Jeremiah 37:21

KJV

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Zedekiah {H6667} the king {H4428} commanded {H6680} that they should commit {H6485} Jeremiah {H3414} into the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}, and that they should give {H5414} him daily {H3117} a piece {H3603} of bread {H3899} out of the bakers {H644}' street {H2351}, until all the bread {H3899} in the city {H5892} were spent {H8552}. Thus Jeremiah {H3414} remained {H3427} in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At that, Tzidkiyahu the king gave the order, at which they committed Yirmeyahu to the guards' quarters and gave him daily a loaf of bread from the Bakers' Street, until all the bread in the city had been used up. Thus Yirmeyahu remained in the guards' quarters.

Berean Standard Bible

So King Zedekiah gave orders for Jeremiah to be placed in the courtyard of the guard and given a loaf of bread daily from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

American Standard Version

Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard; and they gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city was spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 37:21 marks a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's arduous ministry during the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, revealing King Zedekiah's complex and conflicted response to the unwavering divine word. Despite having previously subjected Jeremiah to a harsh dungeon, the king, driven by a mixture of fear, political pressure, and a reluctant acknowledgment of Jeremiah's prophetic authority, commanded his transfer to the more lenient "court of the prison." Furthermore, Zedekiah ensured Jeremiah's daily provision of bread from the city's dwindling reserves, an act of vital sustenance amidst the escalating famine, until the very last morsel was spent. This verse powerfully encapsulates God's faithful provision for His persecuted servant and underscores the tragic indecision that characterized Zedekiah's reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a dramatic and tragic section of the book of Jeremiah, specifically chapter 37, which chronicles the prophet's suffering and the final, desperate stages of Jerusalem's demise. Immediately preceding this verse, Jeremiah had been unjustly arrested on a false charge of desertion to the Babylonians and subsequently imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the scribe, a harsh and life-threatening dungeon ([Jeremiah 37:15](/jeremiah/37-15 "Jeremiah 37:15 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment in Jonathan's House")). King Zedekiah, despite his public posturing and fear of his powerful officials, secretly sought Jeremiah's counsel, demonstrating his internal struggle and a reluctant recognition of the prophet's divine authority ([Jeremiah 37:17](/jeremiah/37-17 "Jeremiah 37:17 - Zedekiah's Secret Inquiry to Jeremiah")). Jeremiah's desperate plea for release from the dungeon, where he feared death, directly prompts Zedekiah's compromise in verse 21. This act of transferring Jeremiah to the "court of the prison" and providing him with daily bread is a direct consequence of that secret consultation and Jeremiah's appeal, representing a temporary alleviation of his suffering before his later, more severe imprisonment in the miry cistern ([Jeremiah 38:6](/jeremiah/38-6 "Jeremiah 38:6 - Jeremiah Cast into the Cistern")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 37:21 unfold during the climactic final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, which commenced around 588 BCE. The city was under immense duress, experiencing severe famine as resources dwindled—a common and devastating consequence of prolonged sieges in the ancient Near East. King Zedekiah, installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation, was caught in an impossible position between the powerful pro-Egypt faction within his court, who advocated for resistance against Babylon, and the prophetic word of Jeremiah, who consistently urged submission as God's decreed will. The "court of the prison" (Hebrew: _châtsêr ham-maṭṭârâʼ_) was likely a more open, less severe form of detention within the royal palace complex or a designated guardhouse, often used for political prisoners or those awaiting judgment, in stark contrast to the deep, dark dungeons or cisterns. The "bakers' street" (Hebrew: _chûwts ha'ôphîm_) denotes a specific commercial district or thoroughfare where bakers conducted their business, indicating a public source of food and highlighting the king's specific, if grudging, provision for Jeremiah amidst the city's rapidly deteriorating conditions.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Provision**, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His faithful servant even amidst a devastating siege and famine, ensuring Jeremiah's survival against all odds. This echoes the broader biblical theme of God sustaining His people, even in the wilderness or under duress, as seen in the provision of manna for Israel ([Exodus 16:35](/exodus/16-35 "Exodus 16:35 - Manna for Forty Years")). Secondly, it vividly portrays **King Zedekiah's Indecision and Compromise**, a recurring motif in his tragic reign. His actions reflect a man torn between the fear of God's word and the fear of his officials, ultimately leading to a fatal wavering that sealed Jerusalem's fate, as seen in his later refusal to fully heed Jeremiah's counsel ([Jeremiah 38:20](/jeremiah/38-20 "Jeremiah 38:20 - Jeremiah's Final Plea to Zedekiah")). Thirdly, it underscores **Jeremiah's Steadfastness and Suffering for Truth**. Despite repeated arrests, physical hardship, and profound unpopularity, Jeremiah remains unwavering in his prophetic calling, continuing to deliver God's unpopular message regardless of personal cost, embodying the suffering servant motif that foreshadows later biblical figures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **court (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** From H2691, meaning "a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls); court, tower, village." In this context, it refers to an enclosed area, likely within the royal palace or a designated guardhouse, which served as a place of confinement. The shift from a deep dungeon to a "court" suggests a more open, possibly less severe, form of imprisonment, offering a measure of relief and indicating that Jeremiah was still under state control but in a comparatively better environment.
* **daily (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** From H3117, meaning "a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day..." This term emphasizes the consistent and regular nature of the provision. The king's command for a "daily" piece of bread highlights the ongoing, sustained nature of God's provision for Jeremiah, even in the face of dwindling city resources and an escalating famine.
* **remained (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, a primitive root meaning "properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry." Here, it signifies Jeremiah's continued presence and dwelling in the court of the prison. This word emphasizes Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to his prophetic ministry, even in confinement, and God's protective hand ensuring his survival and continued witness within the besieged city.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Zedekiah the king commanded":** This clause establishes the king's direct authority and agency in the matter, highlighting that this decision was a royal decree. However, it also subtly hints at his conflicted will, as Zedekiah is acting under duress—both from the external siege and from his internal struggle with Jeremiah's prophecies and the demands of his powerful officials. His command is a direct response to Jeremiah's plea and his own secret consultation with the prophet.
* **"that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison":** This specifies the new, improved location of Jeremiah's confinement. Moving him from the house of Jonathan the scribe (a harsh and life-threatening dungeon) to the "court of the prison" represents a significant, albeit limited, act of leniency and protection on Zedekiah's part. It suggests a more humane, perhaps even politically motivated, form of detention, allowing Jeremiah to survive conditions that would have killed him elsewhere.
* **"and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street":** This details the specific provision for Jeremiah. The "piece of bread" (Hebrew: _kikkâr lechem_, H3603, H3899) implies a standard, perhaps round, loaf or portion. Sourcing it from the "bakers' street" (H2351, H644) indicates a public, established place of commerce, suggesting that even as the city starved, some form of public food distribution or sale was still occurring, albeit diminishing. The "daily" provision underscores God's consistent and faithful care for His prophet.
* **"until all the bread in the city were spent":** This crucial phrase sets the duration and grim context of the provision. It highlights the extreme severity of the siege and the impending famine, emphasizing that Jeremiah's sustenance was contingent upon the city's rapidly dwindling resources. This foreshadows the ultimate and inevitable fall of Jerusalem due to starvation and conquest, as the city's ability to sustain itself completely collapses.
* **"Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison":** This concluding statement confirms the immediate outcome and the ongoing reality of the king's command. Jeremiah's continued presence in Jerusalem, though imprisoned, underscores his unwavering commitment to his prophetic ministry and God's protective hand over him, ensuring his survival and continued witness within the besieged city until its ultimate fall.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 37:21 employs several potent literary devices that deepen its meaning and impact. There is a strong sense of **Irony** in Zedekiah's actions: the king, who should be leading his people in repentance and obedience to God's word, instead imprisons the very prophet who delivers that word. Yet, out of fear and a grudging respect, he also provides for the prophet's survival, demonstrating his conflicted and ultimately tragic character. The phrase "until all the bread in the city were spent" functions as a powerful piece of **Foreshadowing**, grimly predicting the complete and utter destitution that would befall Jerusalem, leading directly to its fall and the subsequent conquest. The "bread" itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not just physical sustenance but also God's faithful and miraculous provision for His chosen one, even in the midst of societal collapse and famine. The "court of the prison" also carries symbolic weight, representing Jeremiah's confinement and the rejection he faced, but paradoxically, also a measure of God's protection, keeping him alive and relatively safer than he would have been in the general population during the final, brutal stages of the siege.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 37:21 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign care for His servants, even when they are persecuted for speaking His truth. Despite the king's wavering and the city's impending doom, God ensures Jeremiah's sustenance, highlighting that divine providence is not contingent on human circumstances or political will, but on God's unchanging faithfulness. This passage also serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of indecisive leadership and the spiritual danger of compromising divine truth for political expediency or popular approval. Zedekiah's partial obedience—moving Jeremiah to a less harsh prison and providing food—ultimately proved insufficient to avert the judgment on Jerusalem, underscoring that God demands full obedience, not just convenient concessions. Jeremiah's steadfastness in suffering, enduring imprisonment for his prophetic message, exemplifies the costly nature of faithfulness and the unwavering commitment required to stand for God's word in a hostile world, trusting in God's ultimate vindication.

* [Psalm 37:25](/psalms/37-25 "Psalm 37:25 - God's Care for the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - When the Righteous Rule, the People Rejoice")
* [Matthew 5:12](/matthew/5-12 "Matthew 5:12 - Rejoice When Persecuted for Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 37:21 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers facing various forms of adversity and ethical dilemmas. Firstly, it serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering provision. Even when human systems fail, when famine looms, and when one is unjustly imprisoned, God can and will sustain His faithful. This should encourage us to trust in God's daily care, knowing that He is meticulously attentive to the needs of those who serve Him, even in the most dire circumstances. It reminds us that our security is ultimately found in God's faithfulness, not in the stability of our surroundings. Secondly, King Zedekiah's tragic indecision provides a cautionary tale. His fear of man outweighed his fear of God, leading to a series of compromises that ultimately sealed his and his kingdom's fate. We are challenged to examine our own lives: where do we compromise truth for convenience, popularity, or fear? Do we fully obey God's word, even when it is unpopular or costly, or do we seek partial obedience that ultimately falls short? Finally, Jeremiah's steadfastness in suffering is a compelling model of endurance. He continued to bear witness to God's truth, even from a prison cell, demonstrating that our circumstances do not negate our calling. We are called to faithfulness, regardless of the opposition or personal cost, trusting that God's purposes will prevail and that He will sustain us through it all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to compromise God's truth for personal comfort or approval, much like King Zedekiah?**
* **How does Jeremiah's experience of God's provision in prison encourage you to trust God for your daily needs, especially in times of scarcity or uncertainty?**
* **What unpopular truths might God be calling you to speak or live out, even if it means facing opposition or personal cost?**

### FAQ
**Why did Zedekiah imprison Jeremiah if he sought his counsel?**

Answer: King Zedekiah was a weak and indecisive ruler, caught between the powerful, anti-Babylonian factions in his court and the unpopular, pro-Babylonian prophecies of Jeremiah. He recognized Jeremiah's divine authority, as evidenced by his secret consultations ([Jeremiah 37:17](/jeremiah/37-17 "Jeremiah 37:17 - Zedekiah's Secret Inquiry to Jeremiah")), but he lacked the courage to fully obey God's word or stand against his officials. Jeremiah had initially been imprisoned on false charges of desertion ([Jeremiah 37:13](/jeremiah/37-13 "Jeremiah 37:13 - Jeremiah Accused of Desertion")) and thrown into a harsh dungeon. Zedekiah's command in Jeremiah 37:21 was a compromise: he moved Jeremiah to a less severe "court of the prison" and provided food, alleviating his suffering without fully releasing him or publicly endorsing his message, thus appeasing both his conscience and his powerful, anti-Babylonian officials.

**What was the significance of the "bakers' street" as a source of bread?**

Answer: The "bakers' street" (Hebrew: _chûwts ha'ôphîm_) refers to a specific commercial area in Jerusalem where bakers operated. Its mention signifies that even during the severe siege, there was still some form of public food distribution or sale, albeit dwindling. The fact that the king specified this source suggests a regulated or known place for obtaining provisions. It highlights the meticulous nature of Zedekiah's (and by extension, God's) provision for Jeremiah—it wasn't just any bread, but bread from a specific, reliable source, emphasizing the daily, consistent nature of this sustenance until the city's resources were completely exhausted ([Jeremiah 37:21](/jeremiah/37-21 "Jeremiah 37:21 - Jeremiah's Daily Bread")). This detail underscores the dire circumstances of the siege while simultaneously affirming God's precise care for His prophet.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 37:21, while detailing the prophet's earthly suffering and divine provision, powerfully foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, the prophet who faithfully proclaimed God's unpopular truth and suffered imprisonment for it, stands as a profound type of the ultimate Suffering Servant. Just as Jeremiah was confined and rejected by his own people for speaking God's word concerning judgment and salvation ([Jeremiah 20:2](/jeremiah/20-2 "Jeremiah 20:2 - Pashhur Strikes Jeremiah")), so too was Jesus, the Word made flesh, rejected by His own ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). The provision of "daily bread" for Jeremiah in his confinement points to God's ultimate provision in Christ, who declared Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the spiritual sustenance that truly satisfies and grants eternal life, even when earthly provisions fail. King Zedekiah's indecision and partial obedience, which ultimately led to his downfall, highlight humanity's perpetual struggle with fully embracing God's will; this struggle culminates in the world's rejection of Christ, who came to set captives free but was Himself bound ([Matthew 27:2](/matthew/27-2 "Matthew 27:2 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate")) and ultimately crucified. Jeremiah's endurance in the "court of the prison" until the city's resources were spent mirrors Christ's willing submission to the cross and tomb, enduring to the very end before His resurrection broke the bonds of death and brought forth new life and an inexhaustible supply of grace ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection")). Thus, Jeremiah's experience, marked by suffering, divine sustenance, and steadfastness, serves as a poignant Old Testament echo of the greater suffering, ultimate provision, and triumphant faithfulness found in Jesus Christ, the one who truly fulfills all prophecy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 38:13

So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 38:28

So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was [there] when Jerusalem was taken.

Jeremiah 38:9

My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

Jeremiah 32:2

For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.

Jeremiah 52:6

And in the fourth month, in the ninth [day] of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.

Isaiah 33:16

He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.

2 Kings 25:3

And on the ninth [day] of the [fourth] month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.