Jeremiah 38:19
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
unto Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
unto Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 19
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים
of the Jews
H3064
הַיְּהוּדִ֗ים
of the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
9 of 19
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽפְלוּ֙
that are fallen
H5307
נָֽפְלוּ֙
that are fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
11 of 19
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
to the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
to the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
13 of 19
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
פֶּֽן
H6435
פֶּֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִתְּנ֥וּ
lest they deliver
H5414
יִתְּנ֥וּ
lest they deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתִ֛י
H853
אֹתִ֛י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיָדָ֖ם
me into their hand
H3027
בְּיָדָ֖ם
me into their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
17 of 19
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
John 12:42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:Isaiah 57:11And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?Jeremiah 38:22And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.Jeremiah 39:9Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.1 Samuel 31:4Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
Historical Context
Some Jews had already surrendered to Babylon, following Jeremiah's advice (38:2). These defectors represented a humiliating rebuke to Zedekiah's resistance policy. In honor-shame cultures like ancient Judah, a king's loss of face before subjects—especially "traitors"—was considered unbearable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fear of man prove to be a snare (Proverbs 29:25) in Zedekiah's decision?
- What imagined consequences do we allow to prevent obedience to God's clear commands?
- How might Zedekiah's story have differed if he had feared God more than public opinion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans—Zedekiah's confession reveals his character: he feared defectors' mockery more than God's judgment. The verb yare (יָרֵא, "to fear") shows misplaced reverence. He should have feared (yare) Yahweh (Proverbs 9:10), but instead he feared (yare) public humiliation.
Lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me—The verb alal (עָלַל, "to mock/abuse") suggests more than verbal taunting—possibly physical mistreatment. Zedekiah's pride couldn't bear the thought of Judean defectors saying "I told you so." This fear of shame proved fatal: his actual fate (eyes gouged out after watching his sons executed, 39:6-7) was infinitely worse than any mockery he imagined. By fearing man rather than God, he guaranteed the very disaster he sought to avoid.