Jeremiah 38:27
Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ
Then came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ
Then came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
unto Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
unto Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 21
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ
and asked
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאֲל֣וּ
and asked
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
6 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אֹת֔וֹ
H853
אֹת֔וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד
him and he told
H5046
וַיַּגֵּ֤ד
him and he told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
כְּכָל
H3605
כְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָֽר׃
them according to all these words
H1697
הַדָּבָֽר׃
them according to all these words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וַיַּחֲרִ֣שׁוּ
So they left off speaking
H2790
וַיַּחֲרִ֣שׁוּ
So they left off speaking
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
16 of 21
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
This interrogation likely occurred shortly after the private meeting, while Jeremiah was still confined to the court of the guard (38:28). The princes' acceptance of the cover story bought temporary peace but changed nothing substantively—Zedekiah had already decided against surrender, and these officials supported that decision. Within months, Babylon would breach Jerusalem's walls (39:1-3).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the princes' acceptance of the cover story reveal about how close Judah came to the truth that might have saved them?
- How does successful deception sometimes enable continued disobedience by removing pressure to make hard choices?
- What might have happened if Zedekiah had instead publicly declared God's message through Jeremiah, risking his officials' anger?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him—The suspicious officials interrogated the prophet, exactly as Zedekiah feared. Their questioning confirms the political danger surrounding any counsel of surrender. And he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded—Jeremiah repeated the cover story verbatim. The phrase according to all these words (כְּכָל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) emphasizes exact compliance with Zedekiah's instructions.
So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived—The deception succeeded. The verb shama (שָׁמַע, "to hear/perceive") appears in the Niphal (passive) stem: the truth was not heard/discovered. Yet this "success" only postponed disaster. Zedekiah's successful concealment of God's ultimatum meant he never had to publicly reject it—he simply ignored it privately, leading to Jerusalem's destruction exactly as prophesied.