Jeremiah 39:12
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
Original Language Analysis
וְעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
him and look well
H5869
וְעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙
him and look well
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
שִׂ֣ים
H7760
שִׂ֣ים
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 17
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
עֲשֵׂ֥ה
but do
H6213
עֲשֵׂ֥ה
but do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְא֣וּמָה
him no harm
H3972
מְא֣וּמָה
him no harm
Strong's:
H3972
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
11 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֣ר
unto him even as he shall say
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֣ר
unto him even as he shall say
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
13 of 17
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Cross References
Proverbs 16:7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.Proverbs 21:1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.Jeremiah 40:4And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
Historical Context
Jeremiah's pro-Babylonian prophecies (27:6-11, 38:17-23) made him valuable to Nebuchadnezzar as a potential stabilizing voice among the remaining population. From a purely political standpoint, protecting someone who had counseled surrender made strategic sense. However, from a theological perspective, God was sovereignly orchestrating events to preserve His prophetic witness through the catastrophe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Babylon's treatment of Jeremiah contrast with Judah's treatment of him, and what does this reveal about religious profession versus reality?
- When has God's protection come from unexpected sources during difficult circumstances?
- How does this passage illustrate Jesus's words that a prophet is without honor in his own country (Matthew 13:57)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Take him, and look well to him (עֵינֶךָ שִׂים עָלָיו, eynekha sim alav)—Literally 'set your eye upon him,' meaning to watch carefully, attend to his needs. The phrase sim ayin denotes protective oversight. Nebuchadnezzar commands what Zedekiah refused—careful attention to Jeremiah's words and welfare.
And do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee (כַּאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ, ka'asher yedabber eleykha)—Complete deference to the prophet's wishes. The pagan king grants Jeremiah authority that Judah's king denied him. God had promised, 'I am with you to deliver you' (1:8, 19)—and His deliverance came through Babylon itself. This recalls how Pharaoh's daughter preserved Moses, and how Cyrus would later facilitate temple rebuilding. God's purposes transcend national boundaries.