Jeremiah 38:16 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, {As} the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.”

Jeremiah 38:16

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that {is} in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me. {third: or, principal}

Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare {it} unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, {As} the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

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Jeremiah 38:1

"Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,"

Jeremiah 38:2

"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."

Jeremiah 38:3

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

Jeremiah 38:4

"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}"

Jeremiah 38:5

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

Jeremiah 38:6

"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}"

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