King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 39:12 Mean?
“Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm ; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. look: Heb. set thine eyes upon him”
Jeremiah 39:12 · KJV
Context
10
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time. at the: Heb. in that day
11
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, to: Heb. by the hand of
12
Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm ; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. look: Heb. set thine eyes upon him
13
So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
14
Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryTake him, and look well to him (עֵינֶךָ שִׂים עָלָיו, eynekha sim alav)—Literally 'set your eye upon him,' meaning to watch carefully, attend to his needs. The phrase sim ayin denotes protective oversight. Nebuchadnezzar commands what Zedekiah refused—careful attention to Jeremiah's words and welfare.
And do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee (כַּאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ, ka'asher yedabber eleykha)—Complete deference to the prophet's wishes. The pagan king grants Jeremiah authority that Judah's king denied him. God had promised, 'I am with you to deliver you' (1:8, 19)—and His deliverance came through Babylon itself. This recalls how Pharaoh's daughter preserved Moses, and how Cyrus would later facilitate temple rebuilding. God's purposes transcend national boundaries.
And do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee (כַּאֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר אֵלֶיךָ, ka'asher yedabber eleykha)—Complete deference to the prophet's wishes. The pagan king grants Jeremiah authority that Judah's king denied him. God had promised, 'I am with you to deliver you' (1:8, 19)—and His deliverance came through Babylon itself. This recalls how Pharaoh's daughter preserved Moses, and how Cyrus would later facilitate temple rebuilding. God's purposes transcend national boundaries.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Jeremiah's pro-Babylonian prophecies (27:6-11, 38:17-23) made him valuable to Nebuchadnezzar as a potential stabilizing voice among the remaining population. From a purely political standpoint, protecting someone who had counseled surrender made strategic sense. However, from a theological perspective, God was sovereignly orchestrating events to preserve His prophetic witness through the catastrophe.
Reflection Questions
- How does Babylon's treatment of Jeremiah contrast with Judah's treatment of him, and what does this reveal about religious profession versus reality?
- When has God's protection come from unexpected sources during difficult circumstances?
- How does this passage illustrate Jesus's words that a prophet is without honor in his own country (Matthew 13:57)?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 17 wordsוְעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙2 of 17
“him and look well”
H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
שִׂ֣ים3 of 17
H7760to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָלָ֔יו4 of 17
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאַל5 of 17
H408not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
ל֖וֹ7 of 17
H0מְא֣וּמָה8 of 17
“him no harm”
H3972properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
כִּ֗י10 of 17
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם11 of 17
H518used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙12 of 17
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֣ר13 of 17
“unto him even as he shall say”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֵּ֖ן15 of 17
H3651properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
עִמּֽוֹ׃17 of 17
H5973adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
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 39:12 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 39:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge