Jeremiah 38:27
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 38:27
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.
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 38 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, discipleship, judgment. 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 illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. 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 38:27
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.
Analysis
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.
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).
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?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter