Jeremiah 37:17
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 21
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ
and took him out
H3947
וַיִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ
and took him out
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
4 of 21
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֨הוּ
asked
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֨הוּ
asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
5 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
בְּבֵיתוֹ֙
in his house
H1004
בְּבֵיתוֹ֙
in his house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בַּסֵּ֔תֶר
him secretly
H5643
בַּסֵּ֔תֶר
him secretly
Strong's:
H5643
Word #:
8 of 21
a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
יֵ֔שׁ
There is
H3426
יֵ֔שׁ
There is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
10 of 21
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
דָּבָ֖ר
Is there any word
H1697
דָּבָ֖ר
Is there any word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֑ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
And Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
And Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
15 of 21
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
יֵ֔שׁ
There is
H3426
יֵ֔שׁ
There is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
16 of 21
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
בְּיַ֥ד
into the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֥ד
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
18 of 21
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 21:7And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.Jeremiah 38:5Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.Jeremiah 37:3And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.Jeremiah 24:8And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:1 Kings 22:16And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?
Historical Context
Jeremiah was imprisoned when this consultation occurred. Despite his unjust treatment, he faithfully delivers God's message to the king who has the power to free or kill him.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain integrity in your witness when it's costly to do so?
- What does Jeremiah's consistency teach about the unchanging nature of God's truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Zedekiah's secret consultation with Jeremiah shows both his curiosity about God's word and his cowardice in acting on it. Jeremiah's answer is unchanged and uncompromising - 'Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.' True prophecy doesn't adjust to political pressure or popular demand. God's word remains consistent regardless of audience or consequence.