King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:25 in the King James Version says “But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now wh... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:

Jeremiah 38:25 · KJV


Context

23

So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire. thou shalt cause: Heb. thou shalt burn, etc

24

Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

25

But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:

26

Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.

27

Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. they: Heb. they were silent from him


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee—Zedekiah's fear of discovery dominates his thinking. These princes (particularly those who had thrown Jeremiah in the cistern, 38:4-6) opposed any surrender message. Zedekiah's elaborate contingency planning (vv. 25-26) shows he spent more energy managing political optics than considering whether to obey God.

Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king—The verb nagad (נָגַד, "to declare/tell") echoes verse 15 where Jeremiah feared declaring God's message to Zedekiah. Now the concern is declaring the meeting's content to the princes. We will not put thee to death—This promise from the princes mirrors Zedekiah's oath (v. 16), but both are hollow: these officials had already tried to kill Jeremiah once (38:4-6), and Zedekiah lacked the courage to protect him if they tried again.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Court intrigue in ancient monarchies often centered on access to the king. Officials who learned of secret royal consultations would demand to know what counsel was given, fearing they were being excluded from decision-making or that the king might act on advice contrary to their faction's interests. Zedekiah's fear of his own officials reveals his weak grip on power.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Zedekiah's elaborate cover-up plan reveal about where he had already decided not to obey God?
  2. How does political maneuvering replace spiritual obedience in both ancient and modern religious leadership?
  3. Why craft careful lies to protect a meeting with God's prophet unless you've already rejected the message?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְכִֽי1 of 26
H3588

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

יִשְׁמְע֣וּ2 of 26

hear

H8085

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

הַשָּׂרִים֮3 of 26

But if the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

כִּֽי4 of 26
H3588

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר5 of 26

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִתָּךְ֒6 of 26
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וּבָ֣אוּ7 of 26

with thee and they come

H935

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

אֵלֶ֣יךָ8 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְֽאָמְר֪וּ9 of 26

unto thee and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֟יךָ10 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגִּֽידָה11 of 26

unto thee Declare

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

נָּ֨א12 of 26
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לָ֜נוּ13 of 26
H0
מַה14 of 26
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

דִּבֶּ֥ר15 of 26

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל16 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃17 of 26

also what the king

H4428

a king

אַל18 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּכַחֵ֥ד19 of 26

hide

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

מִמֶּ֖נּוּ20 of 26
H4480

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

וְלֹ֣א21 of 26
H3808

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

נְמִיתֶ֑ךָ22 of 26

it not from us and we will not put thee to death

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וּמַה23 of 26
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

דִּבֶּ֥ר24 of 26

said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶ֖יךָ25 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃26 of 26

also what the king

H4428

a king


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 38:25 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 38:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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