New International Version Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. New Living Translation For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. English Standard Version And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. Berean Standard Bible Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. Berean Literal Bible And behold, for I have made you this day as a fortified city, and as a pillar of iron, and as walls of bronze against all the land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. King James Bible For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. New King James Version For behold, I have made you this day A fortified city and an iron pillar, And bronze walls against the whole land— Against the kings of Judah, Against its princes, Against its priests, And against the people of the land. New American Standard Bible Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like a pillar of iron and walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, to its priests, and to the people of the land. NASB 1995 “Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. NASB 1977 “Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city, and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. Legacy Standard Bible Now behold, I have given you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests, and to the people of the land. Amplified Bible Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like an iron pillar and like bronze walls against the whole land—against the [successive] kings of Judah, against its leaders, against its priests, and against the people of the land [giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome]. Berean Annotated Bible Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah (praised), its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. Christian Standard Bible Today, I am the one who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. Holman Christian Standard Bible Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. American Standard Version For, behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. Contemporary English Version My power will make you strong like a fortress or a column of iron or a wall of bronze. You will oppose all of Judah, including its kings and leaders, its priests and people. English Revised Version For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. GOD'S WORD® Translation Today I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall. You will be able to stand up to the whole land. You will be able to stand up to Judah's kings, its officials, its priests, and [all] the common people. International Standard Version "As for me, today I'm making you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. NET Bible I, the LORD, hereby promise to make you as strong as a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall. You will be able to stand up against all who live in the land, including the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and all the people of the land. New Heart English Bible For, look, I have made you this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. Webster's Bible Translation For behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against her princes, against her priests, and against the people of the land. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. World English Bible For behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I, behold, have given you this day for a fortified city, and for an iron pillar, and for bronze walls over all the land, to the kings of Judah, to its heads, to its priests, and to the people of the land; Berean Literal Bible And behold, for I have made you this day as a fortified city, and as a pillar of iron, and as walls of bronze against all the land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. Young's Literal Translation And I, lo, I have given thee this day for a fenced city, and for an iron pillar, and for brazen walls over all the land, to the kings of Judah, to its heads, to its priests, and to the people of the land; Smith's Literal Translation Behold, I gave thee this day for a fortified city and for a pillar of iron and for a wall of brass upon all the land to the kings of Judah, to her chiefs, to her priests, and to the people of the land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor behold I have made thee this day a fortified city, and a pillar of iron, and a wall of brass, over all the land, to the kings of Juda, to the princes thereof, and to the priests, and to the people of the land. Catholic Public Domain Version For certainly, this day, I have made you like a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and a brass wall, over all the land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, and to the priests, and to the people of the land. New American Bible For I am the one who today makes you a fortified city, A pillar of iron, a wall of bronze, against the whole land: Against Judah’s kings and princes, its priests and the people of the land. New Revised Standard Version And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall, against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its princes, its priests, and the people of the land. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor, behold, I have made you this day like a fortified city and like an iron pillar and like a brass fence against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against their princes, against their priests, against their prophets, and against all the people of the land. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I, behold, I have made you today as a mighty city, and like pillars of iron, and like a wall of brass over all the Earth, over the Kings of Judea and over their Princes, and over their Priests, and over their Prophets and over all the people of the land OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For, behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, I have made thee this day as a strong city, and as a brazen wall, strong against all the kings of Juda, and the princes thereof, and the people of the land. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Call of Jeremiah…17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land— against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. 19They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.… Cross References Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, Isaiah 26:1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts. Psalm 48:12-13 March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers, / consider her ramparts, tour her citadels, that you may tell the next generation. Isaiah 60:18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. an iron pillar, Isaiah 48:4 For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze. Ezekiel 3:8-9 Behold, I will make your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. / I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.” Revelation 3:12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. and bronze walls Jeremiah 15:20 Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver you, declares the LORD. Isaiah 45:2 “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron. Deuteronomy 33:25 May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days.” against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. Psalm 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: Ezekiel 22:25-29 The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. … Jeremiah 26:8-11 and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! / How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. / When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. … Isaiah 50:7 Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame. Matthew 10:16-18 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. / But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. Acts 7:51-52 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. / So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. Treasury of Scripture For, behold, I have made you this day a defended city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. I have Jeremiah 6:27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way. Jeremiah 15:20 And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brasen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. against Jeremiah 21:4-14 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city… Jeremiah 22:1 Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, Jeremiah 26:12-15 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard… Jump to Previous Brasen Brazen Bronze City Defenced Fortified Iron Judah Kings Officials Pillar Priests Princes Stand Thereof Wall Walls WholeJump to Next Brasen Brazen Bronze City Defenced Fortified Iron Judah Kings Officials Pillar Priests Princes Stand Thereof Wall Walls WholeJeremiah 1 1. The time4. And the calling of Jeremiah 11. His prophetical visions of an almond rod and a seething pot 15. His heavy message against Judah 17. God encourages him with his promise of assistance Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, God appointed Jeremiah to stand secure amid the hostility his message would provoke. Like a city protected by strong walls and gates, he would not be overcome by those who opposed his calling. Isa 26:1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:… an iron pillar, Jeremiah would be given strength and firmness to remain faithful under pressure. He was not to yield when rulers, priests, or neighbors rejected the word he proclaimed. Isa 48:4 For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron… and bronze walls God would make Jeremiah durable against repeated attacks, preserving him through years of conflict and danger. His safety rested not in human support but in the Lord who sent him. Jer 15:20 Then I will make you a wall to this people,… against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. Jeremiah’s warnings would confront every level of Judah’s society, from the royal court and government leaders to the priests and ordinary people. The nation’s rebellion against God was widespread, and the prophet would face resistance because he announced judgment and called the people to turn from their sin. Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance and faithfulness amidst opposition. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its disobedience and idolatry. 3. Kings of Judah The ruling monarchs during Jeremiah's time, often resistant to his prophetic messages. 4. Officials and Priests The leaders and religious figures in Judah who were often corrupt and opposed Jeremiah's warnings. 5. People of the Land The general populace of Judah, who were also resistant to Jeremiah's message and God's call to repentance. Teaching Points Divine EmpowermentGod equips those He calls with the strength and resilience needed to fulfill their mission. Just as Jeremiah was made like a fortified city, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to stand firm in their faith. Facing Opposition Expect resistance when standing for God's truth. Jeremiah faced opposition from all levels of society, yet he remained steadfast. Believers should be prepared to encounter and withstand challenges. God's Protection The imagery of a fortified city, iron pillar, and bronze walls signifies God's protection. Trust in God's safeguarding presence, even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Faithfulness in Ministry Jeremiah's example teaches the importance of faithfulness in delivering God's message, regardless of the audience's response. Believers are called to be faithful messengers of the Gospel. Courage in Calling Embrace the courage that comes from knowing God is with you. Jeremiah's courage was rooted in God's promise to be with him, a promise that extends to all believers. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 1:18?2. How does Jeremiah 1:18 inspire you to stand firm in your faith today? 3. What does "fortified city" symbolize for believers facing opposition in today's world? 4. How can Jeremiah's calling in 1:18 relate to the Great Commission in Matthew 28? 5. In what ways can you be a "bronze wall" in your community? 6. How does God's promise of protection in Jeremiah 1:18 encourage your daily walk? 7. How does Jeremiah 1:18 illustrate God's protection and strength for believers today? 8. What historical context supports the imagery used in Jeremiah 1:18? 9. How does Jeremiah 1:18 challenge modern views on divine authority and human resilience? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 1? (18) I have made thee . . . a defenced city . . .--Images of strength are heaped one upon another. The prophet is represented as attacked by kings, princes, priests, and people, as the cities of Judah are by the invading armies. But the issue is different. They fall: he will hold out. The iron pillar is that which, rising in the centre of an Eastern house or temple (as, e.g., in Judges 16:25; 1Kings 7:21), supports the flat roof, and enables it to be used as a terrace or platform on which men may meet. The "brasen walls" probably refer to the practice of fastening plates of copper over the brick or stonework of a fortification.Verse 18. - Brasen walls. The plural is used instead of a collective term for the whole circle of fortifications. In the parallel passage (Jeremiah 15:20) the singular occurs; the same alternation of plural and singular as in 2 Kings 25:10; 1 Kings 3:1. The combination of figures strikingly expresses the invincibility of one whose strength is in his God. The kings of Judah. Why the plural? Most reply, Because Jeremiah would have to do with successive sovereigns. But this meaning would have been just as well conveyed by the singular: "the king of Judah," without any name being added - would moan the king who from time to time happened to be reigning. "Kings of Judah" in Jeremiah seems to have a special meaning, and to include all the members of the royal family, who formed a numerous and powerful class (see on Jeremiah 17:20).
Jeremiah 1:18 is God’s personal security guarantee to His newly appointed prophet. On the very day of his call, Jeremiah receives supernatural fortification—city-walls, iron, bronze—so he can proclaim unwelcome truth to every rank of society. The assurance is two-fold: resistance is inevitable, but so is preservation. By trusting the One who fashions and sustains the fortress, every believer sent to speak hard truth can stand firm, unafraid, and unashamed (Romans 1:16). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now behold,הִנֵּ֧ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! this day הַיּ֗וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day I וַאֲנִ֞י (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I have made נְתַתִּ֣יךָ (nə·ṯat·tî·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set you a fortified מִבְצָ֜ר (miḇ·ṣār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4013: A fortification, castle, fortified city, a defender city, לְעִ֨יר (lə·‘îr) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5892: Excitement an iron בַּרְזֶ֛ל (bar·zel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1270: Iron, an iron implement pillar, וּלְעַמּ֥וּד (ū·lə·‘am·mūḏ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5982: A column, a stand, platform and bronze נְחֹ֖שֶׁת (nə·ḥō·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5178: Copper, something made of that metal, coin, a fetter, base walls וּלְחֹמ֥וֹת (ū·lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 2346: A wall of protection against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the whole כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every land— הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land against the kings לְמַלְכֵ֤י (lə·mal·ḵê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4428: A king of Judah, יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites its officials, לְשָׂרֶ֔יהָ (lə·śā·re·hā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince its priests, לְכֹהֲנֶ֖יהָ (lə·ḵō·hă·ne·hā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 3548: Priest and the people וּלְעַ֥ם (ū·lə·‘am) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of the land. הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Additonal Resources Jeremiah 1:18 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 1:18 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 1:18 Bible.com Jeremiah 1:18 NIV |
    |