King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 37:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 37:13 in the King James Version says “And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, t...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.”

Jeremiah 37:13 · KJV

Context

And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army, broken: Heb. made to ascend

Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people. separate: or, to slip away from thence in the midst of the people

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.

Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes. false: Heb. falsehood, or, a lie

Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

Read Jeremiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah—the sha'ar Binyamin (שַׁעַר בִּנְיָמִן, gate of Benjamin) was Jerusalem's northern gate leading toward Benjamin territory. The ba'al pekudah (בַּעַל פְּקֻדָּה, captain of the ward) was a sentry officer responsible for monitoring traffic. Irijah's genealogy is recorded, perhaps because his grandfather Hananiah was the false prophet who opposed Jeremiah in chapter 28, creating family animosity.

And he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans—the accusation uses nofel (נֹפֵל, falling away/deserting), technical terminology for defection to the enemy. This charge carried extreme gravity during siege conditions; desertion was punishable by death. The verb's participial form suggests habitual action: 'you are deserting,' implying intent to join Babylon's forces.

The irony is profound: Jeremiah had consistently advocated submission to Babylon as God's will (21:8-9; 38:2), but never for personal advantage or national betrayal. His counsel was prophetic, not political; theological, not treasonous. Yet speaking God's word made him appear disloyal to nationalistic leaders who confused political allegiance with covenant faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Desertion was a serious problem during Jerusalem's siege. Jeremiah himself had prophesied that those who surrendered to Babylon would live while those who remained would die (21:9; 38:2). Some did defect based on his prophecies (38:19; 39:9). This made Jeremiah appear to encourage desertion, though his message was theological (submit to God's decreed judgment) rather than political (betray your nation). Irijah's charge, though false regarding Jeremiah's personal intent, reflected genuine tension between prophetic counsel and patriotic loyalty. The authorities could not distinguish between submitting to God's will and betraying Judah.

Reflection Questions

How do we distinguish between submitting to God's will and betraying legitimate earthly loyalties when they seem to conflict?
What role might Irijah's family history (grandson of the false prophet Hananiah) have played in his willingness to arrest Jeremiah?
When have you been accused of disloyalty for obeying God's word that contradicted popular expectations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words

וַיְהִי1 of 22

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ה֞וּא2 of 22

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בְּשַׁ֣עַר3 of 22

“And when he was in the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בִּנְיָמִ֗ן4 of 22

“of Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְשָׁם֙5 of 22

H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

בַּ֣עַל6 of 22

“a captain”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

פְּקִדֻ֔ת7 of 22

“of the ward”

H6488

supervision

וּשְׁמוֹ֙8 of 22

“was there whose name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִרְאִיָּ֔יה9 of 22

“was Irijah”

H3376

jirijah, an israelite

בֶּן10 of 22

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֖ה11 of 22

“of Shelemiah”

H8018

shelemjah, the name of nine israelites

בֶּן12 of 22

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֲנַנְיָ֑ה13 of 22

“of Hananiah”

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

וַיִּתְפֹּ֞שׂ14 of 22

“and he took”

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

אֶֽת15 of 22

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִרְמְיָ֤הוּ16 of 22

“Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִיא֙17 of 22

“the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

לֵאמֹ֔ר18 of 22

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל19 of 22

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים20 of 22

“to the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

אַתָּ֥ה21 of 22

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נֹפֵֽל׃22 of 22

“Thou fallest away”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 37:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 37:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 38:7 Zechariah 14:10 Jeremiah 38:1 Acts 6:11 Acts 24:13 Jeremiah 18:18