Jeremiah 38:24 kjv
Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
Jeremiah 38:24 nkjv
Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Let no one know of these words, and you shall not die.
Jeremiah 38:24 niv
Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you may die.
Jeremiah 38:24 esv
Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Let no one know of these words, and you shall not die.
Jeremiah 38:24 nlt
Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Don't tell anyone you told me this, or you will die!
Jeremiah 38 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 38:24-28 | And when all the officials and the great man came to Jeremiah from the king's house, they said to him, "Please let this matter be turned back, and do not let it come to our ears." Then they said to Jeremiah, "Whatever this man says to you, tell us, and we will not betray you; nor will we hand you over to those who want to kill you."... | Context of Zedekiah's concern about confession to authorities. |
| Jer 39:3 | And all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sar-sekim the chief officer, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. | External confirmation of Babylonian presence. |
| 2 Kings 25:4 | When the city wall was broken through, all the soldiers fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, and the Chaldeans were all around the city. And he went by the way of the Arabah. | Historical account of Jerusalem's fall. |
| Ezek 12:12-13 | The prince who is among them shall be carried on the shoulder in the dark and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry out. He shall cover his face, so that he does not see the land with his eyes. I will also spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, but he shall not see it, though he shall die there. | Prophecy regarding Zedekiah's fate. |
| Jer 21:1-2 | The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah and Zephaniah the son of Masian, the priest, saying, "Inquire of the LORD for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all his wonderful works, that they may depart from us." | Zedekiah's prior inquiry to Jeremiah. |
| Prov 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. | Principle of trusting God's counsel. |
| Jer 32:28 | Therefore thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will capture it. | Reinforces the inevitability of judgment. |
| Deut 18:21-22 | And if you say in your heart, “How shall we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?”— when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or prove true, that is the word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall do with him. | Authenticity of prophecy. |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." | Walking in truth and light. |
| 1 Peter 4:11 | Whoever speaks, as one speaks the very words of God! Whoever serves, as one serving by the strength that God supplies! in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. | Speaking God's words faithfully. |
| Acts 5:29 | But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men." | Prioritizing God's commands. |
| Jer 38:17-18 | And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If you will surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then your life shall be preserved, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your household shall live. But if you do not surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and you shall be burned. with fire. ... | Jeremiah's previous counsel to Zedekiah. |
| Psalm 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | The guidance of God's word. |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | The Spirit as a guide and reminder. |
| Rom 12:9 | Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. | Importance of sincerity and truth. |
| Ps 40:11 | Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD! Let your steadfast love and your faithfulness always preserve me. | God's faithfulness to those who are truthful. |
| Phil 2:14 | Do all things without grumbling or disputing, | The spirit of obedience and trust. |
| Jer 40:7-10 | When all the captains of the forces, and their men and their leaders and their commanders, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land and had committed to him men, women, and children, and the poorest of the land, not taking any of them from the Chaldeans... | Aftermath of Zedekiah's rebellion. |
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | The importance of respecting God's word. |
Jeremiah 38 verses
Jeremiah 38 24 Meaning
This verse describes the prophet Jeremiah responding to King Zedekiah's request for secrecy about the judgment God would pronounce. Jeremiah assures the king that he will not betray him by revealing the conversation, and implies that if Zedekiah follows God's counsel, the city will be spared and his household preserved. It emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and the potential consequences of obedience or disobedience to God's word, even in the face of political pressure.
Jeremiah 38 24 Context
This verse is situated within the narrative of Jeremiah's ministry during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, facing pressure from his officials and the overwhelming might of Babylon, seeks private counsel from Jeremiah regarding the impending doom of the city. Zedekiah has just been informed by Jeremiah that if he surrenders, his life and household will be spared, and the city will not be burned. The officials of the king then confront Jeremiah, wanting to know what was said, evidently fearing the political ramifications of Jeremiah's prophecy. Jeremiah reassures them of his discretion. This exchange highlights the volatile political climate and Zedekiah's wavering commitment to God's prophet amidst national crisis. The broader context is the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience and idolatry.
Jeremiah 38 24 Word Analysis
- And when: (וְהָיָה כִּי - vehayah ki) - Signifies a sequential or consequential event, connecting this interaction to the preceding ones. It indicates the immediate aftermath of the prophecy.
- all the officials: (כָּל־הַסְּרִיסִים - kol-haserisim) - Refers to the chamberlains or eunuchs, a significant part of the royal court. In broader context, this can include high-ranking officers and advisors who held authority in the king's administration.
- and the great man: (וְהָרַב - veharaav) - Likely refers to a high-ranking noble, a chief counselor, or a prominent figure in the court, emphasizing the significant authority these individuals possessed.
- came to Jeremiah: (בָּאוּ אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ - bau el-Yirmeyahu) - A direct physical movement indicating their intent to question the prophet.
- from the king's house: (מִבֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ - mibbeith hammelekh) - Specifies their origin, underscoring their direct connection to Zedekiah and the royal authority.
- they said to him: (וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלָיו - vayomru eilav) - A direct speech act, conveying their interrogative and perhaps fearful stance.
- Please: (אָנָּא - anna) - An expression of earnest entreaty, showing their desperation and perhaps fear.
- let this matter be turned back: (שׁוּב־נָא דָּבָר הַזֶּה - shuv-na davar hazzeh) - A plea for secrecy or for the matter to be kept confidential, perhaps to avoid panic or personal reprisal.
- and do not let it come to our ears: (וְאַל־יִבָּא אֶל־אָזְנֵינוּ - veal-yibba el-ozneinu) - An idiom meaning "do not let us hear about it," reinforcing their desire for ignorance of potentially incriminating or dangerous information.
- Then Jeremiah said to them: (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֵיהֶם יִרְמְיָה - vayomer eileihem Yirmeyahu) - Jeremiah's response to their demand for discretion.
- Whatever this man says to you: (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־יֹאמַר אֵלֶיךָ הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה - kol asher-yomar eileikha haish hazzeh) - Refers to King Zedekiah, presented with a degree of detachment by Jeremiah, possibly to further distance himself from royal machinations or to highlight the king's current isolation.
- tell us: (הַגֵּד־לָנוּ - haged-lanu) - A direct command to reveal the content of the king's conversation.
- and we will not betray you: (וְלֹא נָבְגֶּד בָּךְ - velo navgedh bakh) - A promise of loyalty and non-betrayal from the officials to Jeremiah.
- nor will we hand you over to those who want to kill you: (וְלֹא נִתֶּנְךָ אֶל־יַד הָאֲנָשִׁים הַמְּבַקְּשִׁים אֶת־נַפְשֶׁךָ - velo nitenkha el-yad ha'anashim hamevakashim et-nafshekhah) - A strong assurance of protection, promising not to deliver Jeremiah to his enemies who seek his life. This acknowledges the very real danger Jeremiah faced from those who opposed his prophecies.
Jeremiah 38 24 Bonus Section
This verse exemplifies the delicate balancing act Jeremiah often performed: faithfully delivering God's word while navigating the political landscape and ensuring his own survival to continue his mission. The interaction highlights how God's messages could create deep divisions and fear within the ruling elite, who were more concerned with worldly power and security than with divine obedience. The officials' desire to "not let it come to our ears" is a powerful expression of avoiding responsibility and accountability before God's word.
Jeremiah 38 24 Commentary
Jeremiah's assurance to Zedekiah and his subsequent response to the king's officials demonstrate the prophet's unwavering commitment to God's message and his discretion in handling sensitive information. The officials, driven by fear of repercussions from the Babylonian authorities or perhaps internal politics, seek to distance themselves from the dire prophecy Zedekiah received. Jeremiah's calm reply, pledging secrecy, shows his integrity. He simultaneously reminds them of the king's private counsel and assures them of his safety with the officials' promise of protection. This interaction underscores the isolation of Zedekiah, the perilous situation of Jerusalem, and the integrity of Jeremiah amidst a corrupt and fearful court. The exchange implicitly carries the weight of Zedekiah's need to heed God's word to secure any chance of survival, even as those around him prioritize political expediency.