Jeremiah 38:4
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
Original Language Analysis
הַשָּׂרִ֜ים
Therefore the princes
H8269
הַשָּׂרִ֜ים
Therefore the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
2 of 40
a head person (of any rank or class)
י֣וּמַת
be put to death
H4191
י֣וּמַת
be put to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 40
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
נָא֮
H4994
נָא֮
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 40
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 40
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 40
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַזֶּה֒
H2088
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 40
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 40
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֡ן
for thus
H3651
כֵּ֡ן
for thus
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
12 of 40
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
הֽוּא
H1931
הֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 40
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מְרַפֵּ֡א
he weakeneth
H7503
מְרַפֵּ֡א
he weakeneth
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
14 of 40
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 40
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְדֵ֣י
and the hands
H3027
יְדֵ֣י
and the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 40
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
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 40
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה
of war
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
18 of 40
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים׀
that remain
H7604
הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים׀
that remain
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
19 of 40
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
בָּעִ֣יר
in this city
H5892
בָּעִ֣יר
in this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
20 of 40
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 40
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְדֵ֣י
and the hands
H3027
יְדֵ֣י
and the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
23 of 40
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
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
24 of 40
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לָעָ֥ם
of all the people
H5971
לָעָ֥ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
25 of 40
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְדַבֵּ֣ר
in speaking
H1696
לְדַבֵּ֣ר
in speaking
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
26 of 40
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים
such words
H1697
כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים
such words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
28 of 40
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
30 of 40
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
We beseech thee let this man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
31 of 40
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַזֶּ֗ה
H2088
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ
H369
דֹרֵ֧שׁ
seeketh
H1875
דֹרֵ֧שׁ
seeketh
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
34 of 40
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
לְשָׁל֛וֹם
not the welfare
H7965
לְשָׁל֛וֹם
not the welfare
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
35 of 40
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
לָעָ֥ם
of all the people
H5971
לָעָ֥ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
36 of 40
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
38 of 40
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Jeremiah 26:11Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.Acts 16:20And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,Jeremiah 29:7And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.Nehemiah 6:9For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.Exodus 5:4And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Beth-el sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.1 Kings 21:20And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.
Historical Context
This accusation led to Jeremiah being thrown into a muddy cistern to die. Prophetic ministry often appears disloyal to earthly kingdoms while serving the heavenly kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- When has speaking God's truth been perceived as disloyalty or harmful?
- How do you navigate the tension between patriotism and prophetic witness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The officials' accusation that Jeremiah 'weakeneth the hands' of soldiers and people charges him with treason. From their perspective, prophesying surrender undermines morale and national defense. Yet Jeremiah seeks the people's welfare (shalom) by calling them to submit to God's will rather than resist it. Sometimes God's welfare differs from worldly prosperity. Truth-telling may appear to harm the cause while actually serving it.