Jeremiah 37 17

Jeremiah 37:17 kjv

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 37:17 nkjv

then Zedekiah the king sent and took him out. The king asked him secretly in his house, and said, "Is there any word from the LORD?" And Jeremiah said, "There is." Then he said, "You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon!"

Jeremiah 37:17 niv

Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, "Is there any word from the LORD?" "Yes," Jeremiah replied, "you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon."

Jeremiah 37:17 esv

King Zedekiah sent for him and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house and said, "Is there any word from the LORD?" Jeremiah said, "There is." Then he said, "You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon."

Jeremiah 37:17 nlt

Later King Zedekiah secretly requested that Jeremiah come to the palace, where the king asked him, "Do you have any messages from the LORD?" "Yes, I do!" said Jeremiah. "You will be defeated by the king of Babylon."

Jeremiah 37 verses

Jeremiah 37 17 meaning

Jeremiah 37:17 recounts a secret encounter between King Zedekiah and the prophet Jeremiah during a temporary lifting of the Babylonian siege on Jerusalem. Desperate and perhaps wavering between hope and fear, Zedekiah secretly seeks a true word from the LORD through Jeremiah, implicitly hoping for a prophecy of deliverance. Jeremiah, unwavering in his divine commission, immediately delivers an unwelcome but truthful message: there is indeed a word from the LORD, but it is one of certain doom and surrender, confirming that Zedekiah and Jerusalem will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 37 17 Context

Jeremiah 37 falls within the historical section of Jeremiah (chapters 26-45) chronicling events leading to Jerusalem's destruction. Chapters 37-38 particularly detail Jeremiah's imprisonment and persecution by Zedekiah and his officials, primarily due to his unwavering prophecies of impending doom. The chapter begins with Zedekiah succeeding Jehoiachin as king (appointed by Babylon). At this point, the Chaldean (Babylonian) army, which had been besieging Jerusalem, temporarily withdraws to counter an approaching Egyptian force (Jer 37:5). This brief respite ignites false hopes among the Judahite people and their leaders that the danger has passed. Jeremiah, however, declares that the Chaldeans will return and conquer the city (Jer 37:7-10). It is during this interlude that Jeremiah attempts to leave Jerusalem, leading to his arrest on false charges of defecting to the Chaldeans and his subsequent harsh imprisonment (Jer 37:11-16). Verse 17 depicts King Zedekiah's secret and desperate summoning of the imprisoned Jeremiah, indicative of the king's deep anxieties, lack of faith in the false prophets surrounding him, and his ultimate indecisiveness in leadership. Historically, Judah's repeated rebellions against Babylon, despite Jeremiah's warnings, and their reliance on the weak alliance with Egypt ultimately sealed their fate, fulfilling Jeremiah's dire prophecies.

Jeremiah 37 17 Word analysis

• Then King Zedekiah (וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ צִדְקִיָּהוּ - vayyishlach hammelech Tsidqiyahu): "King Zedekiah sent."
  • Zedekiah: Means "My righteousness is Yahweh." The irony is profound, as his reign was marked by unrighteousness and rejection of Yahweh's word, leading to disaster. He was Judah's last king, a puppet installed by Babylon, torn between allegiance to Babylon and his officials' pro-Egyptian factions.
  • Sent: An active step, indicating the king initiated the meeting.
• sent and took him out (וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ צִדְקִיָּהוּ וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ - vayyishlach hammelech Tsidqiyahu vayyiqqahuhu): The king dispatched messengers and personally took out Jeremiah from the house of Jonathan the scribe, where he was harshly imprisoned (Jer 37:15). This demonstrates a direct involvement and a degree of authority Zedekiah was willing to exercise to meet Jeremiah, perhaps against his officials' wishes.
• and the king asked him secretly in his house (וַיִּשְׁאָלֵהוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּבֵיתוֹ בַּסֵּתֶר - vayyish'alehu hammelech beveito basster):
  • Secretly (basster - בַסֵּתֶר): This adverb highlights Zedekiah's fear of his officials and pro-war factions, who openly opposed Jeremiah and his pro-Babylonian surrender message (Jer 38:4). It underscores his political weakness and lack of courage to publicly seek divine guidance contrary to popular opinion.
  • In his house: Suggests the privacy and authority of the royal palace, contrasting with Jeremiah's prior confinement.
• and said, ‘Is there any word from the LORD?’ (וַיֹּאמֶר הַיֵשׁ דָּבָר מֵאֵת יְהוָה - vayyo'mer hayesh davar me'et YHWH):
  • Word from the LORD (davar me'et YHWH - דָּבָר מֵאֵת יְהוָה): This is Zedekiah's crucial question. It reveals he still acknowledged Jeremiah as a true prophet, despite imprisoning him. He desired God's word, not the comforting lies of false prophets, yet he was reluctant to obey it. The Hebrew term davar encompasses not just a spoken word, but also an event, a deed, or a message with inherent power.
• And Jeremiah said, ‘There is.’ (וַיֹּאמֶר יִרְמְיָהוּ יֵשׁ - vayyo'mer Yirmeyahu yesh): Jeremiah's direct and unwavering affirmative answer. He holds nothing back, despite his own suffering and the potentially dangerous consequences of speaking truth to power. This response signifies the unalterable nature of God's decree.
• Then he said, ‘You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.’ (וַיֹּאמֶר תִּנָּתֵן בְּיַד מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל - vayyo'mer tinnaten beyad melech-Bavel):
  • You shall be delivered (tinnaten - תִּנָּתֵן): A passive verb ("you will be given"), implying Zedekiah is not merely surrendering but is actively handed over by divine decree. This emphasizes God's sovereign control over Judah's destiny, using Babylon as His instrument of judgment.
  • Into the hand of the king of Babylon: The specific, unwelcome prophecy that Zedekiah dreaded and tried to avoid. This outcome, previously declared by Jeremiah multiple times (e.g., Jer 21:7, 34:3), is now affirmed even during a moment of apparent reprieve.

Jeremiah 37 17 Bonus section

• Zedekiah's secret inquiry to Jeremiah contrasts sharply with earlier kings like Josiah (Jer 2:2) who publicly sought and responded to God's word, highlighting a moral and spiritual decline in the final kings of Judah.
• The phrase "word from the LORD" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה) signifies a divine pronouncement that is powerful, binding, and will inevitably come to pass. It is more than just information; it carries God's authority and will.
• Jeremiah's message of surrender to Babylon was deeply unpopular and seen as treasonous, yet it was the only path to survival for some, highlighting the difficulty of adhering to divine instruction when it goes against patriotic fervor or popular consensus.

Jeremiah 37 17 Commentary

Jeremiah 37:17 portrays a poignant intersection of divine truth, human fear, and a king's profound indecisiveness. Zedekiah, haunted by impending doom, acknowledged Jeremiah as God's authentic voice, bypassing the popular but false assurances of other prophets. His secret summons underscores his fear of man (his officials) more than his fear of God, ultimately crippling his ability to act righteously. Jeremiah's concise, direct "There is," followed by the reiteration of "You shall be delivered," exemplifies prophetic fidelity, prioritizing God's uncomfortable truth over personal safety or popular opinion. The verse highlights the stark reality of God's word, which remains steadfast regardless of the recipient's preference or circumstance, ultimately manifesting in irreversible judgment against a rebellious king and nation. It is a testament to the fact that while God always reveals His plans through His chosen servants, human agency remains crucial in determining the response – be it repentance and surrender or stubborn resistance leading to ruin.