Jeremiah 37:15
Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְצְפ֧וּ
were wroth
H7107
וַיִּקְצְפ֧וּ
were wroth
Strong's:
H7107
Word #:
1 of 18
to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage
הַשָּׂרִ֛ים
Wherefore the princes
H8269
הַשָּׂרִ֛ים
Wherefore the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
2 of 18
a head person (of any rank or class)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
with Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
with Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
4 of 18
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
וְהִכּ֣וּ
and smote
H5221
וְהִכּ֣וּ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 18
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֹת֑וֹ
H853
אֹת֑וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְנָתְנ֨וּ
him and put
H5414
וְנָתְנ֨וּ
him and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אוֹת֜וֹ
H853
אוֹת֜וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְבֵ֥ית
in the house
H1004
לְבֵ֥ית
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְבֵ֥ית
in the house
H1004
לְבֵ֥ית
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַסֹּפֵ֔ר
the scribe
H5608
הַסֹּפֵ֔ר
the scribe
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֹת֥וֹ
H853
אֹת֥וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עָשׂ֖וּ
for they had made
H6213
עָשׂ֖וּ
for they had made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
16 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:26Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.Acts 5:18And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.Jeremiah 26:16Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man is not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.Matthew 21:35And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.Genesis 39:20And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.2 Chronicles 16:10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.2 Chronicles 18:26And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's conditions during the extended siege (18 months total) were desperate. Famine, disease, and military pressure created chaos. Normal civic institutions broke down. Jonathan the scribe's house being repurposed as prison suggests official facilities were unavailable or needed for military purposes. The dungeon mentioned in verse 16 was particularly harsh—likely a cistern or underground chamber. Jeremiah's treatment contrasts sharply with Zedekiah's later private consultations (vv. 17-21), showing the king's conflicted posture: respecting the prophet privately while allowing officials to persecute him publicly.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does faithful proclamation of God's word often provoke violent opposition from civil authorities?
- How should we respond when officially punished for speaking biblical truth?
- What does the princes' anger at Jeremiah (despite flimsy evidence) reveal about the real nature of opposition to prophetic ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah—their anger (qatsap, קָצַף, intense displeasure/fury) reveals predetermined hostility unrelated to evidence. They were angry at Jeremiah's message and seized the arrest as opportunity to punish him. And smote him—the Hebrew hikou (הִכּוּ, beat/struck) indicates violent assault, likely flogging. This official beating recalls the earlier assault when Pashur struck Jeremiah and put him in stocks (20:2).
And put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison—this improvised prison in beit hasofer (בֵּית הַסֹּפֵר, house of the scribe) suggests Jerusalem's regular facilities were overwhelmed or destroyed during siege conditions. Scribes were educated officials who managed administrative functions; Jonathan's house was commandeered as detention center. The phrase ki-oto asu beit hakele (כִּי־אֹתוֹ עָשׂוּ בֵּית הַכֶּלֶא, for they had made that the prison) explains this unusual arrangement.
The beating and imprisonment constitute official persecution for prophetic ministry. This pattern runs throughout Scripture: Elijah fled Jezebel's wrath, Micaiah was imprisoned for true prophecy (1 Kings 22:27), John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus was crucified, apostles were beaten (Acts 5:40). Faithful proclamation often provokes violent opposition from those whose power or ideology is threatened by God's word (John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12).