Jeremiah 38:16

KJV

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, [As] the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Zedekiah {H6667} the king {H4428} sware {H7650} secretly {H5643} unto Jeremiah {H3414}, saying {H559}, As the LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}, that made {H6213} us this soul {H5315}, I will not put thee to death {H4191}, neither will I give {H5414} thee into the hand {H3027} of these men {H582} that seek {H1245} thy life {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Tzidkiyahu swore secretly to Yirmeyahu, "As ADONAI lives, who gave us our lives, I will not put you to death; nor will I hand you over to these men who want you put to death."

Berean Standard Bible

But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.”

American Standard Version

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As Jehovah liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:16 records a crucial, clandestine oath made by King Zedekiah to the prophet Jeremiah during the final, desperate days of Jerusalem's siege by Babylon. In this private encounter, the indecisive king, caught between the divine counsel delivered by Jeremiah and the intense pressure from his anti-prophet officials, solemnly swears by the living God, the Creator of life, that he will neither execute Jeremiah nor surrender him to those who seek his death. This verse encapsulates Zedekiah's profound internal conflict, his recognition of Jeremiah's divine authority, and his tragic inability to act decisively on God's word due to fear of man.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic final chapters of Jeremiah, detailing the prophet's suffering and unwavering message during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Immediately preceding this, Jeremiah has been rescued from a miry cistern by Ebed-melech, a Cushite eunuch, after being cast there by princes who sought his death for "demoralizing" the soldiers and people [Jeremiah 38:4-6](/jeremiah/38-4 "Jeremiah 38:4-6 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment"). Jeremiah is now confined to the court of the guard. King Zedekiah, despite his public weakness and complicity in Jeremiah's imprisonment, secretly summons the prophet for counsel, demonstrating his underlying, albeit timid, acknowledgment of Jeremiah's divine connection. This secret meeting in verse 16 sets the stage for Jeremiah's final, direct prophetic warning to Zedekiah, urging surrender to Babylon to save the city and his own life [Jeremiah 38:17-23](/jeremiah/38-17 "Jeremiah 38:17-23 - Jeremiah's Counsel to Zedekiah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the final, devastating siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, which began around 588 BCE. Judah was a vassal state, and Zedekiah, placed on the throne by Babylon, was attempting to rebel, against Jeremiah's consistent prophetic warnings. The political climate was intensely volatile; pro-Egyptian factions and nationalistic princes vehemently opposed Jeremiah's message of submission to Babylon, viewing it as treason. Oaths, particularly those invoking the name of Yahweh, were considered extremely binding in ancient Israelite culture, carrying severe spiritual and social consequences if broken. Zedekiah's secret oath, sworn "as the LORD liveth," underscores the king's desperate attempt to gain Jeremiah's trust and perhaps divine favor, while simultaneously fearing the political repercussions of openly following the prophet's unpopular advice.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 38:16 highlights several significant themes pervasive throughout the book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **the King's Fear and Indecision**, a recurring motif for Zedekiah, who consistently vacillates between seeking God's word through Jeremiah and succumbing to the pressure of his officials [Jeremiah 37:17](/jeremiah/37-17 "Jeremiah 37:17 - Zedekiah's Earlier Consultation"). Secondly, the solemn oath "As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul" emphasizes the **Gravity of Divine Oaths** and God's ultimate **Sovereignty over Life**. It underscores the profound responsibility of invoking God's name. Thirdly, despite intense persecution, the verse showcases **Divine Protection for the Prophet**, as God ensures Jeremiah's survival even through the king's reluctant intervention. Finally, Zedekiah's eventual failure to uphold the spirit of this oath by acting decisively on God's command foreshadows the **Cost of Compromise and Disobedience**, which ultimately leads to Jerusalem's destruction and his own tragic end [Jeremiah 39:4-7](/jeremiah/39-4 "Jeremiah 39:4-7 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's Capture").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **secretly (Hebrew, _çêther'_):** From H5643, meaning "a cover," "hiding place," or "privily." This word emphasizes the clandestine nature of Zedekiah's meeting with Jeremiah. It highlights the king's fear of his own officials and his unwillingness to publicly associate with or protect the prophet, despite recognizing the truth of his message. This secrecy is a key indicator of Zedekiah's moral and spiritual weakness, unable to stand for what he knew was right.
* **liveth (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From H2416, meaning "alive," or "life." Used in the powerful oath "As the LORD liveth" (חַי-יְהוָה, _Chai Yahweh_). This phrase invokes the very essence of God's being as the eternally living One. It is the strongest possible affirmation of truth and commitment in ancient Israel, implying that the oath-taker's own life is forfeit if the promise is broken. It underscores the absolute gravity of Zedekiah's vow.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, properly "a breathing creature," or "vitality," used widely for "life," "person," or "self." The phrase "that made us this soul" attributes the very breath and existence of humanity directly to the LORD. By swearing by the God who created their very souls, Zedekiah elevates the oath to the highest possible level, acknowledging God as the ultimate Giver and Sustainer of life, thus making his promise to Jeremiah exceptionally binding.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** From H3027, meaning "a hand" but also used extensively to denote "power," "authority," or "control." When Zedekiah promises, "neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life," he is not merely referring to their physical hands but to their power, authority, and ultimate control over Jeremiah's fate. It signifies his promise not to surrender Jeremiah to their destructive will or jurisdiction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the setting and the nature of the interaction. Zedekiah, the reigning monarch, initiates a private, hidden oath with Jeremiah, indicating his profound internal conflict and fear of his own court. The secrecy underscores his lack of courage to openly support God's prophet.
* **"As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul,"**: This is the solemn oath itself, a powerful invocation of God's name and His creative power. "As the LORD liveth" is a common, binding oath formula, but the addition "that made us this soul" deepens its significance, appealing to God as the ultimate source of life and implying that the king's own life is at stake if he breaks his vow. It acknowledges God's sovereignty over all existence.
* **"I will not put thee to death,"**: This is the first part of Zedekiah's specific promise. It directly addresses the immediate threat to Jeremiah's life, as the prophet had just been rescued from a cistern where he was left to die. This promise reflects Zedekiah's awareness of Jeremiah's perilous situation and his desire, at least in this private moment, to protect him.
* **"neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life."**: This second part of the promise extends Zedekiah's commitment to protect Jeremiah from his enemies, specifically the officials and princes who had previously sought to kill him. "Into the hand of these men" signifies surrendering Jeremiah to their power and malicious intent, highlighting the king's recognition of the danger Jeremiah faced from those within his own court.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 38:16 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is the **Oath Formula**, specifically "As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul." This ancient Near Eastern legal and religious convention lends immense weight and solemnity to Zedekiah's promise, invoking the very existence and creative power of God as guarantor. There is also profound **Irony** present: the king, who holds ultimate authority, is so fearful of his own officials that he must meet "secretly" with the prophet he ostensibly protects. This highlights Zedekiah's tragic indecisiveness and moral weakness, contrasting sharply with the unwavering courage of Jeremiah. Furthermore, the verse contains **Foreshadowing** of Zedekiah's ultimate downfall. Despite this solemn oath, Zedekiah's continued failure to act decisively on Jeremiah's counsel and his eventual betrayal of the spirit of this promise (by not heeding Jeremiah's advice to surrender) directly leads to his capture, the death of his sons, and his own blinding, fulfilling the very "death" and "hand of men" he swore to protect Jeremiah from.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the tension between human fear and divine truth. Zedekiah's secret oath, sworn by the living God, reveals a king who acknowledges God's sovereignty and Jeremiah's prophetic authority, yet lacks the moral courage to act on this conviction publicly. This highlights a critical theological principle: mere intellectual assent to God's truth is insufficient; it must be accompanied by courageous obedience, especially when that obedience is costly. The Lord's protection of Jeremiah, even through a weak and vacillating king, underscores God's faithfulness to His chosen messengers, ensuring His word is delivered regardless of human opposition. The ultimate tragedy of Zedekiah's reign stems from his failure to translate private conviction into public, decisive action, demonstrating that the fear of man is indeed a snare, while trusting in the Lord brings safety.

* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man is a Snare")
* [Psalm 118:6](/psalm/118-6 "Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is With Me")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 38:16 offers a poignant mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the authenticity and depth of our faith. Zedekiah's secret oath is a powerful illustration of a faith that is acknowledged but not fully embraced, a truth that is believed but not courageously lived out. In our own lives, how often do we privately affirm God's truth or make promises to Him, only to shrink from public witness or decisive action due to fear of social disapproval, professional consequences, or personal discomfort? This verse calls us to move beyond a private, compartmentalized faith to one that is integrated and courageous, willing to stand for God's word even when it is unpopular or costly. It reminds us that true security lies not in appeasing human authorities or popular opinion, but in unwavering obedience to the One who "made us this soul" and holds all life in His sovereign hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I like Zedekiah, privately acknowledging God's truth but failing to act on it publicly due to fear of man?**
* **What are the "men that seek thy life" (or hinder your faith) in my context, and how might God be calling me to overcome fear of them?**
* **How does my understanding of God as the Creator and Giver of "this soul" deepen my commitment to the promises I make to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did Zedekiah swear "secretly" to Jeremiah?**

Answer: Zedekiah swore "secretly" because he was a weak and indecisive king who feared his own officials more than he feared God. The princes and military leaders in Jerusalem were vehemently opposed to Jeremiah's prophecies, which called for submission to Babylon, viewing him as a traitor who demoralized the people. Zedekiah knew Jeremiah spoke God's truth and sought his counsel privately [Jeremiah 37:17](/jeremiah/37-17 "Jeremiah 37:17 - Zedekiah's Secret Consultation"), but he lacked the courage to openly protect Jeremiah or act on his advice, which would have put him at odds with his powerful court. His secrecy highlights his political vulnerability and moral cowardice.

**What is the significance of Zedekiah swearing "As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul"?**

Answer: This is a profound and exceptionally binding oath in ancient Israel. "As the LORD liveth" (Hebrew: *Chai Yahweh*) is a common formula for a solemn vow, invoking God's very existence as a guarantee of truth. The addition "that made us this soul" deepens the oath by appealing to God as the ultimate Creator and Giver of life. By invoking God in this way, Zedekiah implicitly acknowledges God's sovereignty over life and death, and he places his own life and soul under divine judgment if he breaks his promise. It was the strongest possible assurance he could give Jeremiah, indicating his recognition of the gravity of the situation and the divine authority behind Jeremiah's words.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 38:16, with its depiction of a king's fear and a prophet's divine protection, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Zedekiah, a weak and compromised king, swore an oath he ultimately failed to uphold, leading to the destruction of his kingdom. In stark contrast, Jesus is the true and faithful King, whose every word and action perfectly fulfilled the will of God, His Father. While Jeremiah faced persecution from those who sought his life, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, faced the ultimate rejection and crucifixion, yet He did so willingly, laying down His life for the salvation of humanity [John 10:17-18](/john/10-17 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life"). The "soul" that God made, which Zedekiah swore by, points to the preciousness of human life and the divine origin of our being. Jesus, as the "Lamb of God" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered His own perfect soul as a sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world and offering true life to all who believe. Unlike Zedekiah, who feared the "hand of these men," Jesus willingly submitted to the hands of His persecutors, knowing that His ultimate victory over death and sin would come through His resurrection, securing eternal life and divine protection for all who trust in Him [Romans 8:31-39](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31-39 - God's Unfailing Love"). He is the King who never compromises, whose promises are always "Yes and Amen" [2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ"), offering true deliverance and eternal life where human kings and their oaths ultimately fail.

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 37:17

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there [any] word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

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,

Jeremiah 38:6

Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that [was] in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon [there was] no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

Isaiah 57:16

For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Zechariah 12:1

¶ The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

Numbers 27:16

Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,