Jeremiah 38:1-13

What does Jeremiah 38:1-13 mean?

It’s easy to just see a list of names here, but notice that two of them are named Pashur. One of them is likely the same official who had Jeremiah beaten and thrown in stocks in chapter 20, showing that Jeremiah’s enemies were persistent and often the same people causing him trouble. This isn't just a new conflict; it's a continuation of long-standing opposition against God's messenger.

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: “Thus says the LORD: He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans shall live. He shall have his life as a prize of war, and live. Thus says the LORD: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and be taken.” Then the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.” So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud. When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate— Ebed-melech went from the king’s house and said to the king, “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Jeremiah 38:1-13 means

Jeremiah, having been moved to the court of the guard, continues to proclaim God's message that surrender to the Babylonians is the only path to survival amidst the city's impending doom. This message reaches the ears of four influential princes, who are already hostile to the prophet's warnings and view his words as a dangerous undermining of Judah's war effort. These princes, eager to silence Jeremiah and protect their own political standing, immediately take action to have him condemned to death.

The Princes' Plot to Silence Truth

Four powerful men hear Jeremiah’s unpopular message and their reaction is swift and severe. What drove their fury and how did they try to stop him?

Jeremiah’s message to the people was a stark warning: stay in Jerusalem and die, or surrender to the Babylonians and live. This message, though divinely inspired, was a death sentence for the political agenda of some of Jerusalem’s leaders.

The Accusation: Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashur, powerful princes, accused Jeremiah of weakening the people’s resolve and seeking their harm, not their welfare (verse 4). This was a clever spin on his message of surrender.
Their Motive: They were invested in resistance, likely hoping for aid from Egypt, and Jeremiah’s words threatened their plans and their authority. They saw him not as a prophet of God, but as a traitor undermining their war effort.
Their Strategy: They sought to have Jeremiah executed, using his message as evidence of sedition. Their immediate goal was to silence him and consolidate their own power in the face of impending doom.

The Prophet's Unwavering Duty

Despite the danger, Jeremiah continues to speak God's truth. What empowered him to remain faithful even when facing death?

Jeremiah was in a precarious position. He had been imprisoned, and now these influential princes sought his life. Yet, his commitment to God’s word remained unshaken.

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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: “Thus says the LORD: He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans shall live. He shall have his life as a prize of war, and live. Thus says the LORD: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and be taken.” Then the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.” King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.” So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mud. When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate— Ebed-melech went from the king’s house and said to the king, “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city.” Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, “Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes.” Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Jeremiah 38:1-13 means

The original words in Jeremiah 38:1-13

the LORDיהוה

YHWH · Hebrew Noun

The proper name of the God of Israel, the self-existent, covenant-keeping One who revealed Himself to Moses. He is the sovereign Creator and Redeemer of His people.

swordחֶרֶב

chereb · Hebrew Noun

A sharp, metal weapon used in warfare; biblically, it often symbolizes divine judgment, war, or the destructive power of human conflict.

famineרָעָב

ra‘ab · Hebrew Noun

A severe shortage of food; in the Old Testament, it is frequently depicted as a covenant curse for disobedience or a tool of divine judgment upon a nation.

pestilenceדֶּבֶר

deber · Hebrew Noun

A deadly, widespread disease or plague; in biblical usage, it is often seen as a sign of God’s judgment upon a sinful or rebellious people.

officialsשַׂר

sar · Hebrew Noun

High-ranking individuals, princes, or leaders who hold authority within a government, council, or royal court; they are responsible for administration and policy.

welfareשָׁלוֹם

shalom · Hebrew Noun

The general well-being, peace, prosperity, and wholeness of an individual or community; it encompasses both physical safety and spiritual harmony.

cisternבּוֹר

bôr · Hebrew Noun

A deep pit or underground reservoir used for storing water, often dug into rock; in a biblical context, they could be dry, dark, and dangerous places of imprisonment or death.

evilרָעָה

rāʿâ · Hebrew Noun

Morally reprehensible actions or character that are contrary to the will, nature, and commands of God; it represents a departure from righteousness and often leads to divine judgment.

prophetנָבִיא

nābîʾ · Hebrew Noun

One who is divinely chosen and commissioned by God to speak His message, call people to repentance, and often predict future events, acting as an intermediary between God and His people.

hungerרָעָב

rāʿāb · Hebrew Noun

The state of lacking food, which in the Bible is often a consequence of divine judgment, war, or siege, leading to physical suffering and testing one's reliance upon God for provision.

Ebed-melechעֶבֶד מֶלֶךְ

Ebed-melek · Hebrew Proper Noun

A royal official or servant, often implying a position of trust or service within a king's household. In the Bible, such figures can act as agents of mercy or authority, bridging the gap between the monarch and others.

cisternבּוֹר

bor · Hebrew Noun

A pit or underground reservoir used for holding water. In biblical imagery, it frequently symbolizes a place of entrapment, affliction, isolation, or the depths of Sheol, often associated with judgment or extreme hardship.