Jeremiah 38:20
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
Original Language Analysis
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
But Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
But Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
2 of 16
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּ֑נוּ
They shall not deliver
H5414
יִתֵּ֑נוּ
They shall not deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
4 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שְֽׁמַֽע
thee Obey
H8085
שְֽׁמַֽע
thee Obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָ֣א׀
H4994
נָ֣א׀
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 16
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דֹּבֵ֣ר
which I speak
H1696
דֹּבֵ֣ר
which I speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 16
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְיִ֥יטַב
unto thee so it shall be well
H3190
וְיִ֥יטַב
unto thee so it shall be well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
13 of 16
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
Cross References
Daniel 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.Isaiah 55:3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.Jeremiah 26:13Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.2 Chronicles 20:20And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.Acts 26:29And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Historical Context
This is Jeremiah's final counsel to Zedekiah. The king's refusal to heed it sealed his fate - he was captured, witnessed his sons' execution, then was blinded and exiled.
Questions for Reflection
- What truths from God's word do you struggle to act on due to fear?
- How does Zedekiah's fate warn against knowing God's will but failing to obey?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah privately counsels Zedekiah to obey God's word for his own welfare and life. The condition is clear: obedience brings preservation, disobedience brings destruction. Zedekiah's problem wasn't lack of information but lack of faith to act on revealed truth. Many know God's will but fear consequences of obedience more than consequences of disobedience.