Jeremiah 38:16
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 38:16
16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 38 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of holiness, faith, obedience. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-28: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 38:16
16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
Analysis
So Zedekiah the king sware secretly (נִשְׁבַּע בַּסֵּתֶר)—The king took an oath secretly, revealing his moral cowardice. He feared his own officials more than God, so he met Jeremiah in private rather than publicly honoring God's prophet. The verb shaba (שָׁבַע, "to swear") invokes the most solemn form of commitment in Hebrew culture.
As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul—Zedekiah swore by Yahweh as the Creator of nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ, "soul/life"). The irony is profound: he invoked the God whose word he continually rejected, and appealed to God's life-giving power while refusing the life-saving counsel God offered through Jeremiah. This oath acknowledges God's sovereignty while planning to disobey His explicit command—a contradiction epitomizing Zedekiah's spiritual schizophrenia.
Historical Context
Oath-taking by God's name was the most binding form of commitment in ancient Israel (Leviticus 19:12). That Zedekiah made this oath "secretly" shows he feared his anti-Jeremiah officials (particularly those who had just thrown the prophet into a cistern) more than he feared breaking covenant with Yahweh.
Reflection
- What does it reveal about Zedekiah's character that he swears by God privately but won't obey Him publicly?
- How do we similarly compartmentalize faith—acknowledging God in some areas while excluding Him from others?
- Why might Zedekiah fear his officials more than the God by whose name he swears?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Kingdom: Jeremiah 37:17
- References Lord: Numbers 27:16, Zechariah 12:1
- Creation: Isaiah 57:16
- Parallel theme: Jeremiah 34:20, Numbers 16:22, John 3:2