancients Bottle Buy Clay Earth Earthen Earthenware Elders Flagon Flask Jar Money Potter Potter's Priests Responsible Senior Vessel
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Ancients Bottle Buy Clay Earth Earthen Earthenware Elders Flagon Flask Jar Money Potter Potter's Priests Responsible Senior Vessel
Jeremiah 19
1. Under the type of breaking a potter's vessel, is foreshown the desolation of the Jews














This is what the LORD says
The phrase underscores the divine authority behind the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction is a common prophetic formula, signifying that the message is not of human origin but from God Himself. It reminds us of the importance of listening to God's voice, as His words are life-giving and authoritative.

Go and buy a clay jar from a potter
The instruction to "go and buy" indicates a deliberate action that Jeremiah must undertake, symbolizing obedience to God's command. The "clay jar" or "earthenware flask" in Hebrew is "baqbuq," a vessel often used for storing liquids. This object becomes a powerful symbol in the narrative, representing the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The "potter" is a metaphor for God, the Creator, who shapes nations and individuals according to His will. This imagery is rich in biblical symbolism, as seen in Isaiah 64:8, where God is the potter and we are the clay. The act of purchasing the jar signifies the value and purpose God places on His creation, even when it is destined for destruction as a prophetic sign.

Take some of the elders of the people and some of the priests
The inclusion of "elders" and "priests" highlights the communal and religious leadership of Israel. Elders were respected leaders, often involved in decision-making and governance, while priests were responsible for spiritual guidance and temple rituals. By involving them, God ensures that the message is witnessed by those in positions of influence, emphasizing the seriousness of the prophecy. This gathering of leaders serves as a public testimony to the impending judgment, reinforcing the accountability of those who lead God's people. It also reflects the biblical principle that leaders bear a greater responsibility to heed God's warnings and guide their communities accordingly.

XIX.

(1) And get a potter's earthen bottle.--The word for "get" involves buying as the process. The similitude--one might better call it, the parable dramatised--represents the darker side of the imagery of Jeremiah 18:3-4. There the vessel was still on the potter's wheel, capable of being re-shaped. Now we have the vessel which has been baked and hardened. No change is possible. If it is unfit for the uses for which it was designed, there is nothing left but to break it. As such it became now the fit symbol of the obdurate people of Israel. Their polity, their nationality, their religious system, had to be broken up. The word for "vessel" indicates a large earthen jar with a narrow neck, the "cruse" used for honey in 1Kings 14:3. Its form, bakbuk, clearly intended to represent the gurgling sound of the water as it was poured out, is interesting as an example of onomatop?ia in the history of language.

Take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests.--The elders. and therefore the representatives of the civil and ecclesiastical rulers, were to be the witnesses of this acted prophecy of the destruction of all that they held most precious. The word "take" is not in the Hebrew, but either some such verb has to be supplied. or the verb "go" has to be carried on, "Let the ancients . . . go with thee."

Verse 1. - A potter's earthen bottle. Dr. Thomson speaks of the extreme cheapness and brittleness of the common pottery of Palestine (comp. Isaiah 30:14). The ancients of the people. The natural popular representatives (comp. Exodus 3:16; 2 Samuel 19:11; 1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 20:7). It was an announcement concerning the whole people that Jeremiah was about to make. The ancients of the priests (comp. 2 Kings 19:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go,
הָל֛וֹךְ (hā·lō·wḵ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

buy
וְקָנִ֥יתָ (wə·qā·nî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

a clay
חָ֑רֶשׂ (ḥā·reś)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2789: Earthenware, earthen vessel, sherd, potsherd

jar
בַקְבֻּ֖ק (ḇaq·buq)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1228: A bottle

from a potter.
יוֹצֵ֣ר (yō·w·ṣêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3335: To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine

Take some of the elders
וּמִזִּקְנֵ֣י (ū·miz·ziq·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and leaders
וּמִזִּקְנֵ֖י (ū·miz·ziq·nê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

of the priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃ (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 19:1 Thus said Yahweh Go and buy (Jer.)
Jeremiah 18:23
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