TRV
Translation
King James Version
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)
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.
World English Bible Messianic
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the King sware secretly vnto Ieremiah, saying, As the Lord liueth that made vs these soules, I will not slay thee, nor giue thee into the hands of those men that seeke thy life.
Young's Literal Translation
And the king Zedekiah sweareth unto Jeremiah in secret, saying, `Jehovah liveth, He who made for us this soul, I do not put thee to death, nor give thee unto the hand of these men who are seeking thy soul.'
In the KJVVerse 19,912 of 31,102
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Commentary on Jeremiah 38 verses 14–28
14 ¶ Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
16 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.
17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
19 And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
22 And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:
26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.
27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
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.
In the foregoing chapter we had the king in close conference with Jeremiah, and here again, though (Jer 38:5) he had given him up into the hands of his enemies; such a struggle there was in the breast of this unhappy prince between his convictions and his corruptions. Observe,
I. The honour that Zedekiah did to the prophet. When he was newly fetched out of the dungeon he sent for him to advise with him privately. He met him in the third entry, or (as the margin reads it) the principal entry, that is in, or leads towards, or adjoins to, the house of the Lord, Jer 38:14. In appointing this place of interview with the prophet perhaps he intended to show a respect and reverence for the house of God, which was proper enough now that he was desiring to hear the word of God. Zedekiah would ask Jeremiah a thing; it should rather be rendered, a word. "I am here asking thee for a word of prediction, of counsel, of comfort, a word from the Lord, Jer 37:17. Whatever word thou has for me hide it not from me; let me know the worst." He had been told plainly what things would come to in the foregoing chapter, but, like Balaam, he asks again, in hopes to get a more pleasing answer, as if God, who is in one mind, were altogether such a one as himself, who was in many minds.
II. The bargain that Jeremiah made with him before he would give him his advice, Jer 38:15. He would stipulate, 1. For his own safety. Zedekiah would have him deal faithfully with him: "And if I do," says Jeremiah, "wilt thou not put me to death? I am afraid thou wilt" (so some take it); "what else can I expect when thou art led blindfold by the princes?" Not that Jeremiah was backward to seal the doctrine he preached with his blood, when he was called to do so; but, in doing our duty, we ought to use all lawful means for our own preservation; even the apostles of Christ did so. 2. He would answer for the success of his advice, being no less concerned for Zedekiah's welfare than for his own. He is willing to give him wholesome advice, and does not upbraid him with his unkindness in suffering him to be put into the dungeon, nor bid him go and consult with his princes, whose judgments he had such a value for. Ministers must with meekness instruct even those that oppose themselves, and render good for evil. He is desirous that he should hear counsel and receive instruction: "Wilt thou not hearken unto me? Surely thou wilt; I am in hopes to find thee pliable at last, and now in this thy day willing to know the things that belong to thy peace." Note, Then, and then only, there is hope of sinners, when they are willing to hearken to good counsel. Some read it as spoken despairingly: "If I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me; I have reason to fear thou wilt not, and then I might as well keep my counsel to myself." Note, Ministers have little heart to speak to those who have long and often turned a deaf ear to them. Now, as to this latter concern of Jeremiah's, Zedekiah makes him no answer, will not promise to hearken to his advice: though he desires to know what is the mind of God, yet he will reserve himself a liberty, when he does know it, to do as he things fit; as if it were the prerogative of a prince not to have his ruin prevented by good counsel. But, as to the prophet's safety, he promises him, upon the word of a king, and confirms his promise with an oath, that, whatever he should say to him, no advantage should be taken against him for it: I will neither put thee to death nor deliver thee into the hands of those that will, Jer 38:16. This, he thought, was a mighty favour, and yet Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, when Daniel read their doom, not only protected him, but preferred and rewarded him, Dan 2:48; Dan 2:29. Zedekiah's oath on this occasion is solemn, and very observable: "As the Lord liveth, who made us this soul, who gave me my life and thee thine, I dare not take away thy life unjustly, knowing that then I should forfeit my own to him that is the Lord of life." Note, God is the Father of spirits; souls are his workmanship, and they are more fearfully and wonderfully made than bodies are. The soul both of the greatest prince and of the poorest prisoner is of God's making. He fashioneth their hearts alike easily. In all our appeals to God, and in all our dealings both with ourselves and others, we ought to consider this, that the living God made us these souls.
III. The good advice that Jeremiah gave him, with good reasons why he should take it, not from any prudence or politics of his own, but in the name of the Lord, the God of hosts and God of Israel. Not as a statesman, but as a prophet, he advises him by all means to surrender himself and his city to the king of Babylon's princes: "Go forth to them, and make the best terms thou canst with them," Jer 38:17. This was the advice he had given to the people (Jer 38:2, and before, Jer 21:9), to submit to divine judgments, and not think of contending with them. Note, In dealing with God, that which is good counsel to the meanest is so to the greatest, for there is no respect of persons with him. To persuade him to take this counsel, he sets before him good and evil, life and death. 1. If he will tamely yield, he shall save his children from the sword and Jerusalem from the flames. The white flag is yet hung out; if he will be acknowledge God's justice, he shall experience his mercy: The city shall not be burnt, and thou shalt live and thy house. But, 2. If he will obstinately stand it out, it will be the ruin both of his house and Jerusalem (Jer 38:18); for when God judges he will overcome. This is the case of sinners with God; let them humbly submit to his grace and government and they shall live; let them take hold on his strength, that they may make peace, and they shall make peace; but, if they harden their hearts against his proposals, it will certainly be to their destruction: they must either bend or break.
IV. The objection which Zedekiah made against the prophet's advice, Jer 38:19. Jeremiah spoke to him by prophecy, in the name of God, and therefore if he had had a due regard to the divine authority, wisdom, and goodness, as soon as he understood what the mind of God was he would immediately have acquiesced in it and resolved to observe it, without disputing; but, as if it had been the dictate only of Jeremiah's prudence, he advances against it some prudential considerations of his own: but human wisdom is folly when it contradicts the divine counsel. All he suggests is, "I am afraid, not of the Chaldeans; their princes are men of honour, but of the Jews, that have already gone over to the Chaldeans; when they see me follow them, and who had so much opposed their going, they will laugh at me, and say, Hast thou also become weak as water?" Isa 14:10. Now, 1. It was not at all likely that he should be thus exposed and ridiculed, that the Chaldeans should so far gratify the Jews, or trample upon him, as to deliver him into their hands; nor that the Jews, who were themselves captives, should be in such a gay humour as to make a jest of the misery of their prince. Note, We often frighten ourselves from our duty by foolish, causeless, groundless, fears, that are merely the creatures of our own fancy and imagination. 2. If he should be taunted at a little by the Jews, could he not despise it and make light of it? What harm would it do him? Note, Those have very weak and fretful spirits indeed that cannot bear to be laughed at for that which is both their duty and their interest. 3. Though it had been really the greatest personal mischief that he could imagine it to be, yet he ought to have ventured it, in obedience to God, and for the preservation of his family and city. He thought it would be looked upon as a piece of cowardice to surrender; whereas it would be really an instance of true courage cheerfully to bear a less evil, the mocking of the Jews, for the avoiding of a greater, the ruin of his family and kingdom.
V. The pressing importunity with which Jeremiah followed the advice he had given the king. He assures him that, if he would comply with the will of God herein, the thing he feared should not come upon him (Jer 38:20): They shall not deliver thee up, but treat thee as becomes thy character. He begs of him, after all the foolish games he had played, to manage wisely the last stake, and now at length to do well for himself: Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, because it is his voice, so it shall be well unto thee. But he tells him what would be the consequence if he would not obey. 1. He himself would fall into the hands of the Chaldeans, as implacable enemies, whom he might now make his friends by throwing himself into their hands. if he must fall, he should contrive how to fall easily: "Thou shalt not escape, as thou hopest to do," Jer 38:23. 2. He would himself be chargeable with the destruction of Jerusalem, which he pretended a concern for the preservation of: "Thou shalt cause this city to be burnt with fire, for by a little submission and self-denial thou mightest have prevented it." Thus subjects often suffer for the pride and wilfulness of their rulers, who should be their protectors, but prove their destroyers. 3. Whereas he causelessly feared an unjust reproach for surrendering, he should certainly fall under a just reproach for standing it out, and that from women too, Jer 38:22. The court ladies who were left when Jehoiakim and Jeconiah were carried away will now at length fall into the hands of the enemy, and they shall say, "The men of thy peace, whom thou didst consult with and confide in, and who promised thee peace if thou wouldst be ruled by them, have set thee on, have encouraged thee to be bold and brace and hold out to the last extremity; and see what comes of it? They, by prevailing upon thee, have prevailed against thee, and thou findest those thy real enemies that would be thought thy only friends. Now thy feet are sunk in the mire, thou art embarrassed, and hast noway to help thyself; thy feet cannot get forward, but are turned away back." Thus will Zedekiah be bantered by the women, when all his wives and children shall be made a prey to the conquerors, Jer 38:23. Note, What we seek to avoid by sin will be justly brought upon us by the righteousness of God. And those that decline the way of duty for fear of reproach will certainly meet with much greater reproach in the way of disobedience. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him, Pro 10:24.
VI. The care which Zedekiah took to keep this conference private (Jer 38:24): Let no man know of these words. he does not at all incline to take God's counsel, nor so much as promise to consider of it; for so obstinate has he been to the calls of God, and so wilful in the ways of sin, that though he has good counsel given him he seems to be given up to walk in his own counsels. He has nothing to object against Jeremiah's advice, and yet he will not follow it. Many hear God's words, but will not do them. 1. Jeremiah is charged to let no man know of what had passed between the king and him. Zedekiah is concerned to keep it private, not so much for Jeremiah's safety (for he knew the princes could do him no hurt without his permission), but for his own reputation. Note, Many have really a better affection to good men and good things than they are willing to own. God's prophets are manifest in their consciences (Co2 5:11), but they care not for manifesting that to the world; they would rather do them a kindness than have it known that they do: such, it is to be feared, love the praise of men more than the praise of God. 2. He is instructed what to say to the princes if they should examine him about it. He must tell them that he was petitioning the king not to remand him back to the house of Jonathan the scribe (Jer 38:25, Jer 38:26), and he did tell them so (Jer 38:27), and no doubt it was true: he would not let slip so fair an opportunity of engaging the king's favour; so that this was no lie or equivocation, but a part of the truth, which it was lawful for him to put them off with when he was under no obligation at all to tell them the whole truth. Note, Though we must be harmless as doves, so as never to tell a wilful lie, yet we must be wise as serpents, so as not needlessly to expose ourselves to danger by telling all we know.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–28. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:16 captures a pivotal, clandestine oath by King Zedekiah to the prophet Jeremiah during the desperate final siege of Jerusalem by Babylon. In this highly private encounter, the deeply conflicted king, torn between God's divine counsel delivered through Jeremiah and the intense political pressure from his anti-prophet officials, solemnly swears by the living God, the very Creator of their souls, that he will neither execute Jeremiah nor surrender him to those who relentlessly seek his death. This verse powerfully encapsulates Zedekiah's profound internal struggle, his undeniable, albeit timid, recognition of Jeremiah's divine authority, and his tragic inability to act decisively on God's revealed word due to his overwhelming fear of man.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 38:16 masterfully employs several potent literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The most prominent is the Oath Formula, specifically the ancient and profoundly solemn declaration, "As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul." This ancient Near Eastern legal and religious convention imbues Zedekiah's promise with immense weight, gravity, and divine solemnity, invoking the very existence and creative power of God as the ultimate guarantor. There is also a powerful and tragic Irony woven throughout the scene: the king, who ostensibly wields ultimate authority and power, is so paralyzed by fear of his own subordinate officials that he is compelled to meet "secretly" with the very prophet he promises to protect. This stark contrast vividly highlights Zedekiah's tragic indecisiveness, moral weakness, and profound lack of courage, standing in sharp relief against the unwavering fortitude of Jeremiah. Furthermore, the verse contains poignant Foreshadowing of Zedekiah's inevitable and tragic downfall. Despite this solemn and divinely invoked 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 horrific execution of his sons before his eyes, and his own blinding, thereby tragically fulfilling the very "death" and "hand of men" he swore to protect Jeremiah from.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the perennial tension between human fear and divine truth. Zedekiah's secret oath, sworn by the living God, reveals a king who intellectually acknowledges God's sovereignty and Jeremiah's prophetic authority, yet tragically lacks the moral courage and conviction to act upon this truth publicly. This highlights a critical theological principle: mere intellectual assent to God's truth is profoundly insufficient; it must be accompanied by courageous, costly, and unwavering obedience. The Lord's faithful protection of Jeremiah, even through the reluctant and vacillating actions of a weak king, underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His chosen messengers, ensuring that His divine word is delivered regardless of human opposition or political machinations. The ultimate tragedy of Zedekiah's reign stems directly from his catastrophic failure to translate private conviction into public, decisive action, powerfully demonstrating that the fear of man is indeed a perilous snare, while unwavering trust in the Lord alone brings true safety and deliverance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 38:16 offers a poignant and challenging mirror for contemporary believers, compelling us to deeply examine the authenticity, depth, and practical outworking of our own faith. Zedekiah's secret oath serves as a powerful illustration of a faith that is intellectually acknowledged and privately affirmed, yet tragically not fully embraced or courageously lived out in the public square. It depicts a truth that is believed in the heart but not decisively acted upon due to the paralyzing grip of fear. In our own lives, how often do we find ourselves privately affirming God's profound truth, making solemn promises to Him, or discerning His clear will, only to shrink back from public witness, decisive action, or costly obedience due to the fear of social disapproval, potential professional consequences, or personal discomfort? This verse issues a potent call to move beyond a private, compartmentalized, or timid faith to one that is fully integrated, courageous, and publicly demonstrable, willing to stand unequivocally for God's word even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or personally costly. It serves as a profound reminder that true security, lasting peace, and ultimate flourishing lie not in appeasing human authorities or conforming to popular opinion, but in unwavering, courageous obedience and trust in the One who "made us this soul" and holds all life, all power, and all destiny in His sovereign and benevolent hand.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Zedekiah swear "secretly" to Jeremiah?
Answer: Zedekiah swore "secretly" to Jeremiah because he was a weak, indecisive, and politically vulnerable king who feared his own officials and powerful princes more than he feared God. The princes and military leaders in Jerusalem were vehemently opposed to Jeremiah's prophecies, which consistently called for submission to Babylon, viewing Jeremiah as a traitor who demoralized the people and undermined the war effort. Zedekiah, despite his public weakness, privately recognized that Jeremiah spoke God's truth and frequently sought his counsel (see Jeremiah 37:17). However, he consistently lacked the moral courage and political will to openly protect Jeremiah or to act decisively on his divine advice, which would have inevitably put him at severe odds with his powerful and hostile court. His insistence on secrecy profoundly highlights his political vulnerability, his moral cowardice, and his tragic inability to prioritize divine truth over human fear.
What is the significance of Zedekiah swearing "As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul"?
Answer: This is a profoundly significant and exceptionally binding oath in ancient Israelite culture. The phrase "As the LORD liveth" (Hebrew: Chai Yahweh) is a common and powerful formula for a solemn vow, invoking God's very existence as the ultimate guarantee of truth and fidelity. The crucial addition, "that made us this soul," deepens the oath's theological weight by appealing directly to God as the ultimate Creator and Giver of life, breath, and consciousness. By invoking God in this specific and comprehensive way, Zedekiah implicitly acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, and he places his own life and very soul under divine judgment if he were to break his sacred promise. It was the strongest possible assurance he could give to Jeremiah, indicating his recognition of the extreme gravity of the situation and the divine authority that stood behind Jeremiah's words.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 38:16, with its poignant depiction of a compromised king's fear and a faithful prophet's divine protection, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Zedekiah, a weak and ultimately failed king, swore a solemn oath that he tragically proved unable to uphold, leading inexorably to the destruction of his kingdom and his own devastating end. In stark contrast, Jesus is the true and faithful King, the Messiah whose every word and every action perfectly fulfilled the righteous will of God the Father, demonstrating unwavering obedience even unto death. While Jeremiah faced intense persecution and plots from those who relentlessly sought his life, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Lamb of God, faced the ultimate rejection, betrayal, and crucifixion. Yet, He did so willingly, laying down His own perfect life as a voluntary sacrifice for the salvation of humanity (see John 10:17-18). The "soul" that God made, by which Zedekiah swore, points to the inherent preciousness of human life and the divine origin of our very being. Jesus, as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (see John 1:29), offered His own perfect soul as a substitutionary sacrifice, thereby taking away the sin of the world and offering true, eternal life to all who believe in Him. Unlike Zedekiah, who was paralyzed by fear of the "hand of these men," Jesus willingly submitted to the hands of His persecutors, knowing with divine certainty that His ultimate victory over death, sin, and all human opposition would come through His glorious resurrection, thereby securing eternal life and divine protection for all who trust in Him (see Romans 8:31-39). He is the King who never compromises, whose promises are eternally "Yes and Amen" in Him (see 2 Corinthians 1:20), offering true deliverance, unwavering faithfulness, and eternal life where all human kings and their flawed oaths ultimately fail.