Jeremiah 38:24

KJV

Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Zedekiah {H6667} unto Jeremiah {H3414}, Let no man {H376} know {H3045} of these words {H1697}, and thou shalt not die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Tzidkiyahu said to Yirmeyahu, "Don't tell anyone what you just said, or you will die.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you will die.

American Standard Version

Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:24 captures a pivotal, clandestine exchange between King Zedekiah and the prophet Jeremiah, where the king, gripped by fear of his own officials, implores Jeremiah to keep their recent conversation—which included divine counsel to surrender to Babylon—a strict secret, promising the prophet's life in return for his silence. This verse illuminates Zedekiah's profound indecision, his prioritization of political expediency over divine command, and the perilous position of Jeremiah as God's unwavering messenger in a time of national crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 38:24 is situated within the dramatic final chapters of the Book of Jeremiah, detailing the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the prophet's unyielding, often unpopular, messages of impending judgment and the call to surrender. Immediately preceding this verse, Zedekiah had secretly summoned Jeremiah to the third entrance of the temple for a private consultation, seeking a word from the Lord (Jeremiah 38:14). Jeremiah, despite his prior imprisonment and suffering at the hands of the very officials Zedekiah feared, faithfully delivered God's consistent message: surrender to Babylon to save the city and its people from destruction (Jeremiah 38:17-23). Zedekiah's desperate plea for secrecy in verse 24 directly follows Jeremiah's dire prophecy, revealing the king's internal conflict and his profound fear of his princes, who vehemently opposed any thought of capitulation. The narrative flow highlights Zedekiah's tragic inability to act decisively on divine counsel, ultimately leading to the city's downfall as prophesied.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This verse is set against the backdrop of Jerusalem's final days before its destruction in 586 BC. The city was under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, a culmination of decades of Judah's spiritual apostasy and political maneuvering against God's will. King Zedekiah, installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation, was a weak and vacillating ruler, constantly caught between the powerful pro-Egyptian faction (who advocated resistance to Babylon) and Jeremiah's pro-Babylonian counsel (which was, in fact, God's command). The "princes" or "officials" Zedekiah feared were powerful figures in the royal court, often influencing the king's decisions and actively persecuting Jeremiah for his prophecies. In this highly volatile political climate, any perceived weakness or willingness to negotiate with the enemy was considered treasonous by the hardline resistance faction, making Zedekiah's secret meeting with Jeremiah and his subsequent demand for silence a matter of life and death, both for the prophet and potentially for the king's own political standing.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 38:24 encapsulates several profound themes woven throughout the book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **fear of man versus the fear of God**. Zedekiah's actions are dictated by his overwhelming fear of his officials and public opinion, rather than by courageous obedience to God's clear word delivered through Jeremiah. This stands in stark contrast to the divine call for trust in God alone, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man is a Snare"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **compromise and secrecy** in leadership. Zedekiah desires the benefit of divine counsel but lacks the moral fortitude to act upon it publicly, seeking to hide his true inclinations. This secrecy ultimately proves futile, as Jerusalem falls just as Jeremiah prophesied, underscoring the futility of human schemes against divine decree, as seen in [Jeremiah 39:1-10](/jeremiah/39-1 "Jeremiah 39:1-10 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). Finally, the verse underscores the **integrity and peril of the prophetic office**. Jeremiah, despite facing constant threats, imprisonment, and the risk of death, remains steadfast in delivering God's challenging message, demonstrating unwavering faithfulness even when his life is explicitly on the line, a testament to God's sustaining power in [Jeremiah 1:17-19](/jeremiah/1-17 "Jeremiah 1:17-19 - Jeremiah's Commission and Protection").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** (H3045) This primitive root means "to know," encompassing a wide range of senses from simple ascertainment by seeing to deep, intimate knowledge, recognition, instruction, and even punishment. In Zedekiah's command, "Let no man know," it refers to a complete suppression of information, a desire for absolute secrecy. The king wants to ensure that the "words" (dâbâr) of Jeremiah's counsel, particularly the sensitive advice to surrender, remain entirely hidden from his officials, revealing his fear of the political repercussions if his willingness to even consider such advice became known.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) Derived from the root "dabar" (to speak), this word signifies not merely spoken utterances but also "a matter," "a thing," "an affair," "counsel," or "a decree." Here, it refers to the entire substance of Jeremiah's prophetic message and the weighty counsel he delivered regarding surrender to Babylon. Zedekiah's concern is not just about a specific phrase but about the entire "matter" of their private meeting becoming public, as it would expose his consideration of a policy contrary to the prevailing anti-Babylonian sentiment among his princes.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** (H4191) This primitive root means "to die" literally or figuratively, and causatively, "to kill." In Zedekiah's promise, "thou shalt not die," it is a direct assurance of life, a guarantee of safety for Jeremiah, contingent upon his discretion. This underscores the incredibly high stakes involved in this conversation. Jeremiah's life had already been threatened multiple times for his prophecies, and here, the king offers him a reprieve from death, implicitly acknowledging the danger Jeremiah was in from the very officials Zedekiah himself feared.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah":** This opening clause sets the scene for a private, urgent conversation. The king, despite his public posturing and his previous mistreatment of Jeremiah (allowing him to be cast into a dungeon), now seeks the prophet's counsel in secret, highlighting his desperation and the unique, albeit conflicted, trust he placed in Jeremiah's prophetic word.
* **"Let no man know of these words":** This is Zedekiah's direct command, revealing his overwhelming fear of his own officials and his deep-seated political cowardice. The "words" refer to the entire content of Jeremiah's counsel, particularly the advice to surrender to the Babylonians. Zedekiah's primary concern is not obedience to God's will but the preservation of his own reputation and position, fearing the wrath of his princes if his secret consultation and consideration of surrender were exposed.
* **"and thou shalt not die":** This is Zedekiah's promise to Jeremiah, a direct assurance of the prophet's safety, contingent upon his silence. It underscores the perilous situation Jeremiah was in, constantly facing threats to his life for delivering unpopular divine messages. The king, by offering this protection, implicitly acknowledges the danger Jeremiah faced from the anti-Babylonian faction, the very group Zedekiah himself was afraid to defy.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to heighten its dramatic impact and reveal character. **Irony** is prominent, as the king who holds the power to protect his people is himself paralyzed by fear of his own subjects, seeking to save the prophet's life through secrecy, rather than acting boldly on the divine counsel that could save the nation. There is also a strong sense of **Foreshadowing**, as Zedekiah's indecision and fear of man, so vividly portrayed here, ultimately lead to the tragic downfall of Jerusalem, just as Jeremiah had prophesied. The **Contrast** between Zedekiah's timidity and Jeremiah's unwavering courage in delivering God's truth, despite personal peril, is starkly evident. Furthermore, the private nature of this conversation, emphasized by Zedekiah's demand for secrecy, creates a sense of **Suspense**, as the reader is aware of the high stakes and the impending doom that Zedekiah's inaction will bring.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 38:24 profoundly illustrates the spiritual and practical dangers of prioritizing the fear of man over the fear of God. Zedekiah's desperate plea for secrecy and his conditional promise of life to Jeremiah expose a king whose leadership is crippled by human approval and political expediency, rather than steadfast obedience to divine revelation. This tragic flaw leads not only to his personal downfall but also to the catastrophic destruction of his kingdom. The verse highlights the consistent prophetic theme that true security and wisdom are found only in heeding God's word, regardless of the cost or popular opinion. It underscores the principle that compromise with truth, driven by fear, ultimately leads to greater peril.

* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man is a Snare")
* [Isaiah 51:12-13](/isaiah/51-12 "Isaiah 51:12-13 - Who Are You, That You Fear Man?")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 38:24 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the sources of our own fears and allegiances. Like Zedekiah, we often face situations where the truth, or God's clear direction, might be unpopular, inconvenient, or even personally costly. The temptation to compromise, to seek secrecy, or to prioritize human approval over divine command is ever-present. This verse calls us to cultivate a courage rooted in the fear of God, which liberates us from the snare of the fear of man. It encourages us to speak and live out God's truth with integrity, even when it puts us at odds with prevailing opinions or powerful interests. Zedekiah's tragic end is a sober reminder that indecision and a lack of conviction in the face of divine counsel lead to ruin. Therefore, we are called to decisive action, trusting in God's wisdom and provision, rather than our own attempts to manage circumstances through secrecy and compromise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to prioritize the fear of man over the fear of God?**
* **What "secrets" or compromises might you be holding onto to avoid conflict or disapproval, and how might these hinder your walk with God?**
* **How can you cultivate greater courage and conviction to speak and live God's truth, even when it is unpopular or costly?**
* **What lessons can Zedekiah's indecisiveness teach us about the importance of acting decisively on God's revealed will?**

### FAQ

**Why was Zedekiah so afraid of his officials, and what does this reveal about his character?**

Answer: Zedekiah was deeply afraid of his officials because they represented powerful factions within the court, particularly the anti-Babylonian party, who advocated for continued resistance against Nebuchadnezzar. These officials had significant influence and were ruthless; they had previously tried to kill Jeremiah by casting him into a miry dungeon ([Jeremiah 38:4-6](/jeremiah/38-4 "Jeremiah 38:4-6 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment")). Zedekiah, a weak and indecisive ruler, lacked the moral courage and political will to stand against them. His fear reveals a character marked by vacillation, a desire for self-preservation, and a tragic inability to prioritize God's word over human opinion and political expediency. He sought divine counsel but lacked the conviction to act upon it publicly, ultimately leading to the destruction of his kingdom.

**What was the "words" that Zedekiah wanted Jeremiah to keep secret?**

Answer: The "words" (Hebrew: _dâbâr_) refer to the entire substance of the secret conversation between Zedekiah and Jeremiah, particularly the prophet's divine counsel to surrender to the Babylonians. Jeremiah had explicitly told Zedekiah that if he surrendered, his life and the city would be spared, but if he refused, both he and Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonians ([Jeremiah 38:17-23](/jeremiah/38-17 "Jeremiah 38:17-23 - Jeremiah's Counsel to Zedekiah")). This message was anathema to the pro-resistance officials, who would have viewed any consideration of surrender as treasonous. Zedekiah wanted to keep this counsel secret to avoid their wrath and maintain his precarious hold on power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 38:24, while depicting Zedekiah's tragic fear of man and compromise, ultimately points us to the Christ who perfectly embodies the fear of God and unwavering obedience. Unlike Zedekiah, who sought to save his own life and reputation through secrecy and ultimately failed, Jesus, the true King, embraced public truth and faced the ultimate cost. He did not fear man but spoke God's truth openly, even when it led to His rejection and crucifixion ([John 8:26](/john/8-26 "John 8:26 - Jesus Speaks Truth")). Where Zedekiah promised Jeremiah life contingent on silence, Jesus offers eternal life through His own sacrificial death, a death He willingly embraced to fulfill God's will ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). The "words" that Zedekiah feared being known were words of truth and salvation for Judah, yet rejected. In contrast, the "words" of Christ—His gospel message—are openly proclaimed, bringing life and freedom to all who believe, without fear or compromise ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Jesus is the faithful Prophet, Priest, and King who, unlike Zedekiah, never wavered in His mission, perfectly demonstrating the fear of God that leads to life, not death, and securing a salvation that is not contingent on human secrecy but on divine revelation and sacrifice.

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.