Jeremiah 39:14
Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ֩
Even they sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלְחוּ֩
Even they sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 20
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וַיִּקְח֨וּ
and took
H3947
וַיִּקְח֨וּ
and took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
2 of 20
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִרְמְיָ֜הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֜הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
4 of 20
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
מֵחֲצַ֣ר
out of the court
H2691
מֵחֲצַ֣ר
out of the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
5 of 20
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
הַמַּטָּרָ֗ה
of the prison
H4307
הַמַּטָּרָ֗ה
of the prison
Strong's:
H4307
Word #:
6 of 20
a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and committed
H5414
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ
and committed
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙
him unto Gedaliah
H1436
גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙
him unto Gedaliah
Strong's:
H1436
Word #:
10 of 20
gedaljah, the name of five israelites
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֔ן
of Shaphan
H8227
שָׁפָ֔ן
of Shaphan
Strong's:
H8227
Word #:
14 of 20
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
לְהוֹצִאֵ֖הוּ
that he should carry
H3318
לְהוֹצִאֵ֖הוּ
that he should carry
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַבָּ֑יִת
him home
H1004
הַבָּ֑יִת
him home
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב
so he dwelt
H3427
וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב
so he dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:28So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.Jeremiah 26:24Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.2 Kings 22:12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
Historical Context
Gedaliah's appointment as governor represented Babylonian policy of using local administrators from cooperative noble families. His grandfather Shaphan had been Josiah's secretary during the great reformation (2 Kings 22-23). The family's reformist credentials and Jeremiah-friendly stance made Gedaliah politically suitable. Jeremiah's choice to remain with the impoverished remnant rather than accept probable honors in Babylon demonstrates his genuine prophetic calling.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jeremiah's release from prison by conquerors illustrate that vindication comes from God, not human systems?
- What does Jeremiah's choice to dwell among the suffering remnant teach about faithful ministry in crisis?
- How does Gedaliah's family's multi-generational faithfulness demonstrate the importance of godly legacy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison (מֵחֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה, mechatzar hamattarah)—The 'court of the guard/prison' where Zedekiah had confined him (37:21, 38:6-13) becomes his place of liberation. Imprisoned by his own people for prophesying truth, freed by pagans who conquered because of that truth—profound irony. The verb laqach (לָקַח, 'took') suggests decisive removal from confinement.
And committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home (הַבַּיְתָה, habbaytah)—Gedaliah (appointed Babylonian governor, 40:5) came from a family friendly to Jeremiah—Ahikam had protected him from execution (26:24), and Shaphan had read the law scroll to Josiah (2 Kings 22:8-10). God provided covenant-community care even amid judgment. So he dwelt among the people (בְּתוֹךְ הָעָם, betokh ha'am)—Jeremiah remained with the remnant rather than enjoying Babylonian luxury, embodying the shepherd-prophet who stays with the afflicted flock.