Jeremiah 38:20 kjv
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
Jeremiah 38:20 nkjv
But Jeremiah said, "They shall not deliver you. Please, obey the voice of the LORD which I speak to you. So it shall be well with you, and your soul shall live.
Jeremiah 38:20 niv
"They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.
Jeremiah 38:20 esv
Jeremiah said, "You shall not be given to them. Obey now the voice of the LORD in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared.
Jeremiah 38:20 nlt
Jeremiah replied, "You won't be handed over to them if you choose to obey the LORD. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.
Jeremiah 38 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 38:2 | "...all the words that the LORD your God has sent me to you has been fulfilled..." | Conditional obedience |
| Jeremiah 7:23 | "But this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God..." | God's command and promise |
| Deuteronomy 28:1 | "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God..." | Blessing for obedience |
| Deuteronomy 28:15 | "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God..." | Curse for disobedience |
| 2 Kings 17:14 | "But they did not obey, but stiffened their neck like their fathers, who did not..." | Historical pattern of disobedience |
| 2 Chronicles 36:13 | "He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God..." | Zedekiah's past oath-breaking |
| Jeremiah 27:12 | "I spoke also to Zedekiah king of Judah accordingly, saying, ‘Put your neck under..." | Similar prophetic counsel to Zedekiah |
| Jeremiah 37:2 | "But Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the people made no distinction between my..." | Zedekiah's mixed actions |
| Jeremiah 38:5 | "So the king said, 'Indeed he is in your hand; for the king can do nothing against..." | King's personal weakness |
| Isaiah 42:21 | "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law and..." | God's delight in obedience |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." | Trusting God's guidance |
| Romans 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority..." | Submission to governing powers |
| John 14:15 | "If you love me, keep my commandments." | Love and obedience are linked |
| Acts 5:29 | "But Peter and the apostles answered and said: 'We ought to obey God rather than..." | Obedience to God over man |
| Jeremiah 21:8 | "And to this people you shall say, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I set before you..." | The way of life and death |
| Jeremiah 34:4 | "‘Yet hear the word of the LORD, O Zedekiah king of Judah! Thus says the LORD concer..." | Consequences for breaking oaths |
| Jeremiah 29:11 | "For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and..." | God's good plans for His people |
| Jeremiah 39:10 | "But the Chaldeans left some of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the lan..." | God's mercy shown even in judgment |
| Isaiah 55:3 | "...incline your ear and come to me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an..." | Hearing and living |
| Lamentations 4:20 | "The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of..." | Zedekiah's capture described |
Jeremiah 38 verses
Jeremiah 38 20 Meaning
Jeremiah 38:20 instructs Zedekiah to obey the voice of the LORD by submitting to the Chaldeans, assuring him that his life and the city will be spared if he does. This plea emphasizes the catastrophic consequences of continued rebellion against God's directive, as conveyed through the prophet Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 38 20 Context
This verse is found within Jeremiah chapter 38, a pivotal moment where the prophet Jeremiah is imprisoned due to opposition from the princes and people of Jerusalem. King Zedekiah, though showing some personal consideration for Jeremiah, ultimately proves weak and influenced by his officials. The Babylonian siege of Jerusalem is ongoing. The kingdom of Judah is in its final throes, facing destruction due to persistent disobedience and idolatry, despite repeated prophetic warnings. Jeremiah is delivering God's message of surrender to the Chaldeans as the only means to avoid complete annihilation and preserve some measure of life, though the ultimate judgment on Jerusalem remains.
Jeremiah 38 20 Word Analysis
- Speak (Hebrew: dabar) - Means to speak, say, tell, communicate, command. It denotes a divine pronouncement.
- obey (Hebrew: shama') - To hear, listen, heed, obey. It signifies not just auditory perception but also active compliance.
- voice (Hebrew: qol) - Sound, voice, noise. Here it refers to the imperative command from God.
- LORD (Hebrew: YHWH) - The personal covenantal name of God, emphasizing His relationship and authority over His people.
- surely (Hebrew: ken) - Truly, indeed, certainly. A strong affirmation of the statement's truth.
- be saved (Hebrew: yimmalet) - To escape, be delivered, be saved. Refers to preserving one's life.
- life (Hebrew: nephesh) - Soul, life, living being, person. Refers to the existence and well-being of Zedekiah.
- city (Hebrew: qiryah) - City, town. Refers to Jerusalem.
- dwell (Hebrew: lishkon) - To settle, remain, dwell. Indicates a future habitation.
Word Groups:
- "obey the voice of the LORD your God": This phrase encapsulates the core of Jeremiah's message, linking divine authority (LORD your God) with a direct command (voice) that requires active compliance (obey). This mirrors countless Old Testament calls to obedience for the covenant people.
- "so shall your life be preserved": This presents a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Obedience leads to preservation, offering Zedekiah a lifeline amidst impending doom.
- "so shall this city dwell securely": This extends the promise of preservation from the king to the entire city, indicating a spared population and continued existence in some form, albeit under Babylonian dominion.
Jeremiah 38 20 Bonus Section
This verse highlights the king's role as a mediator of God's will to the people. Zedekiah's personal survival and the city's preservation were directly tied to his obedience to God's prophetic word, even when that word was politically unpopular and personally risky. Jeremiah’s counsel is consistent with earlier warnings given by God to the nation. The stark choice presented reflects the broader biblical narrative of choices between life and death, blessing and curse, determined by obedience or disobedience to God's commands. Zedekiah's ultimate fate, however, illustrates the tragic reality of leadership failing to heed divine counsel in times of crisis, leading to national calamity.
Jeremiah 38 20 Commentary
Jeremiah 38:20 is a desperate plea from God, mediated through Jeremiah, to Zedekiah. It's not a promise of full restoration or return to former glory, but a stark choice between immediate submission and utter destruction. The prophecy hinges on Zedekiah heeding God's word (which is expressed through Jeremiah), a common theme of conditional covenant promises in the Old Testament. Zedekiah's inclination is to appease his fearful officials and avoid personal danger, but Jeremiah directs him to the ultimate authority. The assurance offered – "your life shall be preserved, and your city shall dwell securely" – signifies escaping the sword and fiery destruction that befell others who resisted. It implies survival, even if under subjugation. Zedekiah's failure to heed this counsel, as the subsequent verses show, results in the very destruction Jeremiah sought to avert for him and Jerusalem. The principle of obedience leading to preservation is a constant throughout Scripture, though the form of that preservation can be surprising.