Bible Strands
Jeremiah 37:17
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Zedekiah summons Jeremiah from his dungeon to the palace and questions him privately about receiving a message from the LORD. Jeremiah responds directly that Zedekiah will be handed over to the Babylonian king.
The words — The Hebrew בַּסֵּתֶר (ba./se./ter) literally means "in secrecy" and marks the concealed nature of Zedekiah's inquiry. The verb וַיִּשְׁלַח (va./yi./sho./lach) denotes the king's command to bring the prophet before him.
The thread — This exchange parallels the prophetic pattern of rulers seeking divine counsel during crisis, directly echoing the judgment declared in Jeremiah 21:7. It also aligns with the royal interrogation motif found in 1 Kings 14:1 and 1 Kings 22:16.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that political desperation cannot alter a stated divine decree. It demands recognition that prophetic truth is delivered regardless of the inquirer's rank or hidden motives.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 21:7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’
- 1 Kings 14:1 At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill,
- 1 Kings 22:16 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”
- Jeremiah 21:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said,
- Jeremiah 24:8 But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt.
- Jeremiah 37:3 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!”
- Jeremiah 38:5 “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”
- Jeremiah 38:14 Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.”
- Jeremiah 38:24 Then Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you will die.
- Ezekiel 12:12 And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.