Jeremiah 32:3
New International Version
Now Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him there, saying, “Why do you prophesy as you do? You say, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

New Living Translation
King Zedekiah had put him there, asking why he kept giving this prophecy: “This is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it.

English Standard Version
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why do you prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall capture it;

Berean Standard Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

King James Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

New King James Version
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

New American Standard Bible
because Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it;

NASB 1995
because Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will take it;

NASB 1977
because Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will take it;

Legacy Standard Bible
because Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it;

Amplified Bible
For Zedekiah [the last] king of Judah had locked him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy [disaster] and say, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah of Judah had imprisoned him, saying, “Why are you prophesying as you do? You say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look, I am about to hand this city over to Babylon’s king, and he will capture it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look, I am about to hand this city over to Babylon’s king, and he will capture it.

American Standard Version
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Contemporary English Version
Zedekiah had ordered me to be held there because I told everyone that the LORD had said: I am the LORD, and I am about to let the king of Babylonia conquer Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When King Zedekiah of Judah locked up Jeremiah, Zedekiah asked him, "Why are you prophesying? You are saying, 'This is what the LORD says: I'm going to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

Good News Translation
King Zedekiah had imprisoned me there and had accused me of announcing that the LORD had said, "I am going to let the king of Babylonia capture this city,

International Standard Version
where Zedekiah had confined him. Zedekiah had said, "Why did you prophesy and say these things? You said, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

Majority Standard Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: ?Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ?Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.

NET Bible
For King Zedekiah had confined Jeremiah there after he had reproved him for prophesying as he did. He had asked Jeremiah, "Why do you keep prophesying these things? Why do you keep saying that the LORD says, 'I will hand this city over to the king of Babylon? I will let him capture it.

New Heart English Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, "Why do you prophesy, and say, 'Thus says the LORD, "Look, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Webster's Bible Translation
For Zedekiah king of Judah had confined him, saying, Why dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

World English Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, “Why do you prophesy, and say, ‘Yahweh says, “Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will take it;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
where Zedekiah king of Judah has shut him up, saying, “Why are you prophesying, saying, Thus said YHWH: Behold, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he has captured it;

Young's Literal Translation
Where Zedekiah king of Judah hath shut him up, saying, 'Wherefore art thou prophesying, saying, Thus said Jehovah, Lo, I am giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he hath captured it;

Smith's Literal Translation
For Zedekiah king of Judah shut him up, saying, Wherefore prophesiest thou, saying, Thus said Jehovah, Behold me giving this city into the hand of the king of Babel, and he took it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For Sedecias king of Juda had shut him up, saying: Why dost thou prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For Zedekiah, the king of Judah, had confined him, saying: “Why do you make predictions, saying: ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it?

New American Bible
Zedekiah, king of Judah, had confined him there, saying: “How dare you prophesy: Thus says the LORD: I am handing this city over to the king of Babylon that he may capture it.

New Revised Standard Version
where King Zedekiah of Judah had confined him. Zedekiah had said, “Why do you prophesy and say: Thus says the LORD: I am going to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Why do you prophesy and say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For Tsedeqia King of Judea had shut him up and he said: “Why do you prophesy and say, ‘Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, behold, I deliver this city into the hands of the King of Babel, and he shall enslave it
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying: 'Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
in which king Sedekias had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Buys Hanamel's Field
2At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard, which was in the palace of the king of Judah. 3For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 4Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye.…

Cross References
2 Kings 25:1-7
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. ...

2 Chronicles 36:11-13
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. / He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Jeremiah 37:17-21
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” / Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people, that you have put me in prison? / Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, claiming, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or this land’? ...

Jeremiah 38:14-28
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.” ...

Jeremiah 39:1-7
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. / Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. ...

Ezekiel 17:15-21
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. ...

Ezekiel 21:25-27
And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted. / A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’

Matthew 24:15-22
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. ...

Luke 21:20-24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ...

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

Acts 4:27-28
In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. / They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

Acts 5:17-18
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Acts 12:1-5
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. / He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. / And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ...

Acts 23:12-24
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 24:24-27
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” / At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Why do you prophesy, and say, Thus said the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 2:30
In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

Jeremiah 5:3
O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

2 Kings 6:31,32
Then he said, God do so and more also to me, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stand on him this day…

wherefore.

Jeremiah 26:8,9
Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die…

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.

Exodus 5:4
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

behold.

Jeremiah 32:28,29
Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: …

Jeremiah 21:4-7
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city…

Jeremiah 27:8
And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.

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Jeremiah 32
1. Jeremiah, being imprisoned by Zedekiah for his prophecy,
6. buys Hanameel's field.
13. Baruch must preserve the evidences, as tokens of the people's return.
16. Jeremiah in his prayer complains to God.
26. God confirms the captivity for their sins;
36. and promises a gracious return.














For Zedekiah king of Judah
Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, reigned during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and spiritual decline. His name, meaning "The Lord is my righteousness," stands in stark contrast to his actions, which often reflected a lack of faith and obedience to God. Historically, Zedekiah was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as a vassal king, which placed him in a precarious position between loyalty to Babylon and the nationalistic pressures from his own people. His reign is a poignant reminder of the consequences of failing to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance.

had imprisoned him
Jeremiah's imprisonment by Zedekiah is emblematic of the rejection of God's prophetic word by those in power. The Hebrew root for "imprisoned" (אָסַר, 'asar) conveys the idea of binding or confining, which not only describes Jeremiah's physical state but also symbolizes the spiritual bondage of Judah's leadership. This act of silencing the prophet reflects a broader theme in Scripture where God's messengers often face persecution for speaking truth to power. It serves as a call to believers to remain steadfast in their witness, even in the face of opposition.

saying, 'Why are you prophesying
Zedekiah's question reveals a deep-seated resistance to the divine message. The act of prophesying (נָבָא, naba) in the Hebrew context is not merely foretelling future events but is a declaration of God's will and purpose. Zedekiah's challenge to Jeremiah's prophecy underscores a common human tendency to question and resist uncomfortable truths, especially those that call for repentance and change. This phrase invites reflection on the importance of humility and openness to God's word, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or desires.

‘This is what the LORD says
The phrase "This is what the LORD says" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, koh amar Yahweh) is a prophetic formula that asserts the authority and authenticity of the message. It emphasizes that the words spoken by Jeremiah are not his own but are divinely inspired. This declaration serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God over all earthly powers and the reliability of His word. In a world where many voices compete for attention, this phrase calls believers to discernment and trust in the divine revelation found in Scripture.

I am about to hand this city over
The impending judgment on Jerusalem is a central theme in Jeremiah's prophecies. The phrase "I am about to hand this city over" reflects God's sovereign control over the fate of nations. The Hebrew verb (נָתַן, natan) translated as "hand over" conveys the idea of giving or delivering, indicating that the fall of Jerusalem is not merely a result of political or military factors but is orchestrated by God as a consequence of the people's persistent disobedience. This serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice.

to the king of Babylon
The mention of the "king of Babylon" highlights the geopolitical realities of the time. Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, was the dominant world power, and its rise was used by God as an instrument of judgment against Judah. This historical context underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to use even pagan rulers to accomplish His purposes. It challenges believers to recognize God's hand in world events and to trust in His ultimate plan, even when circumstances seem dire.

and he will capture it.’
The certainty of Jerusalem's capture is a fulfillment of God's prophetic word. The verb "capture" (לָכַד, lakad) implies a complete and decisive conquest, reflecting the inevitability of God's judgment when His warnings are ignored. This phrase serves as both a warning and a call to repentance, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God. It also offers hope, as the fulfillment of prophecy assures believers of the reliability of God's promises, including those of restoration and redemption for those who turn back to Him.

Verse 3. - Had shut him up. A brief and general account of the circumstances related more in full in ch. 37. For the prophecies referred to, see Jeremiah 34:3-5; Jeremiah 37:17; Jeremiah 38:17-23 (the following verse is almost identical with Jeremiah 34:3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Zedekiah
צִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ (ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

had imprisoned him,
כְּלָא֔וֹ (kə·lā·’ōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3607: To shut up, restrain, withhold

saying:
לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Why
מַדּוּעַ֩ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

are you
אַתָּ֨ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

prophesying
נִבָּ֜א (nib·bā)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

that
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says:
לֵאמֹ֗ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Behold,
הִנְנִ֨י (hin·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

I am about to hand this
הַזֹּ֛את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

city
הָעִ֥יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

over to
נֹתֵ֜ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon,
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

and he will capture it.
וּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ (ū·lə·ḵā·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 32:3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut (Jer.)
Jeremiah 32:2
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