Jeremiah 37:13

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward [was] there, whose name [was] Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.

And when he was in the gate {H8179} of Benjamin {H1144}, a captain {H1167} of the ward {H6488} was there, whose name {H8034} was Irijah {H3376}, the son {H1121} of Shelemiah {H8018}, the son {H1121} of Hananiah {H2608}; and he took {H8610} Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030}, saying {H559}, Thou fallest away {H5307} to the Chaldeans {H3778}.

and had reached the gate leading toward Binyamin when a guard commander there named Yir'iyah the son of Shelemyah, the son of Hananyah, seized Yirmeyahu the prophet, shouting, "You're deserting to the Kasdim!"

But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized him and said, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans!”

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he laid hold on Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou art falling away to the Chaldeans.

Jeremiah 37:13 recounts a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's life, highlighting the intense opposition he faced during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah.

Context

This verse takes place during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. King Zedekiah was on the throne, and the city was under immense pressure. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," had consistently delivered God's unpopular message: that Judah should surrender to the Babylonians because their captivity was divine judgment for their sins. This message was deeply offensive to the nationalistic leaders and people who believed God would protect Jerusalem regardless of their actions. Just before this incident, the Babylonian army had temporarily withdrawn due to the approach of Pharaoh's army from Egypt (Jeremiah 37:5). During this brief respite, Jeremiah attempted to leave Jerusalem to go to his hometown of Anathoth in Benjamin to claim an inheritance (Jeremiah 37:12). As he was passing through the Gate of Benjamin, a crucial northern gate of the city, he was intercepted by Irijah, a captain of the guard.

Key Themes

  • Persecution of the Prophet: Jeremiah's life was marked by constant suffering and opposition because he faithfully delivered God's word, even when it was unpopular. This verse is a stark example of his persecution, leading directly to his imprisonment (Jeremiah 37:15).
  • False Accusations: Irijah's accusation, "Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans," was a serious charge of treason. Jeremiah was not deserting; he was obeying God's command to declare the Babylonians as God's instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 21:9). This highlights the common fate of prophets who speak truth to power, often being misunderstood or maligned.
  • The Cost of Faithfulness: Jeremiah's unwavering obedience to God's difficult message resulted in physical restraint and public disgrace, rather than honor. His experience serves as a powerful reminder that following God's will may sometimes lead to conflict with worldly authorities or popular opinion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fallest away" (from the Hebrew root נָפַל, naphal) carries the strong connotation of desertion, defection, or abandonment. In this context, it implies a deliberate act of treason, suggesting Jeremiah was defecting to the enemy Babylonian (Chaldean) side. This grave accusation reflects the intense fear and suspicion prevalent in Jerusalem during the siege, where any perceived sympathy for the enemy was met with severe punishment.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:13 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Standing for Truth: Like Jeremiah, we may be called to uphold unpopular truths, even when it brings us into conflict with prevailing societal norms or powerful figures.
  • Dealing with Misunderstanding: Faithfulness to God's call can often lead to misunderstanding, false accusations, or ostracization from others. We are reminded that our ultimate vindication comes from God, not from human approval.
  • The Nature of Persecution: This verse illustrates that persecution for righteousness' sake is not always overt violence but can come in the form of slander, false charges, and imprisonment, echoing the experiences of many biblical figures and believers throughout history (Matthew 5:11-12).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 14:10

    All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and [from] the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.

  • Jeremiah 38:7

    Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;

  • Jeremiah 21:9

    He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

  • Acts 24:13

    Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

  • Jeremiah 38:1

    ¶ Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,

  • Luke 23:2

    And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

  • Acts 6:11

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

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