Jeremiah 32:3
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כְּלָא֔וֹ
had shut him up
H3607
כְּלָא֔וֹ
had shut him up
Strong's:
H3607
Word #:
2 of 22
to restrict, by act (hold back or in) or word (prohibit)
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 22
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מַדּוּעַ֩
H4069
מַדּוּעַ֩
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
7 of 22
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
נִבָּ֜א
Wherefore dost thou prophesy
H5012
נִבָּ֜א
Wherefore dost thou prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
9 of 22
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נֹתֵ֜ן
Behold I will give
H5414
נֹתֵ֜ן
Behold I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֥יר
this city
H5892
הָעִ֥יר
this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
17 of 22
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּיַ֥ד
into the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֥ד
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
19 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Historical Context
Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon despite Jeremiah's repeated warnings (Jeremiah 27-28), swayed by false prophets promising deliverance. His imprisonment of Jeremiah represents the establishment's attempt to suppress inconvenient truth—a pattern repeated throughout Scripture (Acts 4:1-3, 5:17-18).
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people often 'shoot the messenger' when confronted with unwelcome truth from God's word?
- How does Zedekiah's resistance to God's revealed will illustrate the doctrine of human depravity?
- What modern 'false prophets' promise peace and prosperity while ignoring God's conditions for blessing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore dost thou prophesy (מַדּוּעַ אַתָּה נִבָּא, maddua attah nibba)—Zedekiah's question drips with irony. He imprisons Jeremiah for prophesying doom, yet cannot silence him. The confrontation echoes Ahab versus Micaiah (1 Kings 22): rulers reject unwelcome truth.
Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon—The prophetic hinneh (behold!) demands attention to the unthinkable: YHWH Himself gives Jerusalem (His own dwelling place!) to pagans. This is covenant lawsuit language (rib): God enforces the Deuteronomic curses (Deuteronomy 28:49-52). Yet Jeremiah's imprisonment for speaking God's word highlights a central biblical tension—God's sovereignty versus human responsibility. Zedekiah cannot change the outcome, yet is culpable for rejecting the prophetic warning.