Jeremiah 37 20

Jeremiah 37:20 kjv

Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

Jeremiah 37:20 nkjv

Therefore please hear now, O my lord the king. Please, let my petition be accepted before you, and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there."

Jeremiah 37:20 niv

But now, my lord the king, please listen. Let me bring my petition before you: Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, or I will die there."

Jeremiah 37:20 esv

Now hear, please, O my lord the king: let my humble plea come before you and do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, lest I die there."

Jeremiah 37:20 nlt

Listen, my lord the king, I beg you. Don't send me back to the dungeon in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for I will die there."

Jeremiah 37 verses

Jeremiah 37 20 Meaning

Jeremiah 37:20 describes the prophet Jeremiah's plea to Zedekiah, the king of Judah, asking not to be returned to the house of Jonathan, the scribe, or the prison cells within, as he feared he would die there. This plea reflects Jeremiah's deep suffering and his reliance on Zedekiah's intervention for his survival.

Jeremiah 37 20 Context

This verse appears in Jeremiah chapter 37, which details the period leading up to and during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Jeremiah was arrested and imprisoned for his prophecies, which were seen as disloyal by the Judahite officials. King Zedekiah had initially consulted Jeremiah secretly but was swayed by his advisors. In chapter 37, Jeremiah is taken from the prison and brought before Zedekiah, where he delivers another message of doom from the Lord. Zedekiah then commands that Jeremiah be kept in the "court of the guard" instead of being returned to the "house of Jonathan the scribe," which was a prison where he had suffered previous abuse. The previous day's experiences had been harsh for Jeremiah, hence his fear of being sent back to a place associated with further harm.

Jeremiah 37 20 Word Analysis

• “And”: A conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding actions and commands.

• “Jeremiah”: The name of the prophet, whose ministry was marked by suffering and opposition. (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ Yirmeyahu, "Yahweh has lifted up" or "Yahweh has cast down")

• “Said”: Indicates spoken communication.

• “to”: Preposition indicating the recipient of the speech.

• “Zedekiah”: The King of Judah at the time. (Hebrew: צִדְקִיָּהוּ Tzidkiyahu, "My righteousness is Yahweh")

• “the”: Definite article.

• “king”: The royal ruler of Judah.

• “Pray”: A plea or request, conveying earnestness. (Hebrew: הִתְחַנַּנְתִּי hith'ḥannanti, first person perfect of חנן ḥanan, "to be gracious," "to show favor," often used in desperate appeal.)

• “let”: Expressing permission or a request for it.

• “me”: The speaker, Jeremiah.

• “not”: Negation.

• “be”: Verb indicating state or condition.

• “returned”: Brought back. (Hebrew: הָשֵׁב hoshēḇ, Hiphil infinitive of שוב shuv, "to return.")

• “to”: Preposition indicating direction or destination.

• “the”: Definite article.

• “house”: A dwelling place or building.

• “of”: Preposition showing possession or relationship.

• “Jonathan”: The scribe mentioned. (Hebrew: יוֹנָתָן Yônāthān, "Yahweh has given.")

• “the”: Definite article.

• “scribe”: An official who writes or copies documents.

• “or”: Conjunction presenting an alternative.

• “else”: Otherwise, indicating a different location or condition.

• “I”: The speaker, Jeremiah.

• “shall”: Indicates future action.

• “die”: Cease to live. (Hebrew: מ֖וּת mōwth, basic verb for "to die.")

• “there”: In that place.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "Pray let me not be returned to the house of Jonathan the scribe": This phrase is a direct and desperate appeal for safety from a specific, known place of past suffering and likely further harm. It highlights Jeremiah's vulnerability and his awareness of the oppressive structures within the king's administration.
  • "or else I shall die there": This clause emphasizes the grave danger Jeremiah perceived in returning to that specific location. It underscores the severity of his previous treatment and his fear of succumbing to maltreatment or neglect.

Jeremiah 37 20 Bonus Section

Jeremiah's personal suffering and constant opposition are a central theme throughout his prophetic book. This verse, while focusing on a specific fear, aligns with the many instances where Jeremiah was mistreated, imprisoned, or threatened for delivering God's word. His petitions to Zedekiah underscore the human aspect of his divine calling, where faithfulness did not exempt him from immense personal hardship and fear. This echoes the broader biblical narrative of prophets facing persecution, as seen with Elijah, Micaiah, and later, Jesus and his apostles.

Jeremiah 37 20 Commentary

Jeremiah's request reveals the precariousness of his situation as a prophet of doom. Despite Zedekiah's secret consultation, Jeremiah remained subject to the whims and dangers posed by other officials and institutions, like the scribe's house which served as a prison. His plea is not just for personal comfort but for life itself, acknowledging the potential lethality of his confinement in that particular place. It showcases Zedekiah's limited but potentially crucial role in the prophet's physical preservation at this moment.