Keraia
Jeremiah 38

Jeremiah 38:6

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

Translations

Modern
So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.
Traditional
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Literal
And they took Jeremiah and cast him into the pit of Malchiah son of the king that was in the court of the guard. And they sent down Jeremiah with the ropes. And in the cistern there was not water, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud.
Latin
Tulerunt ergo Jeremiam, et projecerunt eum in lacum Melchiæ filii Amelech, qui erat in vestibulo carceris: et submiserunt Jeremiam funibus in lacum, in quo non erat aqua, sed lutum: descendit itaque Jeremias in cœnum.

Original

Hebrew
English
So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Notes

Jeremiah 38:6

In front of everyone in the palace courtyard, they threw Jeremiah into an empty cistern. A thick layer of mud at the bottom slowly covered his body.

Jeremiah 38:1–13

Jeremiah could talk to people while in the prison courtyard. He shared the Lord's judgments, which angered some government officials. Zedekiah showed cowardice by allowing these men to put Jeremiah in a muddy cistern. However, the king showed courage when he let a palace servant rescue Jeremiah and bring him back to the palace prison.

Jeremiah 37:1–38:28

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).

Events

People

Hammelech: Father of Jerahmeel and Malchijah (or 'Malchiah'), officials during Jeremiah's time Jeremiah: Son of Hilkiah, the prophet during Judah's final days Malchiah: Son of Pashur, involved in plot against Jeremiah

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Cistern Courts and Trials Ebed-Melech Guard, Courtyard of the Hammelech Jehoiachin Jehucal Malchiah Malchijah Mattan Pashhur, Pashur

Topics

Dungeon in Prisons God in Rescuing Jeremiah Hammelech: Meaning |The King| Imprisonment of Jeremiah Jeremiah: The Prophet: Imprisoned by Zedekiah Persecution of Jeremiah Persecution: Spirit of Zedekiah Prisoners: Cruelty To Prisoners: Jeremiah Prisons: Dungeons Attached To Punishments: Secondary Kinds of Confinement in a Dungeon Rulers: Wicked: And Persecuting Jeremiah Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Imprisons Jeremiah on Account of his Denunciations