King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:26 in the King James Version says “Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jona...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 38:26 · KJV

Context

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

28

So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.

Read Jeremiah 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I presented my supplication before the king—Zedekiah instructed Jeremiah to tell a half-truth: yes, Jeremiah had made a request (supplication, techinnah, תְּחִנָּה), though this was not the meeting's main substance. The verb naphal (נָפַל, "to fall/present") with techinnah describes formal petition protocol.

That he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there—Jeremiah had indeed requested not to be returned to Jonathan's house (37:20), where dungeon conditions nearly killed him. This reference was technically true but deliberately misleading—a lie of omission. Remarkably, Jeremiah obeyed Zedekiah's instruction to conceal their conversation, though it meant participating in deception. This raises difficult questions about the prophet's compliance with the king's cover story, though Jeremiah's primary loyalty to truth is demonstrated throughout his book.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jonathan's house (37:15) had been converted into a prison with dungeon cells. Jeremiah had been confined there in harsh conditions after his arrest for allegedly deserting to the Babylonians. His request to avoid returning there (37:20) was a genuine plea that Zedekiah had granted by keeping him in the court of the guard (37:21).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should we evaluate Jeremiah's participation in Zedekiah's cover story—compliance with authority or compromise with deception?
  2. What tensions exist between truthfulness and protection of confidential conversations, especially when lives are at stake?
  3. Does Jeremiah's cooperation with this half-truth diminish his prophetic integrity, or demonstrate wisdom in a dangerous situation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣1 of 13

“Then thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם2 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מַפִּיל3 of 13

“unto them I presented”

H5307

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

אֲנִ֥י4 of 13
H589

i

תְחִנָּתִ֖י5 of 13

“my supplication”

H8467

graciousness; causatively, entreaty

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 13

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ7 of 13

“the king”

H4428

a king

לְבִלְתִּ֧י8 of 13
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הֲשִׁיבֵ֛נִי9 of 13

“that he would not cause me to return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

בֵּ֥ית10 of 13

“house”

H1004

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

יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן11 of 13

“to Jonathan's”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

לָמ֥וּת12 of 13

“to die”

H4191

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

שָֽׁם׃13 of 13
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

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 38:26 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 38:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 37:20Jeremiah 37:15Jeremiah 42:2Esther 4:8

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