King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 37:14 Mean?

“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”

Jeremiah 37:14 · KJV

Context

12

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

13

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.

14

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

15

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.

16

When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon , and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; cabins: or, cells

Read Jeremiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans—Jeremiah's response is unequivocal. The Hebrew sheker (שֶׁקֶר, false/lie) flatly denies the accusation. Eineni nofel (אֵינֶנִּי נֹפֵל, I fall not away) uses the emphatic negative construction—'I am absolutely not deserting.' His clear conscience enabled bold denial. The prophet distinguished sharply between his theological message (Judah must submit to Babylon's God-ordained judgment) and personal treason.

But he hearkened not to him—the refusal to hear truth parallels Jerusalem's persistent rejection of prophetic warnings. The Hebrew lo shama (לֹא שָׁמַע, did not hearken) indicates willful refusal, not mere failure to understand. Irijah chose to disbelieve Jeremiah regardless of evidence. So Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes—the arrest proceeded despite denial, showing how predetermined hostility distorts justice. The sarim (שָׂרִים, princes/officials) were Jerusalem's ruling elite who consistently opposed Jeremiah (26:10-11; 36:12; 38:4).

This previews Jesus' trials before hostile authorities who determined His guilt before hearing evidence (Matthew 26:59-60; Mark 14:55-56). False accusations and predetermined verdicts characterize worldly justice opposed to God's truth. Yet both Jeremiah and Jesus maintained clear conscience and uncompromising witness despite unjust treatment (1 Peter 2:21-23).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's arrest occurred during the final 18 months before Jerusalem's fall. The princes mentioned here were the same officials who later urged his execution (38:4) and who burned Jeremiah's scroll containing God's word (36:23). Their hostility was longstanding and ideological—Jeremiah's message contradicted their political program of Egyptian alliance and resistance to Babylon. They could not tolerate a voice declaring that resistance was futile and submission to Babylon was God's will. The prophet's arrest on false charges enabled them to silence his message without directly challenging divine authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we respond when falsely accused, knowing that truth may not convince predetermined opponents?
  2. What distinguishes maintaining clear conscience from needing to be vindicated by others?
  3. Why do hostile authorities often refuse to hear truth even when clearly presented?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 16

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּיִרְמְיָ֔הוּ2 of 16

“Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

שֶׁ֗קֶר3 of 16

“It is false”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

אֵינֶ֤נִּי4 of 16
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

נֹפֵל֙5 of 16

“I fall not away”

H5307

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

עַל6 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים7 of 16

“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

וְלֹ֥א8 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמַ֖ע9 of 16

“But he hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵלָ֑יו10 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיִּתְפֹּ֤שׂ11 of 16

“took”

H8610

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

יִרְאִיָּיה֙12 of 16

“not to him so Irijah”

H3376

jirijah, an israelite

בְּיִרְמְיָ֔הוּ13 of 16

“Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

וַיְבִאֵ֖הוּ14 of 16

“and brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל15 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשָּׂרִֽים׃16 of 16

“him to the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

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 37:14 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 37:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:11-12Psalms 27:12Psalms 52:1-2Jeremiah 40:4-61 Peter 4:14-16Psalms 35:11

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