ירמיהו, פרק כ״ו, פסוק י״ב

When facing a crowd demanding his death, Jeremiah must defend his life against two distinct groups: the government officials and the general public. Each group is driven by a different motivation for wanting him executed [מלבי״ם]. The officials seek a formal, legal execution, arguing that he is a false prophet. The common people, however, want to kill him simply to eliminate the threat and the perceived damage that his prophecies of destruction bring upon them.

In his defense, Jeremiah declares that he is acting on a direct mission from God. The primary approach among commentators is that he makes this statement to clarify his role as a mere messenger. He emphasizes that he did not invent these harsh warnings from his own mind, nor did he speak on his own initiative.

This defense serves as a targeted response to both factions [מלבי״ם]. To the officials, Jeremiah argues that his message is a true prophecy received directly from God, meaning there are no legal grounds to condemn him as a false prophet. To the people, he explains that God sent him specifically to warn them. The entire purpose of his mission is to encourage the public to change their ways so that the harsh decree will be canceled. Rather than trying to cause them harm, his true goal is to save them from disaster.