Jeremiah 37:20

Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

Therefore hear {H8085} now, I pray thee, O my lord {H113} the king {H4428}: let my supplication {H8467}, I pray thee, be accepted {H5307} before {H6440} thee; that thou cause me not to return {H7725} to the house {H1004} of Jonathan {H3083} the scribe {H5608}, lest I die {H4191} there.

So now, please listen, my lord king! I beg you, approve my request - don't make me return to the house of Y'honatan the secretary, or I will die there."

But now please listen, O my lord the king. May my petition come before you. Do not send me back to the house of Jonathan the scribe, or I will die there.”

And now hear, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be presented before thee, that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 37:20 (KJV)

Jeremiah 37:20 presents a poignant moment in the prophet Jeremiah's life, revealing his intense suffering and desperate plea for survival amidst the siege of Jerusalem. This verse captures Jeremiah addressing King Zedekiah, appealing directly for mercy and a change in his harsh imprisonment conditions.

Context

At this point in the book of Jeremiah, Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonian army led by Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet Jeremiah had consistently delivered God's unpopular message: surrender to Babylon, as it was God's judgment upon Judah for its idolatry and disobedience. This message was perceived as treasonous by the officials and even by King Zedekiah himself, leading to Jeremiah's repeated persecution. Prior to this verse, Jeremiah had been arrested and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which served as a makeshift dungeon (Jeremiah 37:15). The conditions there were dire, likely involving starvation, lack of light, and severe discomfort. The king had called Jeremiah out of this prison to inquire of the Lord privately, and after Jeremiah delivered God's word, the prophet seized the opportunity to make this personal appeal.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Suffering: The verse vividly illustrates the immense personal suffering endured by Jeremiah for faithfully delivering God's message. Despite being God's messenger, he was not exempt from physical hardship and danger.
  • Human Vulnerability: Even a prophet of God, endowed with divine messages, expresses profound human fear of death and appeals to human authority for relief.
  • King Zedekiah's Indecision: This plea highlights King Zedekiah's weak and vacillating leadership. He privately sought God's word through Jeremiah but lacked the conviction to act decisively on it, often yielding to his officials' pressures, even regarding Jeremiah's fate. This pattern continues, despite King Zedekiah's later secret consultations with Jeremiah.
  • The Power of Supplication: Jeremiah's direct and humble appeal, using the phrase "I pray thee," underscores the importance of supplication, or earnest prayer and petition, even to earthly rulers.

Linguistic Insights

The word "supplication" in this verse translates the Hebrew term teḥinnah (תְּחִנָּה), which signifies a plea for grace, favor, or mercy. It implies a humble and earnest request, often made to a superior, seeking compassion and a favorable response. Jeremiah isn't demanding but respectfully pleading for the king's acceptance of his petition, acknowledging Zedekiah's authority while conveying the urgency of his situation.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:20 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Perseverance Amidst Hardship: Jeremiah's plea reminds us that faithfulness to God does not guarantee an easy life. We may face intense suffering and opposition, but we are called to persevere, even when our circumstances are dire.
  • Seeking Justice and Mercy: While our ultimate trust is in God, this verse shows it is appropriate to appeal to earthly authorities for justice, mercy, and relief from oppression when possible.
  • God's Presence in Suffering: Even in his deepest distress, Jeremiah continued to be a vessel for God's word. His survival, despite constant threats, points to God's overarching protection and purpose for his prophet. This can encourage us to remember that God is with us even in our darkest moments.
  • The Value of Life: Jeremiah's desperate plea "lest I die there" underscores the inherent human desire for life and the severity of the conditions he faced, reminding us to value and protect life.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 36:7 (3 votes)

    It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great [is] the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.

  • Jeremiah 38:6 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Jeremiah 38:9 (2 votes)

    My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

  • Jeremiah 38:26 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Acts 28:18 (2 votes)

    Who, when they had examined me, would have let [me] go, because there was no cause of death in me.

  • Acts 28:19 (2 votes)

    But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

  • Jeremiah 26:15 (2 votes)

    But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.