Breakdown of Jeremiah 38:14

"King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the LORD. The king said to Jeremiah, “I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me.”" — Zedekiah seeks a private word from God through Jeremiah, not just information, indicating a desperate hope for divine intervention even as he’s unwilling to fully obey. His choice of a "third entranc…

Jeremiah 38:14 Meaning Explained

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Jeremiah 38:14

King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the LORD. The king said to Jeremiah, “I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Zedekiah seeks a private word from God through Jeremiah, not just information, indicating a desperate hope for divine intervention even as he’s unwilling to fully obey. His choice of a "third entrance" suggests a desire for secrecy, yet meeting within the temple precincts highlights his conflicted respect for its sacredness.

What Jeremiah 38:14 means

Having previously imprisoned Jeremiah for his dire prophecies, King Zedekiah secretly sends for him again, meeting him in a private area of the Temple. The king, desperate and uncertain about the impending Babylonian siege, implores Jeremiah to tell him the unvarnished truth from God, revealing a flicker of fear and a lingering, though perhaps superficial, respect for the prophet.

A Secret Meeting for Sacred Truth

Why did King Zedekiah choose a specific, private entrance in the Temple for his clandestine meeting with Jeremiah? This wasn't just a casual chat; it was a desperate measure.

Zedekiah, facing the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, sought out Jeremiah not in the public square, but in a secluded part of the Temple complex – the 'third entrance.' This specific location, likely a passage connecting the palace to the Temple courts, underscores the king's desperate need for privacy.

Seeking Solitude: The Temple, while a place of worship, also had various courts and entrances. Choosing a 'third entrance' suggests a less frequented or more private passage, away from the eyes and ears of his court or the anxious populace.
A King's Fear: This secret meeting reveals Zedekiah’s internal conflict. He knew Jeremiah carried God’s message, but he was also a king beholden to political pressures and the fear of his people. He needed to hear the truth without the immediate consequences of public knowledge.
Desire for Divine Counsel: Despite his past failures to heed Jeremiah's warnings, Zedekiah still turned to the prophet. This encounter highlights that even hardened leaders, when facing ultimate crisis, may seek divine insight, albeit often too late.

The King's Ultimatum: 'Hide Nothing From Me'

Zedekiah’s demand for absolute honesty is powerful. What does this reveal about his state of mind and his relationship with God's messenger?

Zedekiah's plea, 'I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me,' is more than just a request for information; it's a stark admission of his desperation and his fragmented faith.

A Plea for Unvarnished Truth: The king wants the raw, unadulterated message from God. He’s tired of ambiguity and perhaps even self-deception. He needs to know the unvarnished reality of Jerusalem's fate.
Conflicted Heart: This demand comes from a man torn between his royal duty, his fear of the Babylonians, and a lingering, though weak, respect for God's prophet. He desires clarity but is unwilling or unable to fully commit to the prophetic counsel.

Understand the original words

Original language

prophetנָבִיא

nabi · Hebrew Noun

A person divinely called to speak God's word to humanity. Prophets serve as intermediaries, declaring divine judgment, calling for repentance, or revealing God's will, often in the face of intense opposition or rejection.

templeהֵיכָל

hekal · Hebrew Noun

The dwelling place of God's presence on earth, central to Israel's worship. It represents the holiness of God and the place where humanity encounters the divine, though it can also be a site of judgment when the people are unfaithful.

LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The proper name for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God. It is the personal, self-existent name revealed to Moses, emphasizing God's faithfulness and relationship with His people.

Historical context

Written: Around 587/586 BC, during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Jeremiah, though he may have had scribes assist him.
Location: Jerusalem, likely near the Temple courts, during the final siege.
Genre: Prophetic narrative, featuring dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot.

Historical background

This private meeting occurs during the final, desperate days of Jerusalem's siege, highlighting Zedekiah's conflicted state: he seeks divine counsel yet seems unable to fully commit to God's word, a tension characteristic of his reign.

c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports Judean nobles and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's vassalage to Babylon and foreshadows future judgments.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
After a brief revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again. King Jehoiachin and many more citizens are exiled to Babylon, including the priest Ezekiel. Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, is installed as king.
c. 589 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
King Zedekiah rebels against Babylonian rule, leading Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem. This prolonged siege will last for over a year and bring immense suffering.
c. 588 BC
Jeremiah Freed from Cistern
Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern and left to die for prophesying Jerusalem's fall. He is rescued by Ebed-melech, a Cushite eunuch in the king's household, who fears for his life.

Key themes

01King seeking counsel
02Prophet's private audience
03Desire for honest word
04Lingering fear of God

Cross-references

1 Samuel 15:22

This passage highlights the importance of obedience and listening to God's word, echoing Zedekiah's desperate, albeit flawed, attempt to hear from God through Jeremiah.

1 Kings 22:15

Similar to Zedekiah's encounter, King Ahab sought counsel from the prophet Micaiah, demanding honesty, but ultimately resisted the divine message.

Proverbs 1:20-22

This proverb describes those who are called to wisdom but refuse to listen, mirroring Zedekiah's internal conflict and his likely hesitation to fully accept Jeremiah's message.

Isaiah 30:10

This verse condemns those who tell prophets to stop speaking what God says, showing a pattern of leaders wanting pleasant words instead of God's truth, which fits Zedekiah's situation.

Scholarly commentary

Jeremiah 38:14: "Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me."

The third entry - There was probably a passage from the palace to the temple at this entry, and the meeting would take place in some private chamber close by.
barnes

Jeremiah 38:14: "Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me."

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

Et misit rex Zedechias et tulit (hoc est, accersivit) Jeremiam Pro…

calvin

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What Jeremiah 38:14 means

Original language

prophetנָבִיא

nabi · Hebrew Noun

templeהֵיכָל

hekal · Hebrew Noun

LORDיְהוָה

YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun

The proper name for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping God. It is the personal, self-existent name revealed to Moses, emphasizing God's faithfulness and relationship with His people.

Historical context

Written: Around 587/586 BC, during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah.
Author: Traditionally understood as the prophet Jeremiah, though he may have had scribes assist him.
Location: Jerusalem, likely near the Temple courts, during the final siege.
Genre: Prophetic narrative, featuring dialogue that reveals character and advances the plot.

Historical background

c. 605 BC

First Babylonian Deportation

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports Judean nobles and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's vassalage to Babylon and foreshadows future judgments.

597 BC

Second Babylonian Deportation

After a brief revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again. King Jehoiachin and many more citizens are exiled to Babylon, including the priest Ezekiel. Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, is installed as king.

c. 589 BC

Siege of Jerusalem Begins

King Zedekiah rebels against Babylonian rule, leading Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem. This prolonged siege will last for over a year and bring immense suffering.

c. 588 BC

Jeremiah Freed from Cistern

Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern and left to die for prophesying Jerusalem's fall. He is rescued by Ebed-melech, a Cushite eunuch in the king's household, who fears for his life.