Jeremiah 38 1

Jeremiah 38:1 kjv

Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,

Jeremiah 38:1 nkjv

Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken to all the people, saying,

Jeremiah 38:1 niv

Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said,

Jeremiah 38:1 esv

Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah was saying to all the people:

Jeremiah 38:1 nlt

Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people. He had been saying,

Jeremiah 38 verses

Jeremiah 38 1 Meaning

This verse marks the beginning of a significant narrative concerning the prophet Jeremiah and his persecution during the siege of Jerusalem. It details the individuals who initiated the accusation against him and the reason for their actions: the content of his prophecies, which they perceived as detrimental to the city's defenses and the morale of its people.

Jeremiah 38 1 Context

The historical context of Jeremiah 38:1 is the final days of Jerusalem before its destruction by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. The city is under siege, and the population is facing famine and extreme hardship. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," has been delivering messages from God throughout this period, consistently warning the people of impending doom if they do not repent and surrender. His message, particularly concerning surrendering to the Chaldeans for survival, directly contradicts the prevailing sentiment of defiance and reliance on inadequate political alliances or false hopes. This chapter follows the previous narrative of Jeremiah's imprisonment in a cistern (Jeremiah 38).

Jeremiah 38 1 Word analysis

• Shephatiah (שְׁפַטְיָה):
  • Word meaning: "Jehovah has judged."
  • Significance: The name itself suggests an awareness or association with divine judgment, yet these individuals are on the side opposing God's messenger.
• son (בֶּן - ben):
  • Meaning: Son; descendant.
  • Significance: Indicates lineage and association with prominent families or roles.
• Mattan (מַתָּן):
  • Meaning: "Gift."
  • Significance: Neutral meaning, primarily identifies the father.
• Gedaliah (גְּדַלְיָה):
  • Meaning: "Greatness of Jehovah."
  • Significance: Like Shephatiah, the name points to God, creating an ironic contrast with his actions. This Gedaliah is distinct from Gedaliah, son of Ahikam, who was later appointed governor of Judea (Jeremiah 39:14).
• Pashhur (פַּשְׁחוּר):
  • Meaning: Uncertain, possibly "release" or associated with a joyous occasion, or perhaps a gentilic name indicating origin from an Egyptian region. This name appears earlier associated with a priest who struck Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-2), raising the possibility of familial involvement or the revival of old hostilities.
• Jucal (יוּכַל):
  • Meaning: "Yahweh will strengthen."
  • Significance: Again, a name associated with God, highlighting the spiritual irony of their actions.
• Shelemiah (שְׁלֶמְיָה):
  • Meaning: "My peace is of Jehovah."
  • Significance: The name contrasts sharply with the discord and hostility they displayed toward Jeremiah.
• Pashur (פָּשׁוּר):
  • Meaning: Same as the other Pashur, uncertain but implies opposition.
  • Significance: Repetition of the name possibly suggests a continuing lineage of opposition to prophets or perhaps a notable family actively working against God's word.
• Malchijah (מַלְכִּיָּה):
  • Meaning: "My king is Jehovah."
  • Significance: Yet another name invoking divine sovereignty, ironically used by men who oppose God's sovereign messenger.
• heard (שָׁמְעוּ - sham'u):
  • Meaning: To hear, listen, obey.
  • Significance: Here it means simply to hear, not necessarily to heed or obey, a crucial distinction as they heard but acted against the message.
• the words (אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים - et ha-devarim):
  • Meaning: The things spoken; the message.
  • Significance: Refers to the specific prophecies Jeremiah delivered to all the people.
• that (אֲשֶׁר - asher):
  • Meaning: Which, that.
  • Significance: Connects the hearing of the words to the individuals mentioned.
• Jeremiah (יִרְמְיָהוּ - Yirməyāhû):
  • Meaning: "Yahweh casts" or "Yahweh exalts."
  • Significance: The prophet himself, the object of their condemnation.
• had spoken (דִּבֶּר - dibber):
  • Meaning: To speak; utter.
  • Significance: Active past tense, indicating a completed utterance of God's message.
• unto (אֶל־ - el):
  • Meaning: To; toward.
  • Significance: Directs the action of speaking towards the people.
• all (כָּל־ - kol):
  • Meaning: All; every.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the widespread nature of Jeremiah's pronouncements.
• the people (הָעָם - ha'am):
  • Meaning: The people; the populace.
  • Significance: The recipients of God's message through Jeremiah, who were being directly addressed by his prophecies.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor):
  • Meaning: To say; namely.
  • Significance: Introduces the content of Jeremiah's speech.

Words Group Analysis:The verse lists four men, all bearing names associated with Jehovah or divine sovereignty. They are identified as influential figures within the beleaguered city: two with the name Pashur, and sons of notable fathers, Mattan, Pashhur, Shelemiah, and Malchijah. Their hearing of Jeremiah's words leads to their immediate and severe negative reaction. The structure highlights their official capacity ("the princes") when they confront the king in the subsequent verse (Jeremiah 38:4).

Jeremiah 38 1 Bonus section

The opposition faced by Jeremiah in this chapter mirrors the challenges encountered by prophets throughout biblical history. Men like Amos (Amos 7:10-17) and Micaiah (1 Kings 22:26-28) faced similar accusations and actions. The context of siege and societal breakdown intensifies the pressure on leadership and individuals, making them more prone to eliminate perceived threats to morale and order. The inclusion of "Pashur," a name previously associated with the oppression of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:1-6), suggests a continuation of, or familial involvement in, the persecution, emphasizing that the resistance to God's word was deeply entrenched. The Babylonian siege context further highlights the desperate situation; the people were willing to listen to anyone offering a glimmer of hope, but their leaders were blinded by pride and self-interest, leading them to silence the very voice that offered true survival.

Jeremiah 38 1 Commentary

This verse introduces the protagonists of Jeremiah's imminent suffering: powerful individuals who interpreted his divinely inspired warnings not as a message of divine justice and a path to survival through surrender, but as sedition aimed at demoralizing the city. The names of these accusers are significant; almost all of them contain elements referencing Yahweh (Jehovah), which serves as a stark irony. These men, who bear names implying allegiance to God's sovereignty, actively work against God's appointed prophet, revealing the deep-seated spiritual corruption and resistance within Jerusalem's leadership. Their motivation, detailed in verse 4, is the preservation of the city's fighting spirit and their own authority, rather than heeding God's directive. This incident underscores the perennial conflict between God's truth, often delivered through uncomfortable prophecies, and the established powers that resist change or fear the implications of divine judgment. Jeremiah's persecution is a direct result of his obedience to God's command to speak forth the truth, even when it is unpopular and perceived as harmful.