Jeremiah 37:13
And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִי
H1961
וַיְהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ה֞וּא
H1931
ה֞וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
בְּשַׁ֣עַר
And when he was in the gate
H8179
בְּשַׁ֣עַר
And when he was in the gate
Strong's:
H8179
Word #:
3 of 22
an opening, i.e., door or gate
בִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֗ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
4 of 22
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְשָׁם֙
H8033
בַּ֣עַל
a captain
H1167
בַּ֣עַל
a captain
Strong's:
H1167
Word #:
6 of 22
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
וּשְׁמוֹ֙
was there whose name
H8034
וּשְׁמוֹ֙
was there whose name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וַיִּתְפֹּ֞שׂ
and he took
H8610
וַיִּתְפֹּ֞שׂ
and he took
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
14 of 22
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִרְמְיָ֤הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֤הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
16 of 22
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:7Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;Zechariah 14:10All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.Acts 24:13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.Acts 6:11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.Jeremiah 21:9He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.Jeremiah 18:18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.Jeremiah 20:10For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.Jeremiah 38:1Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,Luke 23:2And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Historical Context
Desertion was a serious problem during Jerusalem's siege. Jeremiah himself had prophesied that those who surrendered to Babylon would live while those who remained would die (21:9; 38:2). Some did defect based on his prophecies (38:19; 39:9). This made Jeremiah appear to encourage desertion, though his message was theological (submit to God's decreed judgment) rather than political (betray your nation). Irijah's charge, though false regarding Jeremiah's personal intent, reflected genuine tension between prophetic counsel and patriotic loyalty. The authorities could not distinguish between submitting to God's will and betraying Judah.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we distinguish between submitting to God's will and betraying legitimate earthly loyalties when they seem to conflict?
- What role might Irijah's family history (grandson of the false prophet Hananiah) have played in his willingness to arrest Jeremiah?
- When have you been accused of disloyalty for obeying God's word that contradicted popular expectations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah—the sha'ar Binyamin (שַׁעַר בִּנְיָמִן, gate of Benjamin) was Jerusalem's northern gate leading toward Benjamin territory. The ba'al pekudah (בַּעַל פְּקֻדָּה, captain of the ward) was a sentry officer responsible for monitoring traffic. Irijah's genealogy is recorded, perhaps because his grandfather Hananiah was the false prophet who opposed Jeremiah in chapter 28, creating family animosity.
And he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans—the accusation uses nofel (נֹפֵל, falling away/deserting), technical terminology for defection to the enemy. This charge carried extreme gravity during siege conditions; desertion was punishable by death. The verb's participial form suggests habitual action: 'you are deserting,' implying intent to join Babylon's forces.
The irony is profound: Jeremiah had consistently advocated submission to Babylon as God's will (21:8-9; 38:2), but never for personal advantage or national betrayal. His counsel was prophetic, not political; theological, not treasonous. Yet speaking God's word made him appear disloyal to nationalistic leaders who confused political allegiance with covenant faithfulness.