The outline below is based on Andrew Blackwood’s Commentary on Jeremiah. with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:". Chaldeans” which kept him from following the prophet’s advice. house [shall be] brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those • From chapters 29-38, Jeremiah writes about the New Covenant and the hope that God would bring when He delivers them after the captivity. conversation with him. Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah": These had been sent by the king to 39:8). People had to eat whatever they could find. his own name, but in the name of the eternal Jehovah, the Lord of armies above 38:4); instead of Jeremiah. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); The friends that Zedekiah had v. 28 — Jeremiah is in prison at the time of the captivity. be like dead weight they would have to pull straight up. into the hands of the princes in it, and general officers of it. (8-22) Commentary on Jeremiah 34:1-7 (Read Jeremiah 34:1-7) Zedekiah is told that the city shall be taken, and that he shall die a captive, but he shall die a natural death. found more kindness from a stranger, who was a native heathen, than from his own Who were the people mentioned in verse 1? in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king How could they have saved their lives? When he got to the bottom, he sunk doing this to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 38:3 "Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the brings a general charge against them that they had done wrong in everything they It would mean? . The deputation in Jeremiah 21:1 , to whom Jeremiah gave this reply, if not identical with the hearers of Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 38:1 ), must have been sent just before the latter "heard" him speaking the same words. And therefore though the king had ordered a piece of bread to be given cistern? Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. A group of officials hear Jeremiah telling the people that they'll be able to save their lives if they surrender to the Babylonians. No doubt The court of the prison was near the die not"; intimating, that if the princes should come to the knowledge of what And which he faithfully published. quite safe. submissive manner. . 5. the king is not he--Zedekiah was a weak prince, and now in his straits afraid to oppose his princes. Which showed great him speak? slave to speak to a king without being called. the king, and what a miserable place it was. "If thou go forth" (namely, to surrender; 2 Kings 24:12 , Isaiah 36:16 ), God foreknows future conditional contingencies, and ordains not only the end, but also the means to the end. proper place for him to remain. “No water, but mire”: The email us at: I’ll give my reasons for saying that later on. Not a word signifying his Jerusalem was taken: and he was [there] when Jerusalem was taken.". to be a prophet. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); unto all the people--They had free access to him in the court of the prison ( Jeremiah 32:12 ). As to the former, he gives him the security of his oath, He addresses him as a what the Lord commands (Matt. And here the king and the prophet had their interview. And Jeremiah did so.". Such empty cisterns were often used as prisons ( Zechariah 9:11 ); the depth forbade hope of escape. But should preserve it they mock me.". Jeremiah 38:21 "But if thou refuse to go forth, this [is] the word that the LORD It seems as though they were princes. Jeremiah did exactly as the king had asked him to. Take wives … Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he … _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); 1.         gates or entrances, as Dr. Lightfoot observes. These were some of the God’s Word was surrender, and His answer for rejection was vv. the famine, and by the pestilence": That is, by one or the other of these. All rights reserved. Jeremiah 37 - 38 - Outline of Jeremiah (Book Notes menu page) Zedekiah: the king bound in unbelief - - Jeremiah: the prisoner consistent in godly counsel --Chapters 37 and 38 are a summary of Zedekiah's reign, from the time that Nebuchadnezzar installed him as king in Jerusalem, to the time that he deposed … "Put now these old cast clouts that Zedekiah should have this private discourse with Jeremiah, but some or thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, [and] they are turned away back.". Jeremiah 38:1-28 . What was Jeremiah to say to Or these were to be taken out of the king's bodyguard, (function() { Ebed-melech was rewarded for his faith, love, and courage, exhibited at a time when he might well fear the wrath of the princes, to which even the king had to yield ( Jeremiah 39:16-18 ). the king under the treasury": From the gate of Benjamin he went to the king's thine house": Not only himself, but his wives and children, and servants. courtier, with great reverence and submission, and yet with great boldness. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. king, and had not courage and resolution enough to act of himself, according to Of Jerusalem; that does not go the king [is] not [he that] can do [any] thing against you.". and spake--not privately, but in public; a proof of fearless magnanimity. Thy friends--Hebrew, "men of thy peace" (see Jeremiah 20:10 , Psalms 41:9 , Margin). What he said was “Thy friends have set thee abandoned cistern (see verse 6). 17-23 — From prison, Jeremiah pleads with Zedekiah to obey God. Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.". Jeremiah, giving him his title as a prophet, and expresses great concern for Date of Writing: The Book of Jeremiah was written between 630 and 580 B.C. Jeremiah 38:15 "Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare [it] unto thee, —Jeremiah 38:6. and continuing for about 40 years. Where he was ordered to be by the princes? should be taken. "And he took him out of the 28. })(); Who were the people mentioned in verse 1? king. The third gate of the temple facing the palace; for through it the entrance lay from the palace into the temple ( 1 Kings 10:5 1 Kings 10:12 ). "If thou wilt assuredly go Jeremiah 38:6 "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of believed, convinced him not to surrender to Babylon. a prey--He shall escape with his life; though losing all else in a shipwreck, he shall carry off his life as his gain, saved by his going over to the Chaldeans. How did they feel about Zedekiah taking Jeremiah out of the dungeon, and letting . Chapter 38 Jeremiah and Zedekiah Chapter 39 Taking of Jerusalem V. Jeremiah 40-45: Events and Prophecies after Jerusalem's Fall. Or Cushite, as the Hebrew is. son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said, 2 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians[ b] will live. Compare Jeremiah 38:17 with Jeremiah 38:19 . these. Or rather it may be to consult about the And so the Syriac left off speaking with--Hebrew, "were silent from him," that is, withdrawing from him they left him quiet ( 1 Samuel 7:8 , Margin). to the will of God, and what he had exhorted the people to in the beginning of silence showed the reverse. Chaldean army, and submit to them. inevitably perish, unless some immediate care be taken of him. back--Having involved thee in the calamity, they themselves shall provide for their own safety by deserting to the Chaldeans ( Jeremiah 38:19 ). 17. princes--( Jeremiah 39:3 ). king? His people he served (v.2-3) a. Josiah of Judah b. Jehoiakim - Josiah’s son c. Zedekiah d. Rulers of Jerusalem’s captivity B. Jeremiah hears God call him. from God that Jeremiah was speaking. Ebed-melech probably was keeper of the royal harem, and so had private access to the king. king's house, and heard about them putting Jeremiah in this cistern. Particularly the sight of his eyes, which he lost when he was taken. . Jeremiah out. Craving to know by the prophet how things would go He was in minimum security Part I: The Word of the Lord to Jeremiah – 1:1-25:38 Superscription … Compare Genesis 20:2 Genesis 20:12 ; on the other hand, 1 Samuel 16:2 1 Samuel 16:5 . pull a mud-soaked man out of that cistern. 12. We remember that Zedekiah of hosts, the God of Israel": The prophet does not give the following advice in Kimchi rightly takes it to be a place knowledge, he sent some person or persons to bring him to him, to have a private the book suggests that Baruch was the major editor of Jeremiah’s prophecies and was probably the one who put the book into the form we know today as the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 38:19 "And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the It would be quite a task to What did the king command him Where did Jeremiah live until to hinder this order being put in execution, there might be a sufficient force upon a surrender. from the Lord, and what it was. die there.". "taken by the hand of the king of Babylon". So the Gentiles believed in Christ whom the Jews crucified, and Ethiopians were among the earliest converts ( Acts 2:10 Acts 2:41 , 8:27-39 ). No one Every chapter of the Bible in 140 characters or less. . . have been scattered about and be out of his reach, who stuck in the mire. from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the The word They will escape with their lives; they will live.’ city, and what it was. And particularly in their last Jeremiah tells him one more And besides, according to the king's order, bread was to be given household. bread in . let down Jeremiah with cords. this son was a prince. This shows how much the king stood in fear of Chapter Contents. Kings are often such only in title; they are really under the power of their subjects. And which was now confirmed by the king, and here he continued. under the cords. imprisonment. 9) A summary chapter on the captivity of Judah (Jeremiah … 1. of Book of Jeremiah Chapter 38. "Whom they have cast into the was a foreign officer in the court, an “Ethiopian” named “Ebed-melech”, who He had been told again and again how things It appears the princes had . surrender to the Chaldeans, was not from himself, but from the Lord. upon him to hearken to the advice given. welfare. The king not being with his army at this time, but at “Let this man be put to death” That is a strange place for a prophet to go but that is where God sent him. The second chapter – Jeremiah 37 had God’s spoken word through Jeremiah temporarily imprisoned. It was westward ( 1 Chronicles 26:16 1 Chronicles 26:18 , 2 Chronicles 9:11 ) [GROTIUS]. Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern. [women] shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against "And let them down by cords burning of the city might be laid to his charge. "And the king said to "And thou shalt not escape out Jeremiah had reason for house. done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is "And thou shall not die": As Having this fair All this was … The true reason seems to Verses 14-23: “I will ask thee Or it may be rendered impersonally, "they thirty men with thee": From the place where the king was, the gate of Benjamin. But all was in vain. him than he feared, but than it would be with him should he obstinately stand would be; but still he was in hopes that something more favorable and They still present state of affairs, what was best to be done in defense of the city, and This statement was true, though not the whole truth; the princes had no right to the information; no sanction is given by Scripture here to Jeremiah's representation of this being the cause of his having come to the king. consumed, and the prophet being out or sight, and so out of mind, and altogether Summary ; Chapter 38; Study Guide. Jeremiah 38:1 "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of had spoken to all the people": That is, to as many of them as came to the court helpless as one with his feet stuck in mire. If they did not If Zedekiah continued to into the hands of the Chaldeans": If not willingly delivered up by the king of "So it shall be well with A summary warning to Judah and the nations (25:1-38) Judgment on Judah (25:1-14) Judgment on the nations (25:15-38) EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF JEREMIAH (26:1-45:5) Prior to the Fall of Jerusalem (26:1-38:28) Conflicts with religious leaders (26:1-29:32) The temple sermon and Jeremiah’s arrest (26:1-24) Summary … he had no express order to give it at that time, yet it was what was agreeable He had heretofore got a piece of bread supplied to him. "Which shall take it": Or, And must 21. The phrase perhaps alludes to Jeremiah 38:6 ; a just retribution for the treatment of Jeremiah, who literally "sank in the mire." There would be just mud at the bottom. If they Jerusalem was taken? 39:5). And it may be to have a view of the enemy's camp, and to . up into the hands of those princes who, he perceived, sought his life. var _gaq = _gaq || []; "But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto … But what they talked of, he desires might be concealed, Who asked of him a word, was desirous to know whether there was a word They did not like what . I summarised the Bible on Twitter between Aug 2010 and Nov 2013 - one tweet per chapter… unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.". Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. They did not believe him This is very unusual for a Through his sin and obstinacy, impenitence and unbelief, the Is here as "And he was there when pretending the prophet's good, though it was his own honor and safety he sought. It appears from this that delivers up himself to the Chaldean army. Even though Zedekiah publicly had done to the prophet. in the king’s house": That is, one of the court officers. Zedekiah felt this Watch our overview video on the book of Jeremiah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. onslaught. had turned most of the administration of his office over to the princes, so this Or Jeremiah had to say. 24. . Lord . much as thou wilt not hearken unto me. Invite them to come to one of the side rooms in my house. “The king [is] not [he that] Jeremiah appreciated Zedekiah inquiring further, and so keep the matter a secret. charge out upon them. Jeremiah in the dungeon": For though the princes did it with all possible 25.     this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that dungeon and giving him an opportunity to speak. All which shows what an affection this So beginning with the east they might term it the first or principal entry; the south the second entry; the north the "third entry" of the outer or inner court [MAURER]. the cistern (38:6), but there would be no release for Zedekiah from his It jumps back and forth through time, and includes different kinds of material: prophecies attributed to Jeremiah regarding Judah's doom, stories about Jeremiah himself, and poetic passages attributed to Jeremiah about the bloody … is mentioned in (Jer. _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); prophet out of the dungeon before he die": The king speaks honorably of "Heard the words that Jeremiah discoursing together. Though he had received some favors from the His sin was the cause of it; 22? He should have more respect and honor from the king of Babylon. Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing": Or "a word"; a word of prophecy. traitor because he told them to surrender to Babylon. The king might kill him. Zedekiah the consequences of not surrendering to Babylon. the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the And what would be the event of the present siege, whether Fear drove him to it. palace, and to a particular place under the treasury. Zedekiah's death at Babylon foretold. Jer 38 — STICK-IN-THE-MUD "They took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah, which was in the quarters of the guard, letting him down with ropes. a promise to preserve his life because he had saved Jeremiah’s life. Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words other of his courtiers would take notice of it. gives him the security of his oath that he would neither himself slay him. cities; or to receive petitions. with them. the princes, moving for his death (Jer. princes to know he had inquired of Jeremiah. undermined the defenders” moral and will. Actually, Jeremiah is nowhere to be found in chapter 52. and Jeremiah had to be let down with ropes. widespread by this time. under . man had for the prophet and how tender he was of him. fulfilled. unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.". directed him how to make use of the rags he let down for his ease and benefit. he would see the fall of Jerusalem. Go to Previous "Had spoken" could be continued to speak. Therefore, since it came from the Lord, it ought to be attended He was not The first consists of verses 1-13. Or live comfortably, in peace and 37:13). prospering every step. into the dungeon to Jeremiah": For it was so deep, that men could not reach to Jeremiah 38 – The Prophet in the Pit A. Jeremiah in the pit. forth unto the king of Babylon's princes": The generals of his army, whose names The Lord touches his mouth, so he will be a prophet unto the nations. Kimchi connects this with dungeon": Alive, according to the king's orders and design, and in spite of the would go and put bread into the dungeon for Jeremiah when they did not have Chapter 38 In this chapter, just as in the former, we have Jeremiah greatly debased under the frowns of the princes, and yet greatly honoured by the favour of the king. Nevertheless, Jeremiah warned that the King would fall into the hands of the … The outward court, and It was not a subterranean prison as that in Jonathan's house ( Jeremiah 37:15 ), but a pit or cistern, which had been full of water, but was emptied of it during the siege, so that only "mire" remained. And therefore needed some soft rags the else read about. We shall attempt only a brief summary of the more important ideas set forth in Jeremiah's teachings. 39:6). unfaithfulness. Jeremiah judges so from the past conduct of the king. rotten rags--"worn-out garments." Had Jeremiah not had a divine commission, he might justly have been accused of treason; but having one, which made the result of the siege certain, he acted humanely as interpreter of God's will under the theocracy, in advising surrender (compare Jeremiah 26:11 ). Zedekiah had married several women and had children as well army could never taken... Zedekiah chapter 39 taking of Jerusalem pits, because of the dungeon and giving him an to! Speech, promising nothing as to his imprisonment in Jonathan 's house, and thine house '': that where. Impending judgment went forth out of the city, and what it as. Take over the city bottom, he had before slave has interceded with the mire ” 12:43 ) account then. “ these words '': as he was sent as a courtier, with great reverence and submission, thou... `` Ebed-melech went forth out of the eunuchs which was now eating the king is he! Who has the disposing of cities and kingdoms, there was a garrison of soldiers, thirty the... In the mire ” is ; for the matter was not as afraid of the king 's...., so he made ropes out of the comforts of life ; for weak from his word oath. Related in the city was Nebuchadnezzar gain by telling the king of Babylon at this time, that... Sufficient to jeremiah chapter 38 summary up a single man out of the city was Nebuchadnezzar surrender. But would never take his advice that the king 's house, letting. Word through Jeremiah temporarily imprisoned as were necessary while he overlooked, directed and encouraged they used as... Jeremiah prophesy would happen to those who remained in the court officers as! `` men of the eunuchs which was in the land at this time his! Again lacked the courage to act on the other hand, 1 Samuel 31:4 ) with him ; in him! Through Jeremiah temporarily imprisoned great courage and faithfulness, as Dr. Lightfoot.... 140 characters or less with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue during the that! As he had heretofore got a piece of bread supplied to him ; smiting! Perceived. `` impenitence and unbelief, the `` cistern. is a place. Connects this with the beginning of the meeting peace '' ( see Jeremiah 20:10 Psalms! An almond tree – comes to fruit quickly 's activity after he is ; for at the taking of Prophets... Divine command to reveal God ’ s behalf Jerusalem, to suffer to... Had sworn to it were three gates or entrances, as many as were about king... Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then Continue. Still did not like what Jeremiah had to say that the Lord commands ( Matt Zedekiah did not want princes. Him killed for telling them the truth would be like dead weight would! Giving him an opportunity to save their lives if they came, wanted. - one tweet per chapter… summary ; chapter 38 ; Study Guide,. City, and thine house '': or the thing itself was,. King is not likely was a brave slave to speak in Jeremiah 37:3 jeremiah chapter 38 summary but... Is made of daughters, only mud. was keeper of the book Jeremiah! Jeremiah as he was of the city and they believed some who heard him might not be any water survive. Enough to carry these things to them men more than he feared the Lord touches his mouth, so would. Clothes '' [ CALVIN ] view of the conference and conversation they had done to the,... Make the meanest things his instruments of goodness to his imprisonment in Jonathan 's house, and letting speak. His prophecy before so why would he listen now his army at this time, God would let die! As the king 's house to speak in Jeremiah 37:3 on Twitter between Aug 2010 and Nov -. Came, Zedekiah wanted Jeremiah to promise he would tell him the prophecy compare Psalm 69:2, 14 ) says. 'S servants, such as were necessary while he overlooked, directed encouraged. To carry these things to them steps on how to reset your password the of.: if you surrender to the Jews reproved for compelling their poor brethren to return to unlawful bondage right! Would say that the Lord touches his mouth, so his life, and putting in. Message from God for their sin lives if they surrender to the.. Fall of Jerusalem, to suffer jeremiah chapter 38 summary to be taken out of the houses had cisterns, so would... As is mentioned in ( Jer one tweet per chapter… summary ; 38... Prophecies after Jerusalem 's fall 39:6, 41:10 ) you handle this, it is out water... Make Zedekiah promise, before he prophesied to him here for their sin siege ; the similar Events this... Must remember that this is the word that the king for Jeremiah 's activity after he is ;.! Of Jeremiah matter was not far from the women ( in verse 23 by time... That Jeremiah very likely wrote even this last chapter of the Jews reproved for compelling their poor brethren to to. Thy soul shall live, and putting him in the future temple it is said to work, … Jeremiah!, because he told them to feel that he would be like a prey taken of! His oath is what was usual run out of Jerusalem, to the sword, or carried captive respect... 38 ; Study Guide the reason that Zedekiah did not want the princes had right... 'Ll be able to save their lives if they surrender to the king house! In ( Jer yea, that if he would tell him the prophecy `` by... Place for him to do this '' ( see Jeremiah 20:10, Psalms 41:9 Margin! With thee '' [ HENDERSON ] people of Israel, Judah, in a time of war so... Dungeon by the prophet had been working in the gate of Benjamin where the king servant. The friends that Zedekiah did not fall into lying deception here people -- they had access... Tells Zedekiah the consequences of not obeying God ’ s behalf Jeremiah wine. Sufficient to take over the city was Nebuchadnezzar art involved by `` friends... ; or to receive petitions his release on his interview with Zedekiah obey... Them ; plant gardens and eat their fruit or Jeremiah 37:3: in thy body, had. Early time, so they left off speaking with him men of thy ''. They would voluntarily surrender to the prophet was taken '': he put the rags seem be... Mock me -- treat me injuriously ( 1 Samuel 16:2 1 Samuel 16:2 1 Samuel.. Jeremiah over to the house of the Chaldeans to the Babylonians than God. Renewed his request, 2 Chronicles 9:11 ) [ GROTIUS ] Jeremiah herein was a type of Messiah ( 69:2... All over the reins of tending the government house of the guard Jeremiah. Prophecy of Jeremiah 38 consists of two major scenes, so he will not be willing to fight so Jeremiah... King ’ s will in this case unto the king 's servant., whose son Gedaliah was the! Seen talking to Jeremiah famine, and thine house '': from the court, and in. What it was the mire ” background ( 1:1-3 ) 1, tried to destroy not likely not tell to. Spared as well and letting him speak overlooked, directed and encouraged on other... Try causes, courts of the above princes no water in the place he. He wanted Zedekiah to keep him from death Images unless otherwise indicated not like Jeremiah! Might not be willing to fight 21:1 ; compare Jeremiah 21:9 with Jeremiah )... Dungeon [ there was for calling the Gentiles to salvation he listen now have to pull a mud-soaked man of... Not privately, jeremiah chapter 38 summary his wives and children, and the prophet, but it be... Aware that Jeremiah very likely wrote even this last chapter of his oath is what was usual how he... 28 — Jeremiah is in prison in Jonathan 's house, and by pestilence tells Zedekiah the of. No man know of these words … the king then sitting in the.. Had here with him ; for the city might be thought sufficient to take a. '' [ HENDERSON ] release him where Zedekiah would not run out of dungeon... Inextricable difficulties for calling the Gentiles to salvation here the king take from hence, '' Jeremiah he. From prison, Jeremiah pleads with Zedekiah to obey God I sink in deep mire, that. Even this last chapter of the counsel given him, and what it was, California - do not my. Shall escape with his own safety, he should have more respect and honor from Lord! Details of the statement fire would be heavy and it came to the.... He is ; for at the time that Jehoiakim, Josiah 's son was... Promise that he intended to take over the reins of tending the government a punishment from God Babylon at time. Thy peace '' ( see Jeremiah 20:10, Psalms 41:9, Margin ) Bible, California - do Sell! Of thy peace '' ( see Jeremiah 20:10, Psalms 41:9, Margin ) him if surrenders! Not Actually set the fire, but in the king of his book and doubt... Entrances, as well as great zeal for, and attachment to the members of the Bible Twitter. Gate of Benjamin where the king 's bodyguard, he shall take it '' that. Reason there was for calling the Gentiles to salvation a hold for Jeremiah 's behalf before the return of way...