Jeremiah 37:21

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Jeremiah 37:21 describes a pivotal moment in the prophet Jeremiah's life during the siege of Jerusalem, showcasing King Zedekiah's conflicted response to God's message.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Jerusalem's final days before its destruction by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah had consistently prophesied the city's fall and urged submission to Babylon, a message deeply unpopular with the king's officials and the people. Earlier in this chapter, Jeremiah had been arrested on false charges of desertion (Jeremiah 37:15) and thrown into a house of detention. King Zedekiah, despite his fear of the Babylonians and his advisors, secretly sought Jeremiah's counsel, revealing a partial acknowledgement of Jeremiah's divine authority. This verse details Zedekiah's compromise: he would not fully release Jeremiah, but he would move him to a less harsh confinement and ensure his basic needs were met.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Provision: Even in imprisonment during a severe siege leading to famine, God ensures Jeremiah's survival. The daily ration of bread from the "bakers' street" highlights God's meticulous care, providing for His servant in the midst of extreme scarcity, until "all the bread in the city were spent." This illustrates God's faithfulness to His people, even in dire circumstances.
  • King Zedekiah's Indecision: Zedekiah's command reflects his wavering character. He was caught between obeying God's unpopular word through Jeremiah and appeasing his fearful and rebellious officials. His decision to move Jeremiah to the "court of the prison" (likely a more open area within the palace grounds or a milder form of detention compared to a dungeon) and provide food shows a measure of respect and fear of God, yet it falls short of full obedience to Jeremiah's prophetic warnings concerning the city's fate (Jeremiah 38:20).
  • Jeremiah's Steadfastness: Despite repeated arrests, suffering, and unpopularity, Jeremiah remains faithful to his prophetic calling. His continued presence in Jerusalem, even while imprisoned, underscores his unwavering commitment to delivering God's message, regardless of personal cost.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "court of the prison" (Hebrew: ḥaṣer ham-maṭṭārâ) refers to the courtyard or guardhouse, often a more open and less severe place of confinement than a dungeon or pit. This contrasts with the later, more dire imprisonment in the miry cistern mentioned in Jeremiah 38:6. The "bakers' street" (Hebrew: ḥuṣ hā’ōp̄îm) indicates a specific commercial area where bakers operated, suggesting a public, perhaps even regulated, source of food, emphasizing the king's specific, if reluctant, provision.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:21 offers several timeless lessons. Firstly, it reminds us that God provides for His faithful servants, even in the most challenging and restrictive environments. Even when circumstances seem bleak and resources scarce, we can trust in God's daily provision and care, much like the prayer for daily bread. Secondly, it highlights the internal conflict many face between conviction and convenience; Zedekiah's partial obedience ultimately led to his downfall. Finally, Jeremiah's perseverance in his calling, despite imprisonment and opposition, serves as an inspiring example of faithful endurance for those who stand for truth in difficult times.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 38:13 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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.