Jeremiah 32:3

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

For Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} had shut him up {H3607}, saying {H559}, Wherefore dost thou prophesy {H5012}, and say {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will give {H5414} this city {H5892} into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and he shall take {H3920} it;

where Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah had imprisoned him after demanding, "How dare you prophesy that ADONAI says, 'I will hand this city over to the king of Bavel, and he will capture it;

For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Commentary

Jeremiah 32:3 provides the immediate context for why the prophet Jeremiah was imprisoned by King Zedekiah. This verse is set during a critical and tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army.

Context

At the time of this verse, Jeremiah was confined to the court of the guard in the king's palace (as indicated in Jeremiah 32:2). King Zedekiah, the last reigning monarch of Judah, had ordered Jeremiah's arrest. The reason for this imprisonment was Jeremiah's consistent and unwavering prophecy that Jerusalem would fall into the hands of the king of Babylon. This message was highly unpopular, as it contradicted the more optimistic, but ultimately false, prophecies circulating among the people and the court. Zedekiah's act of shutting up Jeremiah was a desperate attempt to silence a voice that spoke of divine judgment and the inevitable consequences of Judah's rebellion against God.

Key Themes

  • Unpopular Truth vs. Convenient Lies: King Zedekiah's decision to imprison Jeremiah illustrates the human tendency to reject uncomfortable truths, especially when they challenge political stability or personal comfort. Jeremiah's message was a direct word from the LORD, but it was viewed as defeatist and treasonous by the king and many officials.
  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The phrase "Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon" clearly states that the impending destruction of Jerusalem was not a random military defeat but a deliberate act of God's judgment. God Himself was orchestrating these events, using Babylon as His instrument.
  • Persecution of True Prophets: Jeremiah's experience is a poignant example of the persecution faced by those who faithfully deliver God's message, especially when that message is unwelcome. His commitment to speaking God's word, regardless of personal cost, stands out. He had faced similar opposition throughout his ministry.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The prophecy itself underscores the grave consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian captivity were the culmination of centuries of turning away from the LORD.

Linguistic Insights

The emphatic declaration, "Thus saith the LORD" (Hebrew: Koh Amar Yahweh), preceding Jeremiah's prophetic message, highlights the divine origin and authority of his words. This phrase was a standard prophetic formula, signifying that the prophet was not speaking his own opinions but delivering a direct revelation from God. It underscores the profound responsibility of the prophet and the absolute certainty of the message, regardless of human resistance.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 32:3 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Embrace Truth, Even When Unpopular: We are called to embrace and proclaim God's truth, even if it is challenging or goes against prevailing opinions. The world often prefers comforting falsehoods to convicting truths.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Even in times of chaos, judgment, or personal difficulty, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign. He is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals, working out His purposes. This perspective can bring peace amidst turmoil, knowing that God is in control.
  • Stand Firm in Faith: Jeremiah's unwavering commitment despite imprisonment encourages us to stand firm in our faith and obedience to God, even when facing opposition or persecution for our beliefs. Just as Jeremiah's prophecy was ultimately vindicated, God's word will always prevail. His power is limitless.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 34:2

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:

  • Jeremiah 34:3

    And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 21:4

    Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

  • Jeremiah 21:7

    And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

  • Jeremiah 26:8

    Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded [him] to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.

  • Jeremiah 26:9

    Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 32:28

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:
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