King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 37:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 37:15 in the King James Version says “Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 37:15 · KJV

Context

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

17

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.

Read Jeremiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah—their anger (qatsap, קָצַף, intense displeasure/fury) reveals predetermined hostility unrelated to evidence. They were angry at Jeremiah's message and seized the arrest as opportunity to punish him. And smote him—the Hebrew hikou (הִכּוּ, beat/struck) indicates violent assault, likely flogging. This official beating recalls the earlier assault when Pashur struck Jeremiah and put him in stocks (20:2).

And put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison—this improvised prison in beit hasofer (בֵּית הַסֹּפֵר, house of the scribe) suggests Jerusalem's regular facilities were overwhelmed or destroyed during siege conditions. Scribes were educated officials who managed administrative functions; Jonathan's house was commandeered as detention center. The phrase ki-oto asu beit hakele (כִּי־אֹתוֹ עָשׂוּ בֵּית הַכֶּלֶא, for they had made that the prison) explains this unusual arrangement.

The beating and imprisonment constitute official persecution for prophetic ministry. This pattern runs throughout Scripture: Elijah fled Jezebel's wrath, Micaiah was imprisoned for true prophecy (1 Kings 22:27), John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus was crucified, apostles were beaten (Acts 5:40). Faithful proclamation often provokes violent opposition from those whose power or ideology is threatened by God's word (John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's conditions during the extended siege (18 months total) were desperate. Famine, disease, and military pressure created chaos. Normal civic institutions broke down. Jonathan the scribe's house being repurposed as prison suggests official facilities were unavailable or needed for military purposes. The dungeon mentioned in verse 16 was particularly harsh—likely a cistern or underground chamber. Jeremiah's treatment contrasts sharply with Zedekiah's later private consultations (vv. 17-21), showing the king's conflicted posture: respecting the prophet privately while allowing officials to persecute him publicly.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does faithful proclamation of God's word often provoke violent opposition from civil authorities?
  2. How should we respond when officially punished for speaking biblical truth?
  3. What does the princes' anger at Jeremiah (despite flimsy evidence) reveal about the real nature of opposition to prophetic ministry?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיִּקְצְפ֧וּ1 of 18

“were wroth”

H7107

to crack off, i.e., (figuratively) burst out in rage

הַשָּׂרִ֛ים2 of 18

“Wherefore the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

עַֽל3 of 18
H5921

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

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ4 of 18

“with Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

וְהִכּ֣וּ5 of 18

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֹת֑וֹ6 of 18
H853

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

וְנָתְנ֨וּ7 of 18

“him and put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אוֹת֜וֹ8 of 18
H853

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

לְבֵ֥ית9 of 18

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָאֵס֗וּר10 of 18

“him in prison”

H612

a bond (especially manacles of a prisoner)

לְבֵ֥ית11 of 18

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוֹנָתָ֣ן12 of 18

“of Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

הַסֹּפֵ֔ר13 of 18

“the scribe”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

כִּֽי14 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֹת֥וֹ15 of 18
H853

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

עָשׂ֖וּ16 of 18

“for they had made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְבֵ֥ית17 of 18

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַכֶּֽלֶא׃18 of 18

“that the prison”

H3608

a prison

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 37:15 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 37:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 38:26Acts 5:18Matthew 21:352 Chronicles 18:26Jeremiah 26:16Genesis 39:20

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