King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 37:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 37:21 in the King James Version says “Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should giv... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 37:21 · KJV


Context

19

Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?

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. let: Heb. let my supplication fall

21

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
King Zedekiah commits Jeremiah to 'the court of the prison' and orders daily bread while available. Despite his fear of officials (38:5), Zedekiah protects Jeremiah from execution. This ambivalence characterizes Zedekiah - drawn to God's prophet but lacking courage to obey. God providentially preserves His servant even through an irresolute king.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This imprisonment in the court of the prison (a less harsh confinement) lasted until Jerusalem's fall (38:28). God sustained Jeremiah throughout.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes use unlikely people to accomplish His protective purposes?
  2. What does Zedekiah's ambivalence teach about the dangers of spiritual indecision?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיְצַוֶּ֞ה1 of 25

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ2 of 25

the king

H4428

a king

צִדְקִיָּ֗הוּ3 of 25

Then Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

וַיַּפְקִ֣דוּ4 of 25

that they should commit

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶֽת5 of 25
H853

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

יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ6 of 25

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

בַּחֲצַ֖ר7 of 25

in the court

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃8 of 25

of the prison

H4307

a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)

וְנָתֹן֩9 of 25

and that they should give

H5414

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

ל֨וֹ10 of 25
H0
כִכַּר11 of 25

a piece

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

הַלֶּ֖חֶם12 of 25

of bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

לַיּוֹם֙13 of 25

him daily

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מִח֣וּץ14 of 25

' street

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

הָאֹפִ֔ים15 of 25

out of the bakers

H644

to cook, especially to bake

עַד16 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

תֹּ֥ם17 of 25

were spent

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

כָּל18 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַלֶּ֖חֶם19 of 25

of bread

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

מִן20 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִ֑יר21 of 25

in the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב22 of 25

remained

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ23 of 25

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

בַּחֲצַ֖ר24 of 25

in the court

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

הַמַּטָּרָֽה׃25 of 25

of the prison

H4307

a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)


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 37:21 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 37:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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