Jeremiah 38:1
Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah was saying to all the people:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These four princes, enemies of Jeremiah, weren't just randomly listening in; they actively sought out and overheard his message to the people. The text highlights that they "heard the words that Jeremiah was saying," implying a deliberate act of eavesdropping on a prophet already imprisoned, showing their intense opposition and eagerness to silence God's messenger.
Jeremiah, recently moved to a slightly freer confinement, has been speaking God's message to the people: surrender to the Babylonians means life, but staying in Jerusalem means death by sword, famine, or plague. Four powerful princes, hearing these words that seemed to undermine the city's defenses, immediately reported Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, accusing him of weakening the people and seeking their hurt, and demanding his death.
Jeremiah was speaking truth to the people, but for some, his words were a dangerous spark. Have you ever seen how powerful words can be, especially when things are falling apart?
This verse introduces us to a critical moment in Jerusalem's history. The city is under siege, and the people are desperate. Jeremiah, God's prophet, is speaking words of warning and instruction to them.
Speaking Truth Amidst Fear
Notice that Jeremiah isn't whispering secrets. He's speaking "to all the people." In times of immense pressure and fear, clear communication is vital. Jeremiah's message, though difficult, was intended for everyone's ears, offering a path to survival.
The Reaction of the Powerful
But not everyone welcomed Jeremiah's message. The text names four prominent men – Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashur – who heard his words. These weren't just ordinary citizens; they were princes, men of influence. Their hearing of the words immediately sets the stage for conflict. In times of crisis, the powerful often react strongly to messages that challenge the status quo or threaten their authority.
These weren't just any men; they were princes. What does it mean when those in power become the primary opposition to God's message?
The four men named in this verse – Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashur – weren't just listeners; they were princes. This detail is crucial because it tells us that opposition to Jeremiah's message came from the highest levels of leadership in Jerusalem.
The Anti-Theocratic Faction
Commentaries suggest these men formed a faction actively opposed to God's will and Jeremiah's prophetic role. They weren't interested in listening to God's counsel through Jeremiah; their priority was maintaining their own power and the city's resistance, regardless of God's decree.
From Hearing to Action
This verse captures a pivotal moment during the final, desperate days of Jerusalem's siege. The princes who oppose Jeremiah represent a faction clinging to resistance, directly clashing with Jeremiah's message of surrender to the conquering Babylonians.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports Jewish exiles, including Daniel, to Babylon, marking the beginning of Judah's subjugation.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Jerusalem is besieged and a second wave of exiles, including King Jehoiachin and Ezekiel, are taken to Babylon.
c. 589 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem after King Zedekiah rebels against Babylonian rule.
c. 588 BC
Egyptian Army Advances
Pharaoh Necho II's Egyptian army marches to support Judah, forcing the Babylonians to temporarily lift the siege of Jerusalem.
c. 588 BC— this verse
This passage shows a similar instance where a prince, Pashur, actively opposed Jeremiah, even striking and imprisoning him, highlighting the recurring theme of prophetic persecution by authorities.
Jeremiah 26:10-11Here, the princes explicitly accuse Jeremiah of weakening the people and the army by his prophecies, mirroring the very charge brought against him in Jeremiah 38:4, demonstrating a consistent pattern of opposition from the leadership.
Ezekiel 3:17-19This passage from Ezekiel describes the prophet's role as a watchman and the heavy burden of warning the wicked, which resonates with Jeremiah's difficult message and the consequences he faced from those who heard it.
1 Kings 22:24-28This narrative shows another prophet, Micaiah, being struck and imprisoned for delivering a message that contradicted the prevailing counsel to King Ahab, illustrating the danger prophets faced when their words challenged those in power.
calvinJeremiah 38:1-4: "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,"
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,
Et audivit Saphatias fillus Matthew tam, et Guadalias filius Passhur, e…
pooleJeremiah 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 prophesieth; is by the princes, with the king’s permission, cast into a dungeon; but is by Ebed-melech, with the king’s consent, taken out again, Jeremiah 38:1-13 . He hath a secret conference with the king, in which he counselleth him by yielding to save his life, Jeremi…
These four princes, enemies of Jeremiah, weren't just randomly listening in; they actively sought out and overheard his message to the people. The text highlights that they "heard the words that Jeremiah was saying," implying a deliberate act of eavesdropping on a prophet already imprisoned, showing their intense opposition and eagerness to silence God's messenger.
Jeremiah, recently moved to a slightly freer confinement, has been speaking God's message to the people: surrender to the Babylonians means life, but staying in Jerusalem means death by sword, famine, or plague. Four powerful princes, hearing these words that seemed to undermine the city's defenses, immediately reported Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, accusing him of weakening the people and seeking their hurt, and demanding his death.
Jeremiah, recently moved to a slightly freer confinement, has been speaking God's message to the people: surrender to the Babylonians means life, but staying in Jerusalem means death by sword, famine, or plague. Four powerful princes, hearing these words that seemed to undermine the city's defenses, immediately reported Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, accusing him of weakening the people and seeking their hurt, and demanding his death.
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While the verse only states they 'heard' the words, the subsequent verses (which are not included here but are referenced in the scholarly context) show their immediate reaction: they plotted against Jeremiah and brought him before the king, demanding his death. This demonstrates that for these princes, hearing God's word was not an invitation to repentance or obedience, but a catalyst for silencing the messenger.
Jeremiah's Imprisonment and Trial
Jeremiah is arrested on suspicion of desertion and imprisoned by officials who oppose his message of surrender. He is later moved to the court of the guard.
c. 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar's forces breach Jerusalem's walls, leading to the city's destruction and a third, massive deportation of its people.
"Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah was saying to all the people:" — These four princes, enemies of Jeremiah, weren't just randomly listening in; they actively sought out and overheard his message to the people. The text highlights that they "heard the words that Jere…
