Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who want to kill you.” New Living Translation So King Zedekiah secretly promised him, “As surely as the LORD our Creator lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to the men who want you dead.” English Standard Version Then King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who made our souls, I will not put you to death or deliver you into the hand of these men who seek your life.” Berean Standard Bible 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.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As the LORD lives, who made our very souls, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.” New American Standard Bible But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, I certainly will not put you to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking your life.” NASB 1995 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.” NASB 1977 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.” Legacy Standard Bible But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death, nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.” Amplified Bible But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who made our lives, be assured that I will not put you to death or put you into the hand of these men who are seeking your life.” Christian Standard Bible King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private, “As the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who intend to take your life.” Holman Christian Standard Bible King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private, “As the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who want to take your life.” American Standard Version So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As Jehovah 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. Contemporary English Version He said, "I swear in the name of the living LORD our Creator that I won't have you killed. No one else can hear what we say, and I won't let anyone kill you." English Revised 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation So King Zedekiah secretly swore an oath to Jeremiah, "The LORD gave us life. As the LORD lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who want to kill you." Good News Translation So King Zedekiah promised me in secret, "I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you." International Standard Version Then King Zedekiah, in secret, swore an oath to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life to live, I won't have you put to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking to kill you." NET Bible So King Zedekiah made a secret promise to Jeremiah and sealed it with an oath. He promised, "As surely as the LORD lives who has given us life and breath, I promise you this: I will not kill you or hand you over to those men who want to kill you." New Heart English Bible So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, "As the LORD lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life." Webster's Bible Translation So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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.” World English Bible So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made our souls, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd King Zedekiah swears to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “YHWH lives, He who made this soul for us, I do not put you to death, nor give you into the hand of these men who are seeking your soul.” Young's Literal Translation And the king Zedekiah sweareth unto Jeremiah in secret, saying, 'Jehovah liveth, He who made for us this soul, I do not put thee to death, nor give thee unto the hand of these men who are seeking thy soul.' Smith's Literal Translation And king Zedekiah will swear to Jeremiah in secret, saying, Jehovah lives who made to us this soul, if I shall put thee to death, and if I shall give thee into the hand of these men who are seeking thy soul. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen king Sedecias swore to Jeremias, in private, saying: As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, nor will I deliver thee into the hands of these men that seek thy life. Catholic Public Domain Version Then king Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah, secretly, saying: “As the Lord lives, who made this soul for us, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of those men who are seeking your life.” New American Bible But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah secretly: “As the LORD lives who gave us our lives, I will not kill you, nor will I hand you over to those men who seek your life.” New Revised Standard Version So King Zedekiah swore an oath in secret to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who gave us our lives, I will not put you to death or hand you over to these men who seek your life.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah in the palace, saying, As the LORD lives, who created soul in us, I will not put you to death, neither will I deliver you into the hand of these men who seek your life. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And King Tsedeqia swore to Jeremiah in the house secretly, and said: “Living is LORD JEHOVAH who made a soul in us, that I shall not kill you, and I shall not hand you over into the hand of those men who seek your life!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So Zedekiah the king swore 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king swore to him, saying, As the Lord lives who gave us this soul, I will not slay thee, neither will I give thee into the hands of these men. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Rescued…15“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.” 16But 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.” 17Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive.… Cross References 1 Samuel 19:6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.” 1 Kings 2:23-24 Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life. / And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!” 2 Kings 6:31 He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!” 2 Kings 25:24 And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.” 2 Chronicles 36:13 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. Nehemiah 6:11 But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!” Psalm 15:4 who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath, Psalm 24:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. Psalm 76:11 Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... Matthew 14:9 The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted Mark 6:26 The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her. Acts 23:12-14 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. Treasury of Scripture So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD lives, that made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men that seek your life. sware. Jeremiah 37:17 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon. John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. that made. Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? Numbers 27:16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. of these. Jeremiah 38:1-6 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 34:20 I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth. Jump to Previous Death Hand Jeremiah Life Oath Secret Secretly Seek Seeking Soul Souls Surely Sware Swore Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJump to Next Death Hand Jeremiah Life Oath Secret Secretly Seek Seeking Soul Souls Surely Sware Swore Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJeremiah 38 1. Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.7. Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement. 14. Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life. 24. By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes. But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, ruled during a tumultuous period marked by the Babylonian siege. His secretive oath to Jeremiah highlights the political tension and fear of public opinion. Zedekiah's clandestine actions reflect his weak leadership and fear of his officials, who opposed Jeremiah's prophecies. This secrecy contrasts with the boldness of prophets like Jeremiah, who openly declared God's messages despite personal risk. “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.” Persons / Places / Events 1. King ZedekiahThe last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of the Babylonian siege. He is depicted as a weak leader, often swayed by his officials and fearful of public opinion. 2. Jeremiah A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance in the face of persecution. 3. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the ultimate authority and giver of life, as acknowledged by Zedekiah in his oath. 4. The Men Seeking Jeremiah's Life Officials and others in Judah who opposed Jeremiah's prophecies and sought to silence him, viewing his messages as treasonous. 5. The Secret Oath An event where Zedekiah privately assures Jeremiah of his safety, highlighting the king's internal conflict and fear of his own officials. Teaching Points The Fear of Man vs. the Fear of GodZedekiah's actions reveal the struggle between fearing human opinion and fearing God. Believers are called to prioritize God's will over human approval. God's Sovereignty and Protection Despite human threats, God's sovereignty ensures the fulfillment of His purposes. Jeremiah's life is preserved as part of God's plan. Integrity in Leadership Zedekiah's secret oath contrasts with the integrity expected of leaders. Christian leaders are called to be transparent and courageous in their convictions. The Power of a Secret Commitment Zedekiah's private assurance to Jeremiah shows the impact of personal commitments. Believers are encouraged to make and keep commitments to God and others, even when not publicly acknowledged. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 38:16?2. How does Jeremiah 38:16 demonstrate God's sovereignty in difficult situations? 3. What can we learn about integrity from Zedekiah's oath in Jeremiah 38:16? 4. How does Zedekiah's promise relate to God's protection in Psalm 91? 5. How can we apply Zedekiah's commitment to our own promises today? 6. What does Jeremiah 38:16 teach about trusting God's plan over human assurances? 7. What does Jeremiah 38:16 reveal about King Zedekiah's character and leadership? 8. How does Jeremiah 38:16 reflect the theme of divine protection in the Bible? 9. Why does King Zedekiah swear an oath in Jeremiah 38:16, and what is its significance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38? 11. In Jeremiah 37:2, how can we reconcile the claim that King Zedekiah and his officials refused to listen to God's word with other passages suggesting they occasionally sought Jeremiah's counsel? 12. How does Jeremiah 6:16's call for following the 'ancient paths' align or conflict with similar instructions elsewhere in Scripture, such as Deuteronomy's repeated emphasis on covenant law? 13. Jeremiah 16:2 forbids Jeremiah from marrying or having children--how does this reconcile with earlier Biblical commands to 'be fruitful and multiply'? 14. How can Jeremiah 21:2 claim the Lord would not rescue Jerusalem when other passages promise divine protection for the city? What Does Jeremiah 38:16 Mean But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah• The king’s oath takes place “secretly,” revealing his ongoing fear of the princes who had just cast Jeremiah into the cistern (Jeremiah 38:4–6). • Like Nicodemus visiting Jesus by night (John 3:1–2), Zedekiah wants spiritual counsel without public cost, illustrating Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man is a snare.” • His secrecy also underlines the prophet’s isolation yet God’s continual protection (Jeremiah 37:17). “As surely as the LORD lives • This common oath formula (Ruth 3:13; 1 Samuel 14:39) ties the promise to God’s own unchanging life. • Hebrews 6:16 notes that people swear by someone greater; Zedekiah invokes the highest authority, underscoring the seriousness of his words even while he wavers in courage. • By rooting the oath in the Lord’s life, he implicitly acknowledges God’s supremacy over earthly kings. who has given us this life • The king confesses that every breath is a gift from God (Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:25), an echo of Job 12:10: “In His hand is the life of every creature.” • Such a confession should have led him to obey God’s prophetic word without hesitation, yet his later actions show the difference between verbal assent and heartfelt submission. I will not kill you • Zedekiah vows personal restraint, promising he himself will not execute Jeremiah. • The promise mirrors the earlier protection Jeremiah received from Ahikam (Jeremiah 26:24) and points to God’s ongoing shield around His servant, fulfilling Psalm 105:14, “He permitted no man to oppress them.” • It reminds us that even when rulers threaten, God’s purpose for His messengers stands firm (James 5:6 contrasts the unjust killing of the righteous by those with earthly power). nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life • The king extends the pledge: not only will he refrain from harm, he will also block the hostile officials (Jeremiah 38:4, 9) from finishing the job. • God often uses reluctant leaders to safeguard His servants, as with Saul’s change of heart toward David in 1 Samuel 24:17 or Pilate’s repeated efforts to release Jesus (Luke 23:20). • Proverbs 21:1 reassures that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,” and Isaiah 54:17 promises, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper,” themes embodied in Jeremiah’s preservation. summary Jeremiah 38:16 captures a conflicted king swearing a secret oath that acknowledges God’s sovereignty yet reveals his fear of men. By invoking the living LORD who gives life, Zedekiah vows not to harm Jeremiah nor surrender him to murderous officials. The verse highlights: • God’s ultimate control over rulers and events. • The sacred weight of oaths made in God’s name. • The divine protection granted to faithful servants amid opposition. Though Zedekiah’s courage falters later, this moment affirms that the Lord’s word through Jeremiah will not be silenced, and His purposes will prevail. (16) As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul.--The formula of the oath was obviously intended to be one of unusual solemnity; more so even than the simpler form of "The Lord liveth" (Jeremiah 16:14-15). The king swears by Jehovah as the living God, author and giver of his own life. The two-fold promise shows that the king felt the implied reproof of Jeremiah's question. He separates himself from those who sought the prophet's life, and declares that for the future he will not give them even the sanction of acquiescence. It is characteristic of his weakness that even now the oath is given secretly.Verse 16. - That made us this soul. A very unusual formula (comp. Isaiah 57:16).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But Kingהַמֶּ֧לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֛הוּ (ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites swore וַיִּשָּׁבַ֞ע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear to אֶֽל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites secretly, בַּסֵּ֣תֶר (bas·sê·ṯer) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy “As surely as the LORD יְהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel lives, חַי־ (ḥay-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life who אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that has given עָשָׂה־ (‘ā·śāh-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make us this הַזֹּאת֙ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, life, הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ (han·ne·p̄eš) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion I will not אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not kill you אֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ (’ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill or hand you over to אֶתֶּנְךָ֗ (’et·ten·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set these הָאֵ֔לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those men הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that are seeking מְבַקְשִׁ֖ים (mə·ḇaq·šîm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after your life.” נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ (nap̄·še·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Links Jeremiah 38:16 NIVJeremiah 38:16 NLT Jeremiah 38:16 ESV Jeremiah 38:16 NASB Jeremiah 38:16 KJV Jeremiah 38:16 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 38:16 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 38:16 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 38:16 French Bible Jeremiah 38:16 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:16 So Zedekiah the king swore secretly (Jer.) |
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