Jeremiah

Jeremiah 38:1–6

1Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucala son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard that Jeremiah had been telling all the people: 2“This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeansb will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live. 3This is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.”

4Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

5“Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”

6So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Footnotes

  • a 38:1 Jucal is a variant of Jehucal; see Jeremiah 37:3|JER 37:3.
  • b 38:2 That is, the Babylonians; also in verses 18, 19, and 23

Read all of Jeremiah 38

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Jeremiah 38:1

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Now Shephatiahשְׁפַטְיָ֣הšə·p̄aṭ·yāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH8203 Shephatjah
sonבֶן־ḇen-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Mattanמַתָּ֗ןmat·tānNoun - proper - masculine singularH4977 Mattan
Gedaliahוּגְדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ū·ḡə·ḏal·yā·hūConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH1436 Gedaljah
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Pashhurפַּשְׁח֔וּרpaš·ḥūrNoun - proper - masculine singularH6583 Pashchur
Jucalוְיוּכַל֙wə·yū·ḵalConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH3116 Jukal
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Shelemiahשֶׁ֣לֶמְיָ֔הוּše·lem·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH8018 Shelemjah
and Pashhurוּפַשְׁח֖וּרū·p̄aš·ḥūrConjunctive waw; Noun - proper - masculine singularH6583 Pashchur
sonבֶּן־ben-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
of Malchijahמַלְכִּיָּ֑הmal·kî·yāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH4441 Malkijah
heardוַיִּשְׁמַ֞עway·yiš·ma‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
thatאֲשֶׁ֧ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֛הוּyir·mə·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH3414 Jirmejah
had been tellingמְדַבֵּ֥רmə·ḏab·bêrVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularH1696 speak
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the peopleהָעָ֖םhā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people

Jeremiah 38:2

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
This is whatכֹּה֮kōhAdverbH3541 thus, here
the LORDיְהוָה֒Yah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·marVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Whoever staysהַיֹּשֵׁב֙hay·yō·šêḇArticle; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH3427 sit, remain, dwell
in thisהַזֹּ֔אתhaz·zōṯArticle; Pronoun - feminine singularH2063 this
cityבָּעִ֣ירbā·‘îrPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
will dieיָמ֕וּתyā·mūṯVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
by swordבַּחֶ֖רֶבba·ḥe·reḇPreposition-b, Article; Noun - feminine singularH2719 sword
and famineבָּרָעָ֣בbā·rā·‘āḇPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH7458 famine, hunger
and plagueוּבַדָּ֑בֶרū·ḇad·dā·ḇerConjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH1698 pestilence
but whoever surrendersוְהַיֹּצֵ֤אwə·hay·yō·ṣêConjunctive waw, Article; Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH3318 go or come out
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
the Chaldeansהַכַּשְׂדִּים֙hak·kaś·dîmArticle; Noun - proper - masculine pluralH3778 Chaldean
will liveיִחְיֶהyiḥ·yɛhConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH2421 live
he will retainוְהָיְתָה־wə·hā·yə·ṯāh-Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singularH1961 fall out, come to pass, become, be
his lifeנַפְשׁ֛וֹnap̄·šōwNoun - feminine singular construct; third person masculine singularH5315 soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
like a spoil of warלְשָׁלָ֖לlə·šā·lālPreposition-l; Noun - masculine singularH7998 prey, spoil, plunder, booty
and he will liveוָחָֽי׃סwā·ḥāyConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularH2421 live

Jeremiah 38:3

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
This is whatכֹּ֖הkōhAdverbH3541 thus, here
the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·wehNoun - proper - masculine singularH3068 Yahweh
saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·marVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Thisהַזֹּ֗אתhaz·zōṯArticle; Pronoun - feminine singularH2063 this
cityהָעִ֣ירhā·‘îrArticle; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
will surely be deliveredהִנָּתֹ֨ןhin·nā·ṯōnVerb - Nifal - Infinitive absoluteH5414 give, put, set
into the handsבְּיַ֛דbə·yaḏPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular constructH3027 hand
of the armyחֵ֥ילḥêlNoun - masculine singular constructH2428 strength, efficiency, wealth, army
of the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ-Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
of Babylonבָּבֶ֖לbā·ḇelNoun - proper - feminine singularH894 Babel, Babylon
and he will capture itוּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ū·lə·ḵā·ḏāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular; third person feminine singularH3920 capture, seize, take (by lot)

Jeremiah 38:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then the officialsהַשָּׂרִ֜יםhaś·śā·rîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH8269 chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
saidוַיֹּאמְר֨וּway·yō·mə·rūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH559 utter, say
toאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
the kingהַמֶּ֗לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Thisהַזֶּה֒haz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
manהָאִ֣ישׁhā·’îšArticle; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
ought to dieי֣וּמַתyū·maṯVerb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularH4191 die
forכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
heהֽוּא־hū-Pronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
is discouragingמְרַפֵּ֡אmə·rap·pêVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singularH7503 sink, relax
the warriorsאַנְשֵׁ֨י’an·šêNoun - masculine plural constructH582 man, mankind
who remainהַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים׀han·niš·’ā·rîmArticle; Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine pluralH7604 remain, be left over
in thisהַזֹּ֗אתhaz·zōṯArticle; Pronoun - feminine singularH2063 this
cityבָּעִ֣ירbā·‘îrPreposition, Article; Noun - feminine singularH5892 excitement
as well as allכָל־ḵālNoun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the peopleהָעָ֔םhā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
by speakingלְדַבֵּ֣רlə·ḏab·bêrPreposition; Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructH1696 speak
suchהָאֵ֑לֶּהhā·’êl·lehArticle; Pronoun - common pluralH428 these
wordsכַּדְּבָרִ֖יםkad·də·ḇā·rîmPreposition, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH1697 speech, word
to themאֲלֵיהֶ֔ם’ă·lê·hemPreposition; third person masculine pluralH413 motion to
thisהַזֶּ֗הhaz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
manהָאִ֣ישׁhā·’îšArticle; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
is notאֵינֶ֨נּוּ’ê·nen·nūAdverb; third person masculine singularH369 nothing, nought
seekingדֹרֵ֧שׁḏō·rêšVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH1875 resort to, seek
the well-beingלְשָׁל֛וֹםlə·šā·lō·wmPreposition; Noun - masculine singularH7965 completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
of theseהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zehArticle; Pronoun - masculine singularH2088 this, that
peopleלָעָ֥םlā·‘āmPreposition-l, Article; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
butכִּ֥יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
their ruinלְרָעָֽה׃lə·rā·‘āhPreposition-l; Adjective - feminine singularH7451 bad, evil

Jeremiah 38:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Hereהִנֵּה־hin·nêh-InterjectionH2009 lo! behold!
he isה֖וּאhūPronoun - third person masculine singularH1931 he, she
repliedוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙way·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
Kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
Zedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֔הוּṣiḏ·qî·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH6667 Tsidkijah
He is in your handsבְּיֶדְכֶ֑םbə·yeḏ·ḵemPreposition-b; Noun - feminine singular construct; second person masculine pluralH3027 hand
sinceכִּֽי־kî-ConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
can do nothingאֵ֣ין’ênAdverbH369 nothing, nought
to stop youדָּבָֽר׃dā·ḇārNoun - masculine singularH1697 speech, word

Jeremiah 38:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So they tookוַיִּקְח֣וּway·yiq·ḥūConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH3947 take
Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֗הוּyir·mə·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH3414 Jirmejah
and droppedוַיַּשְׁלִ֨כוּway·yaš·li·ḵūConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH7993 throw, fling, cast
himאֹת֜וֹ’ō·ṯōwDirect object marker; third person masculine singularH853 mark of the accusative
intoאֶל־’el-PrepositionH413 motion to
the cisternהַבּ֣וֹר׀hab·bō·wrArticle; Noun - masculine singular constructH953 pit, cistern, well
of Malchiahמַלְכִּיָּ֣הוּmal·kî·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH4441 Malkijah
the king’sהַמֶּ֗לֶךְham·me·leḵArticle; Noun - masculine singularH4428 king
sonבֶן־ḇen-Noun - masculine singular constructH1121 son
whichאֲשֶׁר֙’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
was in the courtyardבַּחֲצַ֣רba·ḥă·ṣarPreposition-b; Noun - common singular constructH2691 enclosure, court
of the guardהַמַּטָּרָ֔הham·maṭ·ṭā·rāhArticle; Noun - feminine singularH4307 jail, aim
They loweredוַיְשַׁלְּח֥וּway·šal·lə·ḥūConjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralH7971 send
Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הוּyir·mə·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH3414 Jirmejah
with ropesבַּחֲבָלִ֑יםba·ḥă·ḇā·lîmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH2256 cord, territory, band
into the cisternוּבַבּ֤וֹרū·ḇab·bō·wrConjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH953 pit, cistern, well
which had noאֵֽין־’ên-AdverbH369 nothing, nought
waterמַ֙יִם֙ma·yimNoun - masculine pluralH4325 water, juice, urine
but onlyכִּ֣יkîConjunctionH3588 burning, branding
mudטִ֔יטṭîṭNoun - masculine singularH2916 mud, mire, clay
and Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הוּyir·mə·yā·hūNoun - proper - masculine singularH3414 Jirmejah
sank downוַיִּטְבַּ֥עway·yiṭ·ba‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH2883 sink, sink down
into the mudבַּטִּֽיט׃סbaṭ·ṭîṭPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH2916 mud, mire, clay

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

Jeremiah 38:1 Acts 4:6–10 · Acts 5:28 · Nehemiah 11:12 · Jeremiah 21:1–10 · Jeremiah 37:3–4 · Nehemiah 7:9 · Acts 4:1–2 · Ezra 2:3 · 1 Chronicles 9:12

Jeremiah 38:2 Jeremiah 39:18 · Jeremiah 34:17 · Jeremiah 45:5 · Ezekiel 14:21 · Jeremiah 42:17

Jeremiah 38:3 Jeremiah 21:10 · Jeremiah 32:3–5

Jeremiah 38:4 Jeremiah 26:11 · Acts 16:20 · Amos 7:10 · Jeremiah 29:7 · Nehemiah 6:9 · Exodus 5:4 · 1 Kings 21:20 · 1 Kings 18:17–18

Jeremiah 38:5 John 19:12–16

Jeremiah 38:6 Jeremiah 37:21 · Jeremiah 38:22 · Psalm 69:14–15 · Jeremiah 37:16 · Psalm 69:2 · Genesis 37:24 · Psalm 109:5 · Acts 16:24 · Lamentations 3:52–55 · Zechariah 9:11 · Psalm 40:2

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.