Jeremiah 38:4 kjv
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
Jeremiah 38:4 nkjv
Therefore the princes said to the king, "Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm."
Jeremiah 38:4 niv
Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."
Jeremiah 38:4 esv
Then the officials said to the king, "Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm."
Jeremiah 38:4 nlt
So these officials went to the king and said, "Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!"
Jeremiah 38 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 38:4 | "Therefore thus saith the LORD; Cast him into the dungeon: and let him down with ropes. And there is no water in the dungeon, but mire: so Jeremiah shall sink in the mire." | Explicit Fulfillment |
| Jeremiah 20:2 | "Then... Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the prison at the upper gate of Benjamin..." | Jeremiah's Persecution |
| Jeremiah 1:17 | "For, behold, I have made thee this day a fortified tower, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land..." | God's Assurance to Jeremiah |
| Jeremiah 15:10 | "Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to all the land!" | Jeremiah's Lament |
| Jeremiah 37:15 | "Wherefore did ye not smite Jeremiah the Sadducee of Anathoth, which cometh to you?" | Accusations against Jeremiah |
| Jeremiah 38:14 | "Then King Zedekiah sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet out of the court of the prison..." | Jeremiah's Release |
| Jeremiah 38:22 | "Now all his women and his children are brought unto the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape them..." | Consequences for Zedekiah |
| 2 Kings 24:12 | "And he... took all the host, and all the men of might, unto Babylon." | Babylonian Captivity |
| 2 Kings 25:7 | "And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes..." | Cruelty of the Captors |
| Isaiah 5:20 | "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness..." | Judah's Spiritual Perversion |
| Isaiah 30:1 | "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit..." | Rejection of God's Counsel |
| Isaiah 53:4 | "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows..." | Suffering Servant |
| Psalm 69:14 | "Deliver me out of the mire: let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and from the deep waters." | Cry for Deliverance |
| Psalm 42:7 | "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me." | Metaphor of Distress |
| Proverbs 28:1 | "The righteous is bold as a lion." | Contrast in Character |
| Proverbs 29:1 | "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." | Consequences of Stubbornness |
| John 15:19 | "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." | Persecution of Believers |
| Acts 7:59 | "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." | Persecution of Early Christians |
| Romans 8:35 | "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution..." | Unshakable Faith |
| 2 Timothy 3:12 | "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." | Suffering for Righteousness |
| 1 Peter 4:12 | "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:" | Facing Trials |
| Matthew 10:22 | "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." | Perseverance Through Persecution |
| Matthew 5:10 | "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Beatitudes on Persecution |
Jeremiah 38 verses
Jeremiah 38 4 Meaning
This verse describes a dire consequence faced by Jeremiah, prophesying the capture and mistreatment of the leaders of Judah, who had given up hope in God’s deliverance and embraced defeat. Their actions would lead to their suffering in the hands of the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 38 4 Context
Jeremiah chapter 38 is set during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. The city is under immense pressure, and King Zedekiah's leadership is faltering. Jeremiah has been prophesying the inevitable fall of the city and urging submission to the Babylonians for the sake of survival. However, his message is perceived as treasonous by the princes and officials of Judah, who are resistant to surrender and are seeking their own ways to preserve the city and their own power. This specific verse occurs after the princes accuse Jeremiah of weakening the resolve of the soldiers and the people, leading them to demand his death. King Zedekiah, though hesitant to execute Jeremiah, ultimately acquiesces to the princes' demand, illustrating the pervasive unbelief and fear within the leadership.
Jeremiah 38 4 Word Analysis
- "Therefore": Implies a logical consequence stemming from the preceding accusations and condemnation by the princes.
- "thus saith the LORD": A prophetic formula, asserting that the ensuing words are directly from God, giving them divine authority despite the human action of casting Jeremiah into the pit.
- "Cast him into the dungeon":
- "Dungeon": The Hebrew word used is "bor" (בּוֹר), which can refer to a cistern, pit, or a dungeon. In this context, it signifies a deep, confining, and likely unpleasant place of confinement, emphasizing the severity of the punishment. Cisterns were often dry and could become muddy at the bottom, suitable for holding someone without direct physical assault initially.
- "and let him down with ropes": Indicates a deliberate act of lowering him into a deep pit, suggesting a forceful and unceremonious treatment. The ropes highlight the helplessness of Jeremiah in this moment.
- "And there is no water in the dungeon": Emphasizes the purpose of the imprisonment. It’s not about regular imprisonment with access to basic necessities, but rather a more severe, punitive measure.
- "but mire": The Hebrew word for mire is "cheres" (חֶרֶס) or possibly "betzach" (בִּצָה) depending on translation interpretation and manuscript variations, referring to mud or mire. This detail highlights the deplorable and potentially deadly conditions, suggesting that Jeremiah would sink and possibly suffocate or die from exposure and lack of sustenance.
- "so Jeremiah shall sink in the mire": A dire prophecy of his fate. "Sink" (נָפַל - nafal, to fall or sink) implies a gradual descent into misery and likely death due to the foul conditions. This predicts the outcome of their cruel action.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "Cast him into the dungeon... no water... but mire": This group of phrases paints a vivid picture of a place designed for neglect and slow suffering, rather than immediate execution. The lack of water and the presence of mire signify abandonment and a drawn-out, agonizing fate, contrasting with outright execution, making the princes’ action a more insidious form of malice.
- "Let him down with ropes": This signifies the act of his enemies treating him as a worthless object being disposed of, highlighting his vulnerability and their complete disregard for his person or message.
Jeremiah 38 4 Bonus Section
The experience of Jeremiah in the pit mirrors aspects of the messianic prophecy in Psalm 69, which the New Testament applies to Christ (e.g., Acts 1:20). Jeremiah's suffering foreshadows Christ's own suffering, death, and resurrection, offering a typological link. This underscores that the path of the faithful servant often involves profound suffering, as Jesus Himself predicted for His followers (John 15:18-20). The mire can be seen as a symbol of the "depths" of affliction and spiritual opposition faced by God's people throughout history. Jeremiah's eventual rescue by Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian eunuch, demonstrates that God can use unlikely means and individuals to bring deliverance. This interjection of God's direct word highlights that no matter how dire the earthly circumstances or how powerful the opposition, God’s word and His purpose will ultimately prevail.
Jeremiah 38 4 Commentary
This verse is a powerful testament to Jeremiah's faithfulness in the face of intense persecution. Despite the earthly authority condemning him and subjecting him to horrific conditions—being cast into a pit filled with mire, a place of desolation and despair—God’s divine perspective is declared. The "therefore" connects the princes' unjust action directly to their own spiritual failure and rebellion against God's word as spoken through Jeremiah. They are described as having "given up hope" (implied in the context of chapter 38), leading them to a desperate and cruel act against God’s prophet.
The prophecy of Jeremiah sinking in the mire signifies a period of deep suffering and abandonment, yet it’s not the end of his story. This hardship, like many faced by prophets, was intended to refine him and to underscore the message he carried. It illustrates a fundamental conflict: the world often rejects and persecutes those who speak God’s truth, especially when that truth exposes sin and calls for repentance or painful submission to God’s will.
The inclusion of "thus saith the LORD" highlights God’s awareness of and sovereignty over Jeremiah's suffering. While men act in malice, God frames their actions within His overarching plan, eventually leading to Jeremiah's rescue (as seen in later verses). This verse reminds believers that persecution for righteousness’ sake is not unexpected; rather, it is a consequence of aligning with God in a fallen world, and God remains present even in the deepest "mire."