King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:6 in the King James Version says “Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the pr... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 38:6 · KJV


Context

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

7

Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;

8

Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The princes cast Jeremiah into a muddy cistern where 'he sank in the mire.' This attempted murder through exposure and slow death shows the depths of opposition to God's word. Yet God preserves His prophet through Ebed-melech's intervention (38:7-13). Faithful witnesses often face death threats, but God's purposes prevail. The cistern foreshadows Christ's burial and resurrection.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cisterns were deep pits for water storage. When empty, they became prisons or execution chambers. Jeremiah's rescue from the miry clay echoes Psalm 40:2.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you persevere when opposition to God's truth becomes life-threatening?
  2. What does Jeremiah's deliverance from the cistern teach about God's faithfulness to His servants?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וַיִּקְח֣וּ1 of 26

Then took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶֽת2 of 26
H853

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

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ3 of 26

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

וַיַּשְׁלִ֨כוּ4 of 26

and cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֹת֜וֹ5 of 26
H853

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

אֶל6 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּבַבּ֤וֹר7 of 26

And in the dungeon

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

מַלְכִּיָּ֣הוּ8 of 26

of Malchiah

H4441

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

בֶן9 of 26

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ10 of 26
H4429

melek, the name of two israelites

אֲשֶׁר֙11 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בַּחֲצַ֣ר12 of 26

that was in the court

H2691

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

הַמַּטָּרָ֔ה13 of 26

of the prison

H4307

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

וַיְשַׁלְּח֥וּ14 of 26

and they let down

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶֽת15 of 26
H853

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

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ16 of 26

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

בַּחֲבָלִ֑ים17 of 26

with cords

H2256

ruin

וּבַבּ֤וֹר18 of 26

And in the dungeon

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

אֵֽין19 of 26
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַ֙יִם֙20 of 26

there was no water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

כִּ֣י21 of 26
H3588

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

אִם22 of 26
H518

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

בַּטִּֽיט׃23 of 26

but mire

H2916

mud or clay; figuratively, calamity

וַיִּטְבַּ֥ע24 of 26

sunk

H2883

to sink

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ25 of 26

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

בַּטִּֽיט׃26 of 26

but mire

H2916

mud or clay; figuratively, calamity


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 38:6 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 38:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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