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

King Zedekiah, in a state of desperation and fear, secretly summoned Jeremiah the prophet to a private, less public entrance within the Lord's house. The king urgently implored Jeremiah to reveal God's message fully and honestly, requesting that no part of the divine counsel be withheld from him. This clandestine meeting underscores Zedekiah's inner conflict and his wavering between divine guidance and the pressures of his officials amidst Jerusalem's siege.

Jeremiah 38 14 Context

Jeremiah 38:14 takes place during the final desperate stages of Jerusalem's siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, specifically after Jeremiah has been rescued from the miry cistern by Ebed-Melech. King Zedekiah, Judah's last king, is trapped between the siege outside and the conflicting advice and influence of his panic-stricken officials and the people within the city. Jeremiah had consistently prophesied that surrender to Babylon was God's will and the only way to save their lives and the city, a message vehemently opposed by the pro-Egyptian faction and military leaders. Zedekiah had already secretly consulted Jeremiah once before (Jer 37:17) and heard the same counsel. Despite knowing the truth, the king lacked the courage and resolve to defy his officials and submit to God's command through Jeremiah. This specific private meeting in a secluded part of the temple grounds reveals Zedekiah's deep anxiety, his desire for a word from the Lord, yet his underlying fear of his people and officials, which ultimately overshadowed his obedience.

Jeremiah 38 14 Word analysis

• Then Zedekiah the king sent:

  • Then: Waw consecutive, connecting to previous events (Jeremiah's rescue from the cistern). It emphasizes a sequential action by Zedekiah.
  • Zedekiah: Last king of Judah, a puppet king installed by Babylon, a figure often characterized by weakness and indecision. His name, "Righteousness of Yahweh," stands in ironic contrast to his actions.
  • the king sent: Vayyishlaḥ (וַיִּשְׁלַח), Hebrew for "and he sent." Indicates Zedekiah's direct initiative and urgency. He personally arranged for this meeting.

• and took Jeremiah the prophet:

  • took: Implies retrieval or bringing. It's a deliberate act, emphasizing Jeremiah's identity.
  • Jeremiah the prophet: Highlights Jeremiah's divinely appointed role and authority as God's messenger, not just a prisoner or a common man. Zedekiah recognizes this, even if he doesn't fully obey.

• to him into the third entrance that is in the house of the LORD:

  • to him: ʼelāyw, "to himself." The king personally brings Jeremiah.
  • the third entrance: Hashlishi (הַשָּׁלִשִׁי). This phrase is highly debated by scholars. It could refer to:
    1. A specific gate or entry point known by its ordinal number.
    2. A particularly private or less public royal entrance, possibly connecting the royal palace to the temple precincts, allowing secret access. This interpretation fits the context of secrecy. It's not the "main gate" or a public court. Some suggest "entrance to the guard" (another possible reading for a similar Hebrew term).
    3. Symbolically, a place where matters of great personal importance were discussed away from public scrutiny.
  • that is in the house of the LORD: B'vet Adonai (בְּבֵית יְהוָה). Locating this entrance within the temple complex emphasizes the spiritual nature of the impending conversation, though it's conducted in secret. The "house of the LORD" often also refers to the larger temple precincts, including associated buildings. This suggests Zedekiah sought divine counsel, even if out of fear.

• and the king said unto Jeremiah:

  • said: Simple verb, transitioning to direct speech.

• I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me:

  • I will ask thee a thing: ʼani shoʼel ʼotkha davar (אֲנִי שֹׁאֵל אֹתְךָ דָבָר), literally, "I am asking you a word/matter." Emphasizes the gravity of his inquiry.
  • hide nothing from me: ʼal t'khaḥed mimmenni (אַל תְּכַחֵד מִמֶּנִּי). A powerful, desperate plea for absolute candor and full disclosure. T'khaḥed (תְּכַחֵד) means "to hide," "to conceal," or "to withhold." It reveals Zedekiah's suspicion that Jeremiah might be pressured to hold back the truth or that he might have been previously given incomplete information. It also highlights the inherent expectation of honesty from a true prophet.

• Group of words: "the third entrance that is in the house of the LORD": This phrase highlights the element of secrecy and the sacral setting. Zedekiah's choice of location reveals his desire for privacy concerning a matter he knows pertains to God's will but fears the repercussions from his human court if discovered. It juxtaposes royal fear with divine space.

• Group of words: "I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me": This imperative expresses Zedekiah's internal struggle and desperate need for clear divine guidance. His insistence on Jeremiah holding "nothing" back indicates his awareness of the prophet's integrity but also his own vulnerability to fear-driven decision-making, which might lead him to previously filter uncomfortable truths. He desires the pure, unadulterated word of God.

Jeremiah 38 14 Bonus section

• The request "hide nothing from me" also served as a subtle test of Jeremiah's integrity and his ability to withstand the king's implied pressure to deliver a more palatable message. Jeremiah consistently stood firm on God's word, regardless of personal cost or kingly expectations.
• This is Zedekiah's final recorded secret consultation with Jeremiah. Despite his initial pledge to listen completely, the narrative shows his continuing inability to act decisively according to divine counsel, directly leading to his capture and the fall of Jerusalem as Jeremiah had foretold.
• The ambiguity of the "third entrance" underscores the mystery and hidden aspects of divine encounter, often occurring away from the public gaze, but also highlights Zedekiah's attempt to compartmentalize his religious duties from his political expediency.

Jeremiah 38 14 Commentary

Jeremiah 38:14 encapsulates Zedekiah's tragic dilemma: a leader recognizing the source of truth in a dire situation but ultimately unable to act on it due to his crippling fear of people. The private meeting in a secluded temple entrance vividly portrays his duplicity—publicly maintaining defiance against Babylon to please his officials, while secretly seeking God's actual will from the prophet he had allowed to be imprisoned. His plea for Jeremiah to "hide nothing" reveals his profound insecurity and perhaps an inkling that the truth he seeks is difficult to hear and even harder to obey. Yet, Zedekiah's fear of his own officials and the defectors proved stronger than his fear of the Lord, rendering this confidential counsel ultimately ineffectual for his actions, though fully clarifying his moral responsibility before God. The king desires truth without the costly commitment it demands.