Jeremiah 38:19

Jeremiah Cast into the Cistern · Jeremiah 38:1–28
Read Jeremiah 38

Translations

Modern
But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for the Chaldeans may deliver me into their hands to abuse me.”
Traditional
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
Literal
And the king Zedekiah said to Jeremiah: “I am afraid of the Jews who have fallen away to the Chaldeans, lest they give me into their hand, and they heap abuse on me.
Latin
Et dixit rex Sedecias ad Jeremiam: Sollicitus sum propter Judæos qui transfugerunt ad Chaldæos, ne forte tradar in manus eorum, et illudant mihi.

Original

Hebrew
English
But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for the Chaldeans may deliver me into their hands to abuse me.”

Notes

Zedekiah feared his fellow countrymen who had defected more than he feared the Lord or the Babylonians. Therefore, he ignored Jeremiah's advice. This was Jeremiah's final message to the king.

The focus now returns to Zedekiah, who became king of Judah after his nephew Jehoiachin. These chapters describe meetings between Zedekiah and Jeremiah, highlighting Zedekiah’s struggle to fully commit to God's word (compare Deuteronomy 10:12–13). Zedekiah is a classic example of a person with divided loyalty (James 1:6–8).

Theme notes and profiles

Jeremiah God Protects His Servant Persecution

Events

People

Jeremiah: Son of Hilkiah, the prophet during Judah's final days Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Zedekiah: Last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile

Places

Chaldea: Ancient Mesopotamian empire; known for astrology and wisdom

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Courts and Trials Guard, Courtyard of the Jehoiachin

Topics

King: Influenced by Popular Opinion: Zedekiah Prisoners: Jeremiah Prisoners: Kindness To by the Prison Guard to Jeremiah Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar by Jeremiah Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Imprisons Jeremiah on Account of his Denunciations Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Seeks the Intercession of Jeremiah with God on his Behalf Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: The Evil Reign of