King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 38:20 Mean?
“But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.”
Jeremiah 38:20 · KJV
Context
18
But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
19
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
20
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
21
But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:
22
And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah's house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back. Thy friends: Heb. Men of thy peace
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryJeremiah privately counsels Zedekiah to obey God's word for his own welfare and life. The condition is clear: obedience brings preservation, disobedience brings destruction. Zedekiah's problem wasn't lack of information but lack of faith to act on revealed truth. Many know God's will but fear consequences of obedience more than consequences of disobedience.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
This is Jeremiah's final counsel to Zedekiah. The king's refusal to heed it sealed his fate - he was captured, witnessed his sons' execution, then was blinded and exiled.
Reflection Questions
- What truths from God's word do you struggle to act on due to fear?
- How does Zedekiah's fate warn against knowing God's will but failing to obey?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsלֹ֣א3 of 16
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִתֵּ֑נוּ4 of 16
“They shall not deliver”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שְֽׁמַֽע5 of 16
“thee Obey”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָ֣א׀6 of 16
H4994'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יְהוָ֗ה8 of 16
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 16
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דֹּבֵ֣ר11 of 16
“which I speak”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וְיִ֥יטַב13 of 16
“unto thee so it shall be well”
H3190to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
לְךָ֖14 of 16
H0נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃16 of 16
“unto thee and thy soul”
H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
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 38:20 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 38:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge