Lexical Summary peqiduth: Oversight, visitation, appointment, charge Original Word: פְקִדֻת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ward From paqiyd; supervision -- ward. see HEBREW paqiyd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paqad Definition oversight NASB Translation guard (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְּקִדֻת noun feminine oversight; — ׳בַּעַל פ Jeremiah 37:13 sentinel. Topical Lexicon Overview of the ConceptWhile appearing only once in the Old Testament, פְקִדֻת portrays the idea of official oversight or charge. The singular occurrence in Jeremiah reveals a concrete military context, yet the underlying notion of responsible supervision reverberates through Scripture, linking the term thematically to God-ordained accountability, faithful stewardship, and protective leadership. Historical Context in Jeremiah 37 Jeremiah 37 describes the tense final years of King Zedekiah of Judah, besieged by Babylon and racked with internal intrigue. At the “Gate of Benjamin,” the prophet Jeremiah is confronted by “the captain of the guard” (בַּעַל־הַפְּקִדֻת). The officer, Irijah son of Shelemiah, accuses Jeremiah of treason as the prophet seeks to obey God’s instruction to proclaim surrender (Jeremiah 37:13: “the captain of the guard”). In that moment פְקִדֻת embodies an institutional watchfulness—an authority charged with protecting the city, yet misdirected against God’s messenger. Military and Administrative Nuances Ancient Near Eastern kingdoms often appointed a single official who combined police, judicial, and military duties at a city gate or royal court. The “owner of the oversight” (literally, “master of the פְקִדֻת”) held power to arrest, question, and, if needed, execute orders of the king. Jeremiah’s seizure thus highlights: • The gate as a locus of justice and security. Theological Themes of Oversight 1. Divine Visitation versus Human Surveillance The broader verbal root (פקד) is frequently used for God’s “visiting” His people in blessing or judgment (Genesis 50:24; Exodus 4:31). In Jeremiah 37, however, the focus is on fallible human oversight. The contrast underscores that all earthly offices answer to the ultimate Overseer (Psalm 33:13-15). 2. Accountability of Leaders Scripture consistently ties authority to responsibility. Irijah’s misuse of power illustrates how leaders who disregard God’s word bring harm (cf. Ezekiel 34:2-10). Conversely, faithful oversight guards the flock (Proverbs 27:23). 3. Prophetic Suffering under Misapplied Authority Jeremiah’s arrest prefigures later persecution of faithful witnesses, culminating in Christ Himself under Roman jurisdiction (John 19:10-11). It reminds believers that obedience to God may entail misunderstanding by worldly powers. Canonical Bridges to the New Testament Greek ἐπίσκοπος (“overseer”), rooted in similar ideas of watchful care, surfaces in Acts 20:28, Philippians 1:1, and 1 Peter 2:25. Church elders are to mirror God’s righteous פְקִדֻת—“exercising oversight…eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2). The pattern moves from a solitary palace officer in Jeremiah to a plurality of servants in Christ’s body, each accountable to the “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). Practical Ministry Applications • Guard the Gate: Local church leadership must discern truth from error, protecting congregations without quenching prophetic voices. Devotional Reflection Jeremiah submitted to arrest because his conscience was captive to God’s word. Modern believers, whether leaders or laity, face the same choice whenever institutional oversight collides with divine command. The solitary appearance of פְקִדֻת stands as a subtle yet potent reminder: every steward, from palace guard to church elder, ultimately answers to the King who “examines the hearts and minds” (Jeremiah 17:10). Forms and Transliterations פְּקִדֻ֔ת פקדת pə·qi·ḏuṯ pekiDut pəqiḏuṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 37:13 HEB: וְשָׁם֙ בַּ֣עַל פְּקִדֻ֔ת וּשְׁמוֹ֙ יִרְאִיָּ֔יה NAS: a captain of the guard whose name KJV: a captain of the ward [was] there, whose name INT: was there A captain of the guard name was Irijah 1 Occurrence |
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