Jeremiah 38 14

Jeremiah 38:14 kjv

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

Jeremiah 38:14 nkjv

Then Zedekiah the king sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance of the house of the LORD. And the king said to Jeremiah, "I will ask you something. Hide nothing from me."

Jeremiah 38:14 niv

Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the LORD. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me."

Jeremiah 38:14 esv

King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the LORD. The king said to Jeremiah, "I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me."

Jeremiah 38:14 nlt

One day King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and had him brought to the third entrance of the LORD's Temple. "I want to ask you something," the king said. "And don't try to hide the truth."

Jeremiah 38 verses

Jeremiah 38 14 Meaning

Jeremiah 38:14 signifies an act of personal faith and conviction in the midst of political turmoil and opposition. It highlights Jeremiah's obedience to God's command to go and speak to King Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 38 14 Context

This verse occurs during a desperate time for Jerusalem. The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar, has besieged the city. King Zedekiah, despite Jeremiah's persistent warnings about God's judgment and the futility of resistance, is wavering and fearful of his own people, particularly the princes who distrust Jeremiah. The previous chapter details Jeremiah's own imprisonment and mistreatment due to the accusations of discouraging the people. In this scene, Jeremiah is in the cistern. Zedekiah, prompted by a desire for divine guidance (perhaps mixed with fear and doubt), secretly calls for Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD. This action takes place within the historical backdrop of Judah's final rebellion against Babylon, which would ultimately lead to Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile.

Jeremiah 38 14 Word Analysis

• So (Hebrew: וַיַּעַשׂ, wayya‘as) - Implies a consequence or a following action based on what preceded.
• Jeremiah (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirməyāhû) - The prophet's name, meaning "Yahweh exalts" or "Yahweh throws."
• went forth (Hebrew: צָא, ṣāʾ) - A straightforward movement, coming out.
• out (Hebrew: מִן, min) - Denotes separation from a place.
• of the court (Hebrew: מִן־חָצַר, min-ḥāṣar) - Refers to an enclosed space, a courtyard, specifically within the king's palace complex.
• of the prison (Hebrew: הַמַּטָּרָה, hammāṭṭārāh) - The place of confinement or guard-house.
• and (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - A conjunction linking actions.
• the king (Hebrew: הַמֶּלֶךְ, hammeleḵ) - Refers to King Zedekiah.
• met (Hebrew: קָרָא, qārāʾ) - To call out to, to encounter, or to meet.
• him (Hebrew: אֹתוֹ, ʾōṯō) - Refers to Jeremiah.
• in (Hebrew: בְּ, bə) - Preposition indicating location.
• the (Hebrew: הַ, ha-) - Definite article.
• open court (Hebrew: שַׁעַר הָעֶלְיוֹן, ša‘ar hā‘elyōn) - Likely refers to a main or upper gate, an area accessible to the public or high officials.
• of the house (Hebrew: הַבַּיִת, habbayiṯ) - The Temple or the king's house.
• of the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH) - Refers to the God of Israel.
• and (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - Conjunction.
• all (Hebrew: כָּל, kāl) - Encompassing entirety.
• the (Hebrew: הַ, ha-) - Definite article.
• people (Hebrew: הָעָם, hā‘ām) - The populace of Jerusalem.
• heard (Hebrew: שָׁמַע, šāma‘) - To hear, listen, or understand.
• him (Hebrew: אֹתוֹ, ʾōṯō) - Jeremiah.
• saying (Hebrew: לֵאמֹר, lēʾmōr) - Introducing direct speech.
• all (Hebrew: אֶת־כָּל, ʾeṯ-kāl) - All the words.
• the (Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי, divrê) - The words.
• words (Hebrew: הַלָּלוּ, hallālu) - These words, specifically those from the LORD.
• of the LORD (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH) - God's pronouncements.

Group of words analysis: "went forth out of the court of the prison" - This phrase captures Jeremiah's transition from confinement to an audience with the king, under Zedekiah's directive. "met him in the open court of the house of the LORD" - This signifies a public or at least semi-public meeting, indicating the importance of the king's inquiry and Jeremiah's public prophetic role. "heard him saying all the words of the LORD" - This highlights the content of the interaction: Jeremiah faithfully delivering God's message.

Jeremiah 38 14 Bonus Section

The encounter between Jeremiah and Zedekiah here is a pivotal moment in the final days of Jerusalem. Zedekiah’s secret summons of Jeremiah suggests a residual desire for divine counsel, even as he’s influenced by others who wish Jeremiah silenced. The contrast between Jeremiah’s loyalty to God’s word and Zedekiah’s fear-driven indecision is stark. Zedekiah, called to be a shepherd, is instead swayed by the counsel of fearful and potentially treacherous advisors, ultimately leading to his and Jerusalem's doom. This interaction foreshadows the final judgment and the fulfillment of God's word through Jeremiah, as described in the subsequent chapters. Jeremiah's role is to be the conduit of divine truth, regardless of whether it is welcomed or brings comfort.

Jeremiah 38 14 Commentary

This verse demonstrates Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to his prophetic calling, even when released from a dungeon by a wavering king. Despite his personal hardship and the precariousness of his situation, Jeremiah readily obeys the call to speak God's word. King Zedekiah’s actions reveal his internal conflict. He fears the Babylonians, he fears his own people, and he evidently still seeks an answer from God, though his actions show a lack of true faith. The "open court of the house of the LORD" likely indicates a space within the royal complex, possibly a place of royal deliberation, underscoring the seriousness of Zedekiah's inquiry. The verse concludes by emphasizing that the people overhear the conversation, suggesting the message shared had wider implications and perhaps further fueled existing tensions. This incident underscores the theme of prophecy as a direct word from God to His people, delivered through His chosen messenger, regardless of human opposition or circumstances.