Jeremiah 37:3 kjv
And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
Jeremiah 37:3 nkjv
And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "Pray now to the LORD our God for us."
Jeremiah 37:3 niv
King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: "Please pray to the LORD our God for us."
Jeremiah 37:3 esv
King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "Please pray for us to the LORD our God."
Jeremiah 37:3 nlt
Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, son of Maaseiah, to ask Jeremiah, "Please pray to the LORD our God for us."
Jeremiah 37 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 37:3 | “…And when Zedekiah king of Judah had sent for him, Gemariah the son of Shaphan... | Jeremiah 37:3 (itself) |
| Jeremiah 1:8 | "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD. | God's assurance to Jeremiah |
| Jeremiah 1:17-19 | "Now, gird up your loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed at their faces, lest I dismay you before them. For behold, I have made you this day an fortified city and an iron pillar, and bronze walls against all the land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. They will fight against you; but they will not prevail against you, for I am with you,' declares the LORD." | God's empowerment and protection |
| Psalm 145:19 | He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. | God hears and saves the faithful |
| Psalm 34:17 | When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. | God's deliverance of the righteous |
| Psalm 138:7 | Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand saves me. | God's preservation amidst trouble |
| Isaiah 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. | God's presence and strength |
| Isaiah 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame consume you. | God's protection through trials |
| Isaiah 54:17 | No weapon that is formed against you shall succeed, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD. | Divine protection from enemies |
| Matthew 10:19-20 | When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. | Holy Spirit's guidance and speech |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Holy Spirit empowering speech |
| 2 Timothy 4:17 | Yet the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the nations might hear. I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. | God's strength and deliverance |
| 1 Peter 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. | God's attention to the righteous |
| John 10:28-29 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. | Security in God's hand |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. | God's good plans for His people |
| Romans 8:28 | We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's sovereign working for good |
| Jeremiah 15:20 | I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they will not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD. | God's promise of fortified protection |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Trust in God for guidance |
| Acts 12:11 | When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." | Angelic deliverance |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. | God's provision of escape |
Jeremiah 37 verses
Jeremiah 37 3 Meaning
The verse signifies a direct intervention by the Lord in response to the plea of Jeremiah, an act of divine protection and deliverance for His prophet. It emphasizes God's watchful care and His promise to sustain those who serve Him, even amidst great danger.
Jeremiah 37 3 Context
Jeremiah 37 is set during the final days of Jerusalem, shortly before its complete destruction by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, though initially resistant to God's word through Jeremiah, desperately seeks the prophet's counsel when faced with military pressure. The verse describes an event where Jeremiah is summoned from the house of imprisonment to the king. This request arises in the context of the Egyptian army's approach, which momentarily suspends the Babylonian siege. Despite the ongoing siege and the general hostility towards Jeremiah, the king feels compelled to inquire of the Lord through him.
Jeremiah 37 3 Word Analysis
- “When”: A temporal conjunction indicating the circumstance under which the event occurs.
- “Zedekiah”: (Tzidekiah - צִדְקִיָּה) Meaning "Yahweh is my righteousness." The last king of Judah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar, who ultimately rebelled and faced a tragic end.
- “king”: (Melech - מֶלֶךְ) Sovereign ruler.
- “of Judah”: Referring to the southern kingdom of Israel, which continued after the northern kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria.
- “had sent for him”: (Va-yishlach et Zeh - וַיִּשְׁלַח אֶת־זֶה) Signifies a deliberate act of summoning.
- “and”: Conjunction connecting Zedekiah's action with the next phrase.
- “Ahikam”: (Aḥiqam - אֲחִיקָם) Meaning "My brother has arisen" or "my kinsman has risen." A supportive figure who previously saved Jeremiah from death (Jeremiah 26:24).
- “the son”: (Ben - בֶּן) Offspring.
- “of Shaphan”: (Shafān - שָׁפָן) Meaning "coney" or "rock badger." A scribe and official in King Josiah's court. Shaphan was a key figure in the discovery of the Book of the Law.
- “said”: (Vayo’mer - וַיֹּאמֶר) Spoke or stated.
- “I pray you”: (Safa Nadom Nafal) A plea, asking a favor or to take a specific action. (Literal translation: "Lifted up and fallen, my breath") This could imply urgency or earnestness in the request.
- “Go”: (Lech - לֵךְ) Imperative verb, command to go.
- “and”: Connective.
- “entreat”: (ta'ter – תַּעְתֵּר) This is a significant verb from the root עתר ('atar), which means to entreat, beseech, or pray earnestly. It is often used in prayer for divine intervention. The Niph'al form used here implies entreating for someone or on behalf of someone.
- “the LORD”: (Yahweh – יְהוָה) The covenantal name of God.
- “our God”: (Eloheinu – אֱלֹהֵינוּ) Possessive pronoun emphasizing God's relationship with Israel.
- “for us”: Indicating a communal request, for the benefit of the people.
- “still”: (Od – עוֹד) Indicates continuing action or state; here, despite the current dire circumstances, the plea is still made.
- “in this”: (Bakol Zeh – בַּכֹּל זֶה) Referring to the present dire situation and crisis.
Group of words analysis:
- "Zedekiah king of Judah had sent for him": This highlights Zedekiah's authority and his desperation for divine counsel in a critical hour. Despite having previously disregarded Jeremiah's prophecies, the severity of the situation drives him to seek the prophet.
- "Go and entreat the LORD our God for us": This phrase captures the essence of their appeal. "Entreat" (ta'ter) carries a strong sense of fervent prayer. The inclusion of "our God" reflects a potential, though likely fleeting, recognition of God's sovereignty and their dependence on Him, even though their actions have consistently contradicted this. The plea "for us" shows a collective desperation.
Jeremiah 37 3 Bonus Section
The inclusion of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, is significant. Ahikam was known for his righteousness and his role in protecting Jeremiah from the anger of the priests and prophets (Jeremiah 26:24). His presence in the delegation sent by Zedekiah suggests that there were still individuals with influence who remembered and valued the prophetic voice, and perhaps hoped for a different outcome by sending someone known for his integrity to fetch the prophet. This event demonstrates God’s layered protection – not only through His direct power but also through faithful human intercessors who stand in the gap.
Jeremiah 37 3 Commentary
King Zedekiah, despite his flawed leadership and ultimate rebellion against God's will and the Babylonian yoke, makes a final, albeit desperate, attempt to seek divine guidance through Jeremiah. The king’s action, sending for Jeremiah, a prophet imprisoned for speaking God’s truth, illustrates the profound dilemma of the beleaguered nation. His request for Jeremiah to "entreat the LORD our God for us" reveals a mixture of fear, acknowledgment of divine power, and perhaps a lingering hope that God might yet intervene. This act of summoning the prophet, even from confinement, shows God’s sovereignty, as He orchestrates events to protect and utilize His messenger. It underscores the universal human tendency, even in times of defiance, to turn to God in moments of extreme crisis, though such requests are often unfulfilled when the heart remains unrepentant. The divine deliverance implied by the broader narrative of Jeremiah’s life, even when subjected to hardship, reaffirms God’s promise to sustain His prophets.