Jeremiah 37:21
Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּפְקִ֣דוּ
that they should commit
H6485
וַיַּפְקִ֣דוּ
that they should commit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 25
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
6 of 25
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
בַּחֲצַ֖ר
in the court
H2691
בַּחֲצַ֖ר
in the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
7 of 25
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃
of the prison
H4307
הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃
of the prison
Strong's:
H4307
Word #:
8 of 25
a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)
וְנָתֹן֩
and that they should give
H5414
וְנָתֹן֩
and that they should give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כִכַּר
a piece
H3603
כִכַּר
a piece
Strong's:
H3603
Word #:
11 of 25
a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l
הַלֶּ֖חֶם
of bread
H3899
הַלֶּ֖חֶם
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
12 of 25
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
לַיּוֹם֙
him daily
H3117
לַיּוֹם֙
him daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 25
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מִח֣וּץ
' street
H2351
מִח֣וּץ
' street
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תֹּ֥ם
were spent
H8552
תֹּ֥ם
were spent
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
17 of 25
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַלֶּ֖חֶם
of bread
H3899
הַלֶּ֖חֶם
of bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
19 of 25
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעִ֑יר
in the city
H5892
הָעִ֑יר
in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
21 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב
remained
H3427
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב
remained
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
23 of 25
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:13So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.Jeremiah 38:28So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.Jeremiah 32:2For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.Jeremiah 38:9My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.Jeremiah 52:6And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.Isaiah 33:16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.2 Kings 25:3And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.Job 5:20In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
Historical Context
This imprisonment in the court of the prison (a less harsh confinement) lasted until Jerusalem's fall (38:28). God sustained Jeremiah throughout.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes use unlikely people to accomplish His protective purposes?
- What does Zedekiah's ambivalence teach about the dangers of spiritual indecision?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
King Zedekiah commits Jeremiah to 'the court of the prison' and orders daily bread while available. Despite his fear of officials (38:5), Zedekiah protects Jeremiah from execution. This ambivalence characterizes Zedekiah - drawn to God's prophet but lacking courage to obey. God providentially preserves His servant even through an irresolute king.