Jeremiah 38 25

Jeremiah 38:25 kjv

But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:

Jeremiah 38:25 nkjv

But if the princes hear that I have talked with you, and they come to you and say to you, 'Declare to us now what you have said to the king, and also what the king said to you; do not hide it from us, and we will not put you to death,'

Jeremiah 38:25 niv

If the officials hear that I talked with you, and they come to you and say, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you; do not hide it from us or we will kill you,'

Jeremiah 38:25 esv

If the officials hear that I have spoken with you and come to you and say to you, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you; hide nothing from us and we will not put you to death,'

Jeremiah 38:25 nlt

My officials may hear that I spoke to you, and they may say, 'Tell us what you and the king were talking about. If you don't tell us, we will kill you.'

Jeremiah 38 verses

Jeremiah 38 25 Meaning

This verse from Jeremiah highlights King Zedekiah's inquiry about the prophecies of Jeremiah. He seeks confirmation from Jeremiah about the word of the Lord concerning the imminent fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, driven by a desire for personal reassurance and potentially a divine word of escape or different outcome for himself and his people.

Jeremiah 38 25 Context

Jeremiah 38 is set during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. Jerusalem is on the brink of collapse, and internal divisions are rampant. Zedekiah, the king, is portrayed as a weak ruler, indecisive and easily influenced by his officials who despise Jeremiah's prophecies of doom and surrender. Jeremiah had been imprisoned due to his messages predicting the city's fall, a message seen as treasonous by many in leadership. This particular interaction in chapter 38, where Zedekiah secretly calls for Jeremiah, shows the king's personal dilemma and his desperate, albeit fearful, search for divine confirmation or guidance amidst impending catastrophe.

Jeremiah 38 25 Word Analysis

• "Again" (Hebrew: שׁוּב, shuv): This word signifies repetition or returning. It implies Zedekiah's previous, likely unrecorded, interaction or continued inquiry, reflecting a recurring anxiety or indecisiveness regarding God's word. It can also imply a turning back to a particular course of action or seeking.

• "King" (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ, melech): Refers to Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, illustrating the authority he held but also his desperate need for supernatural confirmation.

• "Zedekiah" (Hebrew: צִדְקִיָּהוּ, Tzidqiyyahu): Meaning "My righteousness is Yahweh." The irony of his name, meaning God's righteousness, contrasts sharply with his own flawed character and his current predicament.

• "Sent" (Hebrew: שָׁלַח, shalach): Indicates dispatch or commission. Zedekiah initiates the communication, highlighting his active role in seeking Jeremiah.

• "And brought" (Hebrew: וַיִּקַּח, vayyiqach): A strong verb often translated as "took" or "brought." This action signifies Zedekiah taking possession of Jeremiah, bringing him from confinement into his presence.

• "Prophet" (Hebrew: נָבִיא, nabî'): The divinely appointed messenger. Zedekiah recognizes Jeremiah's status, even while being conflicted by his message.

• "Jeremiah" (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu): Meaning "Yahweh casts" or "Yahweh exalts." His name reflects God's sovereignty over his life and message.

• "Out of the court of the guard" (Hebrew: מִבֹּ֘קֶר הַסֹֹּהַר, mibbōqer hassohar): This phrase signifies bringing Jeremiah from a place of confinement or guardedness, out into the king's immediate presence. "Bōqer" can refer to morning or the open area. "Sohar" refers to a guarded place, specifically mentioning the court where the guard was kept.

• Words-group analysis: The phrase "sent and brought the prophet Jeremiah out of the court of the guard" encapsulates Zedekiah's internal conflict and action. He commands action ("sent"), which results in the physical removal and presentation ("brought") of Jeremiah from his place of restriction, underscoring Zedekiah's personal, albeit clandestine, need for divine assurance through the prophet.

Jeremiah 38 25 Bonus Section

Zedekiah’s private audience with Jeremiah highlights a critical theme in Scripture: the personal encounter between human rulers and divine counsel. While prophets spoke publicly, leaders often sought personal clarification or sought to manipulate prophetic pronouncements. Zedekiah’s request, though appearing receptive, ultimately proves insufficient, as true submission requires more than hearing; it demands obedience, even when the message is difficult or contrary to human desires or political expediency, as tragically demonstrated in the subsequent chapters where Zedekiah's lack of obedience leads to Jerusalem's destruction and his own demise. This instance is a poignant example of "hearing the word" without fully "doing the word."

Jeremiah 38 25 Commentary

Zedekiah's action demonstrates a king wrestling with a dire situation and the weighty prophetic word. Despite the opposition from his officials and the dire circumstances of the siege, Zedekiah feels compelled to hear directly from Jeremiah. This isn't necessarily an endorsement of God's message but a desperate attempt to find any sliver of hope or divine direction. He understands Jeremiah is God's mouthpiece but is also fearful of the consequences of accepting the prophet's unvarnished truth. The verse captures a moment of individual wrestling with divine revelation during a time of national crisis, showing that even those in power feel vulnerable before God's pronouncements. The private nature of the summoning suggests Zedekiah’s personal turmoil and perhaps his awareness that his court would condemn any admission of Jeremiah’s legitimacy.