Jeremiah 37:1 kjv
And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
Jeremiah 37:1 nkjv
Now King Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
Jeremiah 37:1 niv
Zedekiah son of Josiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he reigned in place of Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim.
Jeremiah 37:1 esv
Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim.
Jeremiah 37:1 nlt
Zedekiah son of Josiah succeeded Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim as the king of Judah. He was appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
Jeremiah 37 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 37:1 | Jer 37:1 The words that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made war against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah... | Historical setting: Babylonian siege of Jerusalem |
| Jer 37:2 | Jer 37:2 So the army of the king of Babylon fought against Jerusalem, and the prophets... | Jeremiah's continued prophecy during the siege |
| Jer 37:3 | Jer 37:3 ... Zedekiah the king of Judah and his officials asked Jeremiah the prophet to intercede with the LORD their God for them. | Zedekiah seeks divine intervention through Jeremiah |
| Jer 37:4 | Jer 37:4 When Pharaoh's army came out of Egypt, and the Babylonians heard the report of it, they raised the siege of Jerusalem. | Hope arises as Egyptians intervene |
| Jer 37:5 | Jer 37:5 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: | God's word comes to Jeremiah amidst events |
| Jer 37:6 | Jer 37:6 "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Thus shall you say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me:’ ... | God's direct message through Jeremiah |
| Jer 37:7 | Jer 37:7 ‘Pharaoh's army is coming out of Egypt... | Response regarding Pharaoh's army |
| Jer 37:8 | Jer 37:8 ... and when the king of Babylon hears this report, he will return from attacking Jerusalem. | Expected outcome of Egyptian intervention |
| Jer 37:9 | Jer 37:9 You shall say, "Thus says the LORD, Do not deceive yourselves, saying, ‘The Babylonians will surely leave us... | Warning against false hope |
| Jer 37:10 | Jer 37:10 For even if you should strike down the whole army of Babylon that is fighting against you, and there should remain only wounded men among them, ... | Consequences of defiance |
| Jer 37:11 | Jer 37:11 ... every man would rise up from his tent and burn this city with fire." | God's judgment upon the city |
| Jer 37:12 | Jer 37:12 When the army of the king of Babylon raised the siege from Jerusalem because of the king of Babylon's army, | Siege momentarily lifted |
| Jer 37:13 | Jer 37:13 and Jeremiah was about to go out of Jerusalem to the land of Benjamin to receive his share of the property there among the people, | Jeremiah attempts to leave Jerusalem |
| Jer 37:14 | Jer 37:14 it happened that the captain of the guard, seeing him among the people, took Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, "You are intending to go over to the army of the Chaldeans." | Jeremiah arrested by guard captain |
| Jer 37:15 | Jer 37:15 Jeremiah said, "That is a lie. I am not going over to the Chaldeans." But the captain of the guard did not believe him, and arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. | Jeremiah denies intentions, is disbelieved and arrested |
| Jer 37:16 | Jer 37:16 Then the officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and shut him up in the room of the secretary Jonathan, for it had been made a prison. | Jeremiah is beaten and imprisoned |
| Jer 37:17 | Jer 37:17 Then King Zedekiah sent, and took him out; and King Zedekiah asked him secretly in his house, and said, "Is there any word from the LORD?" Jeremiah said, "There is." | Zedekiah secretly questions Jeremiah again |
| Jer 37:18 | Jer 37:18 He said, "You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon." | Jeremiah reiterates prophecy of capture |
| Jer 37:19 | Jer 37:19 And Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What was my offense that you have put me in prison? | Jeremiah questions his imprisonment |
| Jer 37:20 | Jer 37:20 Where are those prophets who prophesied to you that the king of Babylon would not come against you and against this land? | Jeremiah points to false prophets |
| Jer 37:21 | Jer 37:21 Do not let my lord the king now give heed to them, nor let them be a reason for my death by their hand. | Request to disregard false prophets |
| Jer 28:1 | Jer 28:1 In the fifth month of that year, the month of Abib, the false prophet Hananiah son of Azur, from Gibeon, came to me in the temple of the LORD. | Contrast with false prophet Hananiah |
| Jer 29:31 | Jer 29:31 Send to all those exiled to Babylon, saying, "Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: ... | God's judgment on false prophets |
| Ezek 13:6 | Ezek 13:6 They have visions that are false and divine dealings that lie. They say, 'The LORD declares,' when he has not sent them; yet they expect their word to hold true. | Description of false prophets' deceit |
| 1 Kings 22:11 | 1 Kings 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron and said, "Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans till they are utterly vanquished.’ | Similar false prophetic behavior |
Jeremiah 37 verses
Jeremiah 37 1 Meaning
Jeremiah 37:1 states that King Zedekiah appointed the prophet Jeremiah, along with the priest Hilkiah's son Zephaniah, to petition God on behalf of Jerusalem. This event occurred during the Babylonian siege. It signifies Zedekiah's acknowledgment of Jeremiah's prophetic role, even amidst intense national crisis.
Jeremiah 37 1 Context
Jeremiah chapter 37 occurs during a tumultuous period in Jerusalem's history, specifically when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was actively besieging the city. The initial verses set the scene with the Egyptian army marching towards Judea, causing the Babylonians to temporarily lift the siege of Jerusalem. This interlude created a flicker of hope, leading King Zedekiah to seek divine counsel through Jeremiah. However, God's message was a stern warning against false assurance. The chapter then details Jeremiah's subsequent arrest by the gate commander, Ebed-melech's intervention, his imprisonment, and Zedekiah's secret consultation with him. This segment highlights Jeremiah's continued faithfulness amidst persecution and Zedekiah's wavering commitment to God's word, even while seeking it.
Jeremiah 37 1 Word analysis
- Zedekiah: (Tsedekiyahu) Meaning "Yahweh is my righteousness." The last king of Judah, known for his spiritual weakness and tragic end. His reign marked the final years before the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem.
- king: (Melech) Hebrew word for king. Refers to Zedekiah, the titular head of the kingdom.
- Judah: (Yehudah) Refers to the kingdom of Judah, specifically its territory and people.
- officials: (Sareyw) Hebrew word for "princes" or "chiefs." High-ranking individuals in the court or government.
- Jeremiah: (Yirmeyahu) Meaning "Yahweh exalts" or "Yahweh throws." The prophet whose ministry spanned the final decades of Judah's existence.
- asked: (SHAAL) Hebrew for "inquire," "ask," "request." Indicates seeking information or help.
- LORD: (YHWH) The covenantal name of God, the Tetragrammaton, signifying His eternal and personal relationship with His people.
- intercede: (PAGHA') Hebrew for "meet," "strike," "intercede." Implies coming before someone on behalf of another, in this case, for divine favor.
- God: (Elohim) A general term for God, emphasizing His power and sovereignty.
- them: (Lahem) Refers to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
- Zedekiah the king of Judah sent: This phrase signifies Zedekiah initiating communication with Jeremiah. It’s a formal delegation to the prophet.
- went out: (YATSA') Hebrew for "go out," "come out." In this context, it implies Jeremiah's action of moving from Jerusalem.
- Benjamin: (Binyamin) A tribe and territory in the northern part of Judah, close to Jerusalem.
- among the people: (B'tok ha'am) Hebrew for "in the midst of the people." Indicates he was joining his fellow countrymen.
- captain of the guard: (Sar han-Matzre) Refers to an officer in charge of the military or royal guards, responsible for security and order.
- seeing him: (RA'ATHU) Hebrew for "seeing him." The captain’s personal observation of Jeremiah.
- the people: (BA'AM) Hebrew for "the people" or "the crowd." Indicates Jeremiah was among ordinary citizens.
- took him: (LAQAHO) Hebrew for "took him." Implies apprehending or seizing Jeremiah.
- You are intending to go over: (ATHA BA') Hebrew implies a wrongful intention to defect or join the enemy.
- Chaldeans: (Kasdim) Refers to the Babylonians, the dominant military force besieging Jerusalem.
- That is a lie: (SHEQER DAVAREKA) Hebrew meaning "Your words are a lie." A direct denial.
- believe him: (HA'AMEN LO) Hebrew meaning "believe him." The captain's lack of trust.
- arrested: (LAQAHO BBO) Hebrew meaning "took him prisoner" or "captured him."
- officials: (Ha-Sareym) Hebrew for "the officials" or "the princes." Those in authority.
- beat him: (HAKKO' OTO) Hebrew meaning "they struck him" or "beat him." Physical assault.
- shut him up: (VA YASOGERU) Hebrew meaning "they imprisoned him" or "shut him in."
- room of the secretary Jonathan: (BEITH HASH-SOHER HAYYETHIYH LHM LL MHQQ MNY HYHWL?) A specific location, likely a governmental building, used as a prison.
Jeremiah 37 1 Bonus section
This chapter emphasizes the distinction between prophetic utterance that seeks to please men and prophecy that delivers God's unadulterated truth. Jeremiah was not seeking to bolster hope against God's judgment, but to accurately convey God's perspective, even if it was grim. The action of Zedekiah seeking Jeremiah, only to then have him imprisoned, illustrates the perilous position of the prophet. The passage also hints at the theological landscape, where conflicting prophetic voices competed for influence. Jeremiah's predicament serves as a powerful example of suffering for righteousness' sake and faithfulness to God's word in the face of adversity and misrepresentation. The "room of the secretary Jonathan" functioning as a prison highlights how civil structures could be repurposed for religious persecution.
Jeremiah 37 1 Commentary
Jeremiah 37:1-21 depicts a crucial moment where leadership acknowledges prophetic truth amidst impending doom. Zedekiah, in his desperate state, turns to Jeremiah for divine guidance, a stark contrast to his earlier dismissal of God's word. The temporary lifting of the Babylonian siege, due to the approach of the Egyptian army, fuels a fragile hope in Jerusalem. God, however, immediately corrects this hope through Jeremiah, reiterating that no military intervention will ultimately save them from divine judgment. This message of unwavering divine wrath against Judah's disobedience is followed by Jeremiah’s arrest, underscoring the prophet's difficult and often dangerous calling. The kingship's demand for assurance is met with divine realism, highlighting the clash between human desire and divine justice. The events underscore the pervasive deception of false prophets and the isolation of those who speak God's unvarnished truth. Jeremiah’s subsequent secret consultation with Zedekiah shows the king’s internal conflict and personal desperation, yet he remains bound by political fear rather than prophetic conviction.