King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:4 in the King James Version says “Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. welfare: Heb. peace

Jeremiah 38:4 · KJV


Context

2

Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live .

3

Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.

4

Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. welfare: Heb. peace

5

Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

6

Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. of Hammelech: or, of the king


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The officials' accusation that Jeremiah 'weakeneth the hands' of soldiers and people charges him with treason. From their perspective, prophesying surrender undermines morale and national defense. Yet Jeremiah seeks the people's welfare (shalom) by calling them to submit to God's will rather than resist it. Sometimes God's welfare differs from worldly prosperity. Truth-telling may appear to harm the cause while actually serving it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This accusation led to Jeremiah being thrown into a muddy cistern to die. Prophetic ministry often appears disloyal to earthly kingdoms while serving the heavenly kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. When has speaking God's truth been perceived as disloyalty or harmful?
  2. How do you navigate the tension between patriotism and prophetic witness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 40 words
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ1 of 40

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַשָּׂרִ֜ים2 of 40

Therefore the princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אֶל3 of 40
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ4 of 40

unto the king

H4428

a king

י֣וּמַת5 of 40

be put to death

H4191

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

נָא֮6 of 40
H4994

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

אֶת7 of 40
H853

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

הָאִ֣ישׁ8 of 40

We beseech thee let this man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַזֶּה֒9 of 40
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּֽי10 of 40
H3588

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

עַל11 of 40
H5921

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

כֵּ֡ן12 of 40

for thus

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הֽוּא13 of 40
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מְרַפֵּ֡א14 of 40

he weakeneth

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

אֶת15 of 40
H853

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

יְדֵ֣י16 of 40

and the hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָאִ֣ישׁ17 of 40

We beseech thee let this man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה18 of 40

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים׀19 of 40

that remain

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בָּעִ֣יר20 of 40

in this city

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֗את21 of 40
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְאֵת֙22 of 40
H853

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

יְדֵ֣י23 of 40

and the hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כָל24 of 40
H3605

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

לָעָ֥ם25 of 40

of all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לְדַבֵּ֣ר26 of 40

in speaking

H1696

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

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם27 of 40
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים28 of 40

such words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֑לֶּה29 of 40
H428

these or those

כִּ֣י׀30 of 40
H3588

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

הָאִ֣ישׁ31 of 40

We beseech thee let this man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַזֶּ֗ה32 of 40
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֵינֶ֨נּוּ33 of 40
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

דֹרֵ֧שׁ34 of 40

seeketh

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

לְשָׁל֛וֹם35 of 40

not the welfare

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

לָעָ֥ם36 of 40

of all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֖ה37 of 40
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֥י38 of 40
H3588

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

אִם39 of 40
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לְרָעָֽה׃40 of 40

but the hurt

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)


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 38:4 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 38:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study