Jeremiah 39:15

KJV

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto Jeremiah {H3414}, while he was shut up {H6113} in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

This word of ADONAI came to Yirmeyahu while he was imprisoned in the guards' quarters:

Berean Standard Bible

And while Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD had come to him:

American Standard Version

Now the word of Jehovah came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 39:15 marks a significant moment in the prophet Jeremiah’s life, underscoring God's unwavering commitment to communicate with His chosen servant even amidst severe personal hardship and physical confinement. This verse serves as a crucial preface to a divine message specifically intended for Ebed-melech, the Ethiopian eunuch, who had recently demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion by rescuing Jeremiah from a life-threatening pit. It highlights the principle that divine revelation is not constrained by human circumstances, no matter how dire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jerusalem's fall to the Babylonians and King Zedekiah's capture. [Jeremiah 39:1-10](/jeremiah/39-1 "Jeremiah 39:1-10 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's Capture") describes the city's destruction, the king's flight and capture, and the subsequent treatment of the remaining populace. Jeremiah himself, having consistently prophesied this very outcome, was imprisoned for his "treasonous" messages. Verse 15 interrupts the main narrative flow concerning the general population's fate and Zedekiah's downfall to focus on a specific divine word to Jeremiah, which then leads to a promise of deliverance for Ebed-melech in [Jeremiah 39:16-18](/jeremiah/39-16 "Jeremiah 39:16-18 - God's Promise to Ebed-melech"). This interlude emphasizes God's meticulous attention to individuals even in times of widespread calamity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during its final, brutal siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, which culminated in 586 BC. Jeremiah had been prophesying for decades, consistently warning Judah of impending judgment due to their idolatry and disobedience. His messages, often unpopular and seen as undermining national morale, led to his repeated persecution and imprisonment, as detailed in [Jeremiah 37](/jeremiah/37 "Jeremiah 37 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment") and [Jeremiah 38](/jeremiah/38 "Jeremiah 38 - Jeremiah in the Cistern"). The "court of the prison" (Hebrew: *chatzer hammattarah*) was likely a specific guarded courtyard or administrative detention area within the royal palace complex, where Jeremiah was held under relatively less harsh conditions than a dungeon, but still confined. This period was one of profound national crisis, marked by famine, war, and the collapse of the Davidic monarchy, making the continued flow of God's word all the more remarkable.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 39:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Communication Unhindered**, demonstrating that God's word is not bound by human limitations or circumstances, even the prophet's imprisonment. Secondly, it reinforces **God's Faithfulness to His Prophets**, showing that despite Jeremiah's suffering and isolation for delivering unpopular truths, the Lord continued to engage with him and use him as a channel for revelation. This underscores God's steadfast care for those who remain loyal to Him, even in extreme adversity. Finally, the verse serves as an **Introduction to a Specific Divine Promise**, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that detail God's protection and deliverance for Ebed-melech, thereby highlighting God's meticulous attention to acts of righteousness and compassion, a sub-theme of divine justice and reward.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term signifies more than just spoken utterance; it encompasses a matter, thing, affair, or even a decree. Here, "the word of the LORD" (dâbâr YHWH) refers to a divine communication, a specific message or revelation from God. Its coming to Jeremiah signifies God's active engagement and sovereign initiative, emphasizing that the message is not of human origin but directly from the divine will.
* **Shut up (Hebrew, _ʻâtsâr'_):** From H6113, this verb means "to inclose," "to hold back," "to detain," or "to restrain." It vividly describes Jeremiah's physical confinement and restriction of movement. The use of this word highlights the prophet's vulnerable state and the human attempt to silence or neutralize his prophetic voice. Yet, paradoxically, it is precisely in this state of being "shut up" that the divine word breaks through.
* **Prison (Hebrew, _maṭṭârâʼ'_):** From H4307, this noun denotes a jail or a guard-house, also implying an aim or mark (as something closely watched). In this context, it refers to the specific place of Jeremiah's detention, the "court of the prison." This detail underscores the reality of Jeremiah's physical predicament, yet the fact that the word of the LORD came to him *in* this place emphasizes that no human-made barrier can impede God's communication or purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah,"** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. The phrase "the word of the LORD came" is a common prophetic formula, indicating direct revelation. It highlights God's initiative and sovereign act in communicating with His prophet, ensuring that the ensuing message carries divine weight and certainty.
* **"while he was shut up in the court of the prison,"** This phrase provides the precise, and highly ironic, context for the divine communication. Jeremiah, imprisoned for faithfully delivering God's words, now receives *another* word from God in the very place of his confinement. This detail powerfully contrasts human attempts to silence God's messenger with God's unhindered ability to speak, demonstrating His sovereignty over all human circumstances and institutions. The "court of the prison" (Hebrew: *chatzer hammattarah*) indicates a specific, perhaps less severe, form of detention within the royal palace grounds, yet it was still a place of restriction.
* **"saying,"** This simple concluding word indicates that the verse serves as an introduction to the content of the divine message that follows. It signals that the subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 39:16-18](/jeremiah/39-16 "Jeremiah 39:16-18 - God's Promise to Ebed-melech")) will contain the direct words of the LORD as revealed to Jeremiah.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 39:15 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the prophet who was imprisoned for speaking God's word now receives a fresh word from God *while* in prison. This highlights the futility of human efforts to suppress divine truth. There is also a strong **contrast** between Jeremiah's physical confinement and the unhindered, boundless nature of God's communication. The human attempt to "shut up" the prophet is utterly powerless against the sovereign "word of the LORD" that "came unto" him. Furthermore, the phrase "the word of the LORD came" functions as a **formulaic declaration**, signaling divine authority and emphasizing the direct, active involvement of God in the narrative. This reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting that God's purposes and messages cannot be thwarted by any earthly power or circumstance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 39:15 profoundly illustrates God's unhindered sovereignty and His faithfulness to His servants, even in the most challenging circumstances. Theologically, it affirms that God's word is not bound by human limitations, physical barriers, or political opposition. Just as Jeremiah's imprisonment could not stop the divine flow of revelation, so too is God's truth eternally free and powerful. This verse introduces a specific act of divine justice and mercy, as the ensuing message is for Ebed-melech, who showed compassion to Jeremiah. It underscores that God sees and rewards acts of righteousness, even when they are performed by those outside the covenant community, and that His care extends to those who faithfully serve Him and those who show kindness to His servants.

* [Ezekiel 1:1](/ezekiel/1-1 "Ezekiel 1:1 - God's Word to Ezekiel by the Chebar Canal")
* [2 Timothy 2:9](/2_timothy/2-9 "2 Timothy 2:9 - The Word of God Is Not Chained")
* [Acts 12:6-11](/acts/12-6 "Acts 12:6-11 - Peter's Miraculous Release from Prison")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 39:15 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how confined, restricted, or challenging our personal circumstances may become—whether through physical illness, social isolation, professional setbacks, or spiritual dryness—God's presence and His ability to speak into our lives remain utterly unhindered. We are called to cultivate an attentive heart, trusting that even in our "prisons," the Word of the Lord can and will come to us. Furthermore, the broader context reminds us that faithfulness to God's truth, even when it leads to hardship or opposition, is never in vain. God remains steadfast to His servants, often providing unexpected comfort, guidance, or specific interventions, just as He did for Jeremiah and promised for Ebed-melech. This passage also subtly encourages us to be like Ebed-melech, to show courage and compassion to those suffering for righteousness, knowing that God takes notice of such acts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "prisons" or confined circumstances in your life do you need to remember that God's word is unhindered?**
* **How does Jeremiah's experience encourage you to remain faithful to God's truth, even when it is unpopular or costly?**
* **What specific acts of compassion or courage has God called you to recently, and how might He reward your faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jeremiah "shut up in the court of the prison" at this specific time?**

Answer: Jeremiah was imprisoned because his prophecies were perceived as treasonous and demoralizing during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. He consistently urged surrender to the Babylonians as God's will, which was seen by King Zedekiah and his officials as undermining the city's defense and national morale. His confinement in the "court of the prison" is mentioned multiple times, including in [Jeremiah 32:2](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah 32:2 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment") and [Jeremiah 37:21](/jeremiah/37-21 "Jeremiah 37:21 - Jeremiah's Confinement"), indicating a prolonged period of detention within the royal palace complex.

**Does God still speak to people today in difficult circumstances, similar to how He spoke to Jeremiah?**

Answer: Yes, the principle that God's communication is unhindered by human circumstances remains true. While direct prophetic revelation in the same manner as Jeremiah is unique to the biblical prophets, God continues to speak to His people through His written Word ([2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")), through the Holy Spirit's guidance ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")), through prayer, and through the counsel of other believers. The message of Jeremiah 39:15 is that no prison, no hardship, no isolation can cut off a believer from God's presence or His ability to communicate His truth and comfort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 39:15, though set in the Old Testament, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jeremiah, the prophet of judgment and lament, faithfully delivered God's word despite persecution and imprisonment, foreshadowing the ultimate Prophet, Jesus Christ. Jesus, the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), came into a world that largely rejected Him, ultimately enduring His own "imprisonment" and crucifixion at the hands of human authorities. Yet, just as Jeremiah's confinement could not prevent the word of the LORD from coming forth, so too the death and burial of Christ could not contain the divine plan. His resurrection powerfully demonstrated that God's redemptive word, embodied in Christ, is utterly unhindered by human opposition, sin, or even death itself ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). The unchained nature of God's word, even amidst the suffering of His servants, finds its ultimate expression in the triumphant and eternally free message of the Gospel, which continues to go forth to all nations, empowered by the Spirit, no matter the obstacles ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

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 32:1

¶ The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which [was] the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.

Jeremiah 32:2

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.

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Jeremiah 39:14

Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

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.

Jeremiah 36:1

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Jeremiah 36:5

And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I [am] shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD: