What does Jeremiah 38:14 mean?
"¶ 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." - Jeremiah 38:14
The verse Jeremiah 38:14, as found in the King James Version of the Bible, reads:
"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."
This verse comes from the book of Jeremiah, which is a collection of prophetic messages attributed to the prophet Jeremiah. The book is set during a time of great turmoil for the nation of Judah, as it faced the impending threat of invasion and exile at the hands of the Babylonian Empire. The prophet Jeremiah, throughout the book, is seen warning the people of Judah about the impending judgment of God for their disobedience and unfaithfulness. In this particular verse, we see Jeremiah being summoned by King Zedekiah, who seeks counsel from the prophet.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. At this point in the narrative, King Zedekiah is facing a dire situation. The Babylonian forces are besieging Jerusalem, and the king is seeking guidance from Jeremiah. The third entry mentioned in the verse is likely a reference to a specific entrance or gateway within the temple, where the king could meet with Jeremiah in private. The fact that the meeting takes place in the house of the Lord is significant, as it underscores the religious and spiritual nature of the consultation.
In this verse, we see King Zedekiah approaching Jeremiah with a sense of urgency and desperation. His request to Jeremiah to "hide nothing from me" indicates the gravity of the situation and the king's desire for unvarnished truth. Despite his previous reluctance to heed Jeremiah's warnings, Zedekiah now appears willing to listen to the prophet's counsel.
One of the themes present in this verse is the tension between political power and spiritual authority. King Zedekiah, as the ruler of Judah, holds significant political power, but he recognizes the need for guidance from a spiritual authority figure. This reflects the ongoing struggle within the biblical narrative between the demands of earthly rulers and the dictates of God's law.
Furthermore, this verse highlights the role of prophets in biblical history. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah are depicted as intermediaries between God and humanity, tasked with delivering divine messages and guidance. In this instance, Jeremiah's willingness to speak truth to power demonstrates the prophetic duty to hold leaders accountable and challenge them to act in accordance with God's will.
Symbolically, the house of the Lord and the temple setting serve as reminders of the sacred and holy nature of the consultation. The choice of location underscores the spiritual dimension of the encounter, suggesting that God is present and overseeing the interaction between king and prophet.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 38:14 offers a rich and layered portrayal of the intersection of political power and spiritual authority in the biblical narrative. Through its depiction of King Zedekiah seeking counsel from Jeremiah, the verse sheds light on the complexities of leadership, the role of prophets, and the ongoing struggle to align earthly rule with divine will. The verse also serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of biblical themes and narratives in the contemporary world.
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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." - Jeremiah 38:14
Jeremiah 38:13 - "So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."
Jeremiah 38:1–13
Jeremiah 38:24 - "¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die."
Jeremiah 38:6 - "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."
Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Jeremiah 32:38 - "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:"
Jeremiah 38:12 - "And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
Jeremiah 38:19 - "And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."
Job 38:14 - "It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."
Jeremiah 38:21 - "But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:"
Jeremiah 51:38 - "They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps."
Jeremiah 38:8 - "Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:7 - "¶ Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;"
Jeremiah 38:6 (KJVA) 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Psalms 38:14 - "Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs."
Jeremiah 38:10 - "Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die."
Jeremiah 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,"
1 Corinthians 14:38 - "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant."
Jeremiah 49:38 - "And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD."
"And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:" - Jeremiah 32:38
Jeremiah 38:27 - "Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived."
Jeremiah 38:15 - "Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?"
Jeremiah 50:38 - "A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols."
"So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison." - Jeremiah 38:13
Jeremiah 38:11 - "So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah."
Jeremiah 38:3 - "Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it."
"¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die." - Jeremiah 38:24
Jeremiah 38:20 - "But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live."