Jeremiah 39:12 kjv
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
Jeremiah 39:12 nkjv
"Take him and look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him just as he says to you."
Jeremiah 39:12 niv
"Take him and look after him; don't harm him but do for him whatever he asks."
Jeremiah 39:12 esv
"Take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you."
Jeremiah 39:12 nlt
"See that he isn't hurt," he said. "Look after him well, and give him anything he wants."
Jeremiah 39 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 39:14 | "...the LORD had commanded" | Fulfilment of God's command |
| Jeremiah 40:1 | "...the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after that Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, had set him free from Ramah..." | Further confirmation and context |
| Jeremiah 38:28 | "And as Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard, it happened that I will do this great evil to the city." | Direct preceding event |
| 2 Kings 25:4 | "When the city wall was broken through, all the men of war fled by the way of the gate between the two walls..." | Historical account of Jerusalem's fall |
| 2 Chron 36:17 | "Therefore He brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary..." | God's judgment on Judah |
| Isaiah 44:28 | "Who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose; saying to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,” and to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”'" | God using kings for His purpose |
| Isaiah 45:1-3 | "Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus..." | God's sovereignty over nations |
| Daniel 9:2 | "...I, Daniel, understood from the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years." | Jeremiah's prophecy acknowledged |
| Luke 1:70 | "as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old..." | Prophetic fulfillment |
| Acts 2:29-31 | "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us today... for David, foreseeing this, spoke about the resurrection of the Christ..." | David's prophecy concerning Messiah |
| John 1:14 | "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." | God's interaction with humanity |
| Romans 8:28 | "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God's plan in difficult times |
| Romans 11:33 | "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" | God's mysterious ways |
| Ephesians 1:11 | "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..." | God's sovereign will |
| Jeremiah 29:10 | "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place." | God's promise of restoration |
| Jeremiah 1:12 | "Then the LORD said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching to see that my word is performed.'" | God's commitment to His word |
| Jeremiah 20:11 | "But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my pursuers will stumble and will not prevail..." | God's protection of Jeremiah |
| Psalm 37:23 | "The steps of a good man are directed by the LORD, and he delights in his way." | God's guidance for the righteous |
| Psalm 105:42 | "For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant." | God remembering His covenant |
| 1 Corinthians 1:9 | "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." | God's faithfulness |
| Hebrews 13:5 | "...for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" | God's unfailing presence |
| Joshua 1:5 | "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." | God's promise to Joshua |
Jeremiah 39 verses
Jeremiah 39 12 Meaning
This verse describes Jeremiah's release from prison in Jerusalem, ordered by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and executed by Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard. Jeremiah is released because of a prior instruction given to Nebuzaradan by Nebuchadnezzar himself.
Jeremiah 39 12 Context
The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile is a pivotal event in the Old Testament. Jeremiah had been prophesying for decades, warning Judah of the impending destruction if they did not repent. His prophecies were largely ignored or met with opposition. During the siege and eventual conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, Jeremiah was taken and initially imprisoned. This verse marks a turning point in his personal experience of that conquest, indicating his release through Babylonian action. The historical context is the culmination of God's judgment upon Judah for its persistent sin and disobedience.
Jeremiah 39 12 Word Analysis
- and: (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - A conjunctive particle, linking phrases or clauses. Here, it connects Nebuzaradan's actions regarding other captives with his specific action concerning Jeremiah.
- Jeremiah: (Hebrew: יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirməyāhû) - The name means "Yahweh lofts" or "Yahweh exalts." It refers to the prophet himself.
- the prophet: (Hebrew: הַנָּבִיא, hannābî') - A title for Jeremiah, signifying his divinely appointed role.
- was: (Hebrew: הָיָה, hāyâ) - To be; to exist. Indicates Jeremiah's status or condition.
- found: (Hebrew: מָצָא, māṣā') - To find; to obtain; to happen upon. Here, it refers to Nebuzaradan discovering Jeremiah among the captives.
- in: (Hebrew: בְּ, bə) - A preposition, indicating location or circumstance.
- the court: (Hebrew: חָצֵר, ḥāṣer) - An enclosed space; a courtyard, often within a fortified place.
- of the guard: (Hebrew: הַמִּשְׁמָר, hammišmār) - The guard; a watch; a garrison. Refers to the place where prisoners or guards were stationed.
- and: (Hebrew: וְ, wə) - Conjunction.
- they: (Hebrew: הֵם, hēm) - Pronoun, referring to Nebuzaradan and his men.
- delivered: (Hebrew: נָתַן, nāṯan) - To give; to deliver; to hand over.
- him: (Hebrew: אֹתוֹ, 'ōṯô) - Pronoun, referring to Jeremiah.
- unto: (Hebrew: אֶל, 'el) - Preposition indicating direction.
- him: (Hebrew: אֹתוֹ, 'ōṯô) - Pronoun, referring to Nebuzaradan receiving Jeremiah.
- to: (Hebrew: לַעֲשׂוֹת, la‘ăśôṯ) - Infinitive construction, meaning "to do" or "for doing."
- his: (Hebrew: לוֹ, lô) - Possessive pronoun.
- home: (Hebrew: בַּיִת, báyit) - House; home. Here, it implies bringing Jeremiah to his own place or according to his desires.
Word Group Analysis:
- "found Jeremiah the prophet... in the court of the guard": This phrase emphasizes the specific location where Jeremiah was apprehended or present after the fall of the city, distinguishing him from other captives.
- "they delivered him unto him": This indicates a transfer of custody or responsibility, highlighting Nebuzaradan as the one in authority receiving Jeremiah.
- "to do his pleasure" (Hebrew: לַעֲשׂוֹת אֹתוֹ אֶל לוֹ, la‘ăśôṯ 'ōṯô 'el lô): This phrase is significant. While it can mean "to do whatever he pleased" with Jeremiah, in the context of Nebuchadnezzar's prior instructions to Nebuzaradan (as indicated in subsequent verses like Jeremiah 39:12), it strongly suggests doing what Nebuzaradan wished or thought was right or proper in handling Jeremiah, which, in light of those instructions, was to treat him well.
Jeremiah 39 12 Bonus Section
The favor shown to Jeremiah by Nebuzaradan is a testament to the divine protection that God extends to His faithful servants, even when surrounded by severe judgment. Jeremiah had consistently warned of this exile, and his personal deliverance highlights that God's faithfulness to His covenant people (even in chastisement) is primary. This event echoes other instances where God used gentile rulers for His purposes, such as Cyrus the Persian king who would later allow the Jews to return from exile (Ezra 1). The underlying message is that God's word will be performed, and His prophets will be preserved to deliver the full counsel of God.
Jeremiah 39 12 Commentary
Nebuzaradan, the commander of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, discovered Jeremiah within the military precinct. Instead of treating him as a typical captive, Nebuzaradan followed instructions from his king to handle Jeremiah favorably. This act of preservation was divinely orchestrated, ensuring God's prophet survived the destruction of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar’s concern for Jeremiah was not arbitrary; it stemmed from a recognized authority of God's prophet, possibly influenced by the positive interactions the Babylonians had with prophets, including Daniel, in the past, or by specific divine warnings or indications to Nebuchadnezzar himself. This is a clear demonstration of God’s sovereignty, working through pagan kings to protect His chosen messenger and ensure the continuation of His message, even amidst devastating judgment.