Jeremiah 38:1

KJV

¶ 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,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Shephatiah {H8203} the son {H1121} of Mattan {H4977}, and Gedaliah {H1436} the son {H1121} of Pashur {H6583}, and Jucal {H3116} the son {H1121} of Shelemiah {H8018}, and Pashur {H6583} the son {H1121} of Malchiah {H4441}, heard {H8085} the words {H1697} that Jeremiah {H3414} had spoken {H1696} unto all the people {H5971}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

But Sh'fatyah the son of Mattan, G'dalyahu the son of Pash'chur, Yukhal the son of Shelemyahu and Pash'chur the son of Malkiyah heard these words which Yirmeyahu had said to all the people,

Berean Standard Bible

Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard that Jeremiah had been telling all the people:

American Standard Version

And Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah, heard the words that Jeremiah spake unto all the people, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:1 introduces four influential officials—Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashur—who actively listened to the prophet Jeremiah's public pronouncements. This verse serves as a critical narrative pivot, directly preceding Jeremiah's intensified persecution and imprisonment, as these powerful figures, representing the entrenched opposition to God's unpopular message, determined to silence the prophet who dared to speak divine truth concerning Judah's impending judgment and the necessity of surrender to Babylon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the latter part of Jeremiah, a book that chronicles the prophet's ministry during the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, leading up to its destruction by Babylon. Specifically, it follows Jeremiah's previous imprisonment (recounted in [Jeremiah 37](/jeremiah/37 "Jeremiah 37 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment and Zedekiah's Inquiry")) and King Zedekiah's wavering attempts to consult him secretly. Jeremiah 38:1 marks a new escalation in the prophet's suffering, as the officials named here act decisively to suppress his message, leading to his being cast into a cistern. The "words" they heard are Jeremiah's consistent prophecies of Jerusalem's fall and the call for surrender to the Babylonians, a message that was considered treasonous by the ruling elite.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the final siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, likely around 588-586 BC. The city was in a state of desperation, famine, and political turmoil. King Zedekiah, a vassal king installed by Babylon, was weak and indecisive, caught between the demands of his powerful officials who advocated resistance and Jeremiah's divine counsel to surrender. The officials named in this verse were likely prominent members of the royal court, possibly princes or high-ranking advisors, who held significant political and military influence. Their opposition to Jeremiah stemmed from a combination of nationalistic pride, a false sense of security based on Jerusalem's status as the holy city, and a rejection of God's uncomfortable judgment message. Prophetic messages, especially those perceived as undermining national morale, were often met with severe punishment, including imprisonment or death, as seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [1 Kings 22:24-27](/1_kings/22-24 "1 Kings 22:24-27 - Micaiah's Persecution")).
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 38:1 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the **unwavering divine judgment** against Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience, a judgment that necessitates the fall of Jerusalem and exile. Jeremiah's "words" are the articulation of this judgment, and the officials' reaction underscores the human tendency to resist divine truth when it is inconvenient or painful. Secondly, the verse exemplifies the **persecution of God's faithful messengers**. Jeremiah's life is a testament to the suffering endured by those who faithfully proclaim God's word, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. This theme resonates throughout the prophetic literature, where prophets often faced hostility from the very people they were sent to warn (e.g., [Amos 7:10-13](/amos/7-10 "Amos 7:10-13 - Amos's Expulsion from Bethel")). Finally, it underscores the **conflict between human wisdom and divine revelation**. The officials, relying on their political and military strategies, viewed Jeremiah's message as defeatist and treasonous, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness to God's sovereign plan and the true path to survival, which Jeremiah consistently articulated (e.g., [Jeremiah 21:8-9](/jeremiah/21-8 "Jeremiah 21:8-9 - Jeremiah's Counsel to the People")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This word (H8085) implies more than just perceiving sound; it denotes an intelligent hearing, often with the implication of attention, comprehension, and even obedience. In this context, the officials did not merely overhear Jeremiah's words; they "heard" them in a way that led to a conscious decision and subsequent action. Their hearing was deliberate, leading to their opposition, rather than submission, to the divine message.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** The Hebrew term (H1697) is rich in meaning, extending beyond simple utterances to encompass matters, affairs, things, decrees, or even divine pronouncements. Here, Jeremiah's "words" were not mere opinions or political advice, but the very "word of the Lord" (often used in Jeremiah, e.g., [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - The Word of the Lord to Jeremiah")). These were significant, weighty pronouncements concerning the fate of the nation, carrying divine authority and demanding a response.
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root (H1696) signifies to arrange or to speak, often in a declarative or commanding sense. Jeremiah's "speaking" was not casual conversation but a formal, authoritative declaration of God's message "unto all the people," indicating a public and intentional proclamation of truth that these officials could not ignore.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah,":** This clause meticulously lists four prominent individuals, identifying them by their names and patronymics. These were not obscure figures but influential court officials, likely "princes" or high-ranking advisors, who held significant power within King Zedekiah's administration. The repetition of "Pashur" (Pashur son of Gedaliah in [Jeremiah 20:1](/jeremiah/20-1 "Jeremiah 20:1 - Pashur's Persecution of Jeremiah") vs. Pashur son of Malchiah here) indicates different individuals, though both were antagonistic to Jeremiah. Their collective presence underscores the organized and powerful opposition Jeremiah faced.
* **"heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,":** This segment highlights the public nature of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. His message was not whispered in secret but boldly proclaimed "unto all the people," making it impossible for these officials to claim ignorance. The act of "hearing" implies not just passive reception but an active engagement with the content of Jeremiah's message, setting the stage for their subsequent decision to confront and persecute him. The phrase "saying" anticipates the direct quotation of Jeremiah's treasonous-sounding prophecy in the following verses (e.g., [Jeremiah 38:2-3](/jeremiah/38-2 "Jeremiah 38:2-3 - Jeremiah's Prophecy of Surrender")).

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 38:1 employs several literary devices to set the scene and foreshadow the ensuing conflict. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the mere act of these powerful, antagonistic officials "hearing" Jeremiah's words immediately signals impending trouble for the prophet, leading directly to his further imprisonment. The verse also utilizes **Characterization** by listing the names of the officials, implicitly identifying them as the antagonists in the unfolding drama. Their collective presence underscores the formidable opposition Jeremiah faced from the highest echelons of Judahite society. Furthermore, there is a subtle **Irony** at play: those who should have been most attentive to God's word, the leaders of the nation, are precisely those who hear it only to reject it and persecute its messenger, thereby sealing their own fate and that of the city they purport to protect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 38:1 stands as a stark reminder of the perennial conflict between divine truth and human rebellion. The officials' hearing of Jeremiah's words, followed by their immediate action to silence him, illustrates humanity's deep-seated resistance to God's uncomfortable truths, especially when those truths challenge established power structures, national pride, or personal comfort. This resistance is a recurring theme throughout biblical history, where God's messengers are often met with hostility and persecution rather than repentance and obedience. The verse underscores that faithfulness to God's calling often involves enduring significant opposition, yet the ultimate vindication belongs to God and His unwavering word.

* [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jerusalem, Who Kills the Prophets")
* [Acts 7:52](/acts/7-52 "Acts 7:52 - Persecution of the Prophets")
* [Hebrews 11:36-38](/hebrews/11-36 "Hebrews 11:36-38 - The Faith of the Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 38:1 presents a profound challenge for contemporary believers. It compels us to examine our own receptivity to God's word, particularly when it is unpopular, counter-cultural, or personally challenging. Just as the officials in Judah rejected Jeremiah's message because it contradicted their political agenda and nationalistic pride, we too can be tempted to dismiss truths that disrupt our comfort zones or challenge our preconceived notions. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility and discernment, to genuinely "hear" God's word with an open heart, even when it demands surrender or sacrifice. It also serves as a powerful encouragement to those who are called to speak God's truth in a hostile world. Jeremiah's unwavering faithfulness in the face of intense opposition reminds us that obedience to God is paramount, regardless of the cost. Our ultimate vindication comes from God, not from human approval.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you most resistant to hearing uncomfortable truths from God's Word or through His messengers?**
* **How does the example of Jeremiah's perseverance in the face of opposition encourage you in your own walk of faith?**
* **What does it mean to "hear" God's words with an open heart, even when they challenge your personal desires or societal norms?**

### FAQ
**Who were these officials, and why were they significant?**

Answer: The officials named in Jeremiah 38:1—Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashur son of Malchiah—were prominent and influential figures in King Zedekiah's court in Jerusalem. They were likely "princes" or high-ranking advisors, holding significant political and perhaps military power. Their significance lies in their direct opposition to Jeremiah's prophetic message. They represented the prevailing sentiment among the Judahite elite who favored resistance against Babylon and viewed Jeremiah's call for surrender as treasonous and demoralizing. Their actions, spurred by hearing Jeremiah's words, directly led to his further persecution and imprisonment, highlighting their role as key antagonists in the prophet's ministry.

**What "words" had Jeremiah spoken that provoked such a strong reaction?**

Answer: The "words" Jeremiah had spoken were his consistent and unwavering prophecies concerning Jerusalem's imminent fall to the Babylonian army and the divine command for the people to surrender. Specifically, [Jeremiah 38:2-3](/jeremiah/38-2 "Jeremiah 38:2-3 - Jeremiah's Prophecy of Surrender") details the very message that agitated these officials: "He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live. Thus saith the Lord, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it." This message, advocating surrender rather than resistance, was perceived as undermining national morale and was deemed treasonous by the officials, leading them to seek Jeremiah's death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 38:1, depicting the rejection and persecution of God's prophet by the very leaders of His people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah faithfully delivered God's unpopular truth concerning judgment and the path to life, so too did Jesus come proclaiming the truth of God's kingdom, calling His people to repentance and surrender to divine will. Yet, like Jeremiah, He was met with profound hostility from the religious and political authorities of His day. The chief priests and elders "heard" Jesus' words—His teachings, His claims of divinity, His challenges to their traditions—and rather than embracing them, they conspired to silence Him, ultimately leading to His crucifixion (e.g., [Matthew 26:3-4](/matthew/26-3 "Matthew 26:3-4 - The Plot Against Jesus")). The suffering of Jeremiah, a prophet persecuted for speaking God's truth, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ, the true Prophet, Priest, and King, who endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")). His rejection by His own people (as lamented in [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")) paved the way for the ultimate act of redemption, demonstrating that God's truth, though often rejected and leading to suffering for His messengers, ultimately triumphs through the resurrection and establishes the path to eternal life for all who believe.

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

Acts 4:6

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Acts 4:10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Acts 4:1

¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Acts 4:2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 5:28

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Nehemiah 7:9

The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two.

Nehemiah 11:12

And their brethren that did the work of the house [were] eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,