What does Jeremiah 38:15 mean?
"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 38:15
The verse Jeremiah 38:15 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "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?"
This verse comes from the book of Jeremiah, which is a major prophet in the Old Testament. The book of Jeremiah is a collection of prophecies and messages from the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah during a time of great political and social upheaval. The prophet Jeremiah was tasked with delivering messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah, urging them to repent and turn back to God.
In this particular verse, Jeremiah is speaking to King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah before it fell to the Babylonian empire. At this time, the people of Judah were in a state of rebellion and were refusing to listen to the word of the Lord as delivered by Jeremiah. The king and his advisors were seeking counsel from Jeremiah, but it was clear to Jeremiah that they had no intention of heeding his advice.
The verse highlights the reluctance of the king to listen to Jeremiah's counsel, as the prophet fears for his life if he were to deliver a message that the king did not want to hear. This speaks to the corrupt and oppressive nature of the leadership in Judah at the time, as well as the unyielding dedication of Jeremiah to delivering the word of God, despite the potential consequences.
One of the key themes in this verse is the idea of obedience and the consequences of disobedience to God's word. Throughout the book of Jeremiah, the recurring message is one of warning and judgment for the people of Judah if they do not repent and turn back to God. The unwillingness of King Zedekiah to listen to Jeremiah's counsel serves as a powerful example of the consequences of disobedience and the dangers of resisting God's word.
The verse also touches on the theme of courage and faithfulness in the face of adversity. Despite the potential threat to his life, Jeremiah is willing to speak truth to power and deliver the word of God, regardless of the consequences. This serves as a powerful example of the unwavering dedication of the prophet to his calling, as well as a reminder to all believers of the importance of standing firm in their faith, even in the face of opposition.
In addition to the themes of obedience and faithfulness, the verse also contains symbolism in the form of the prophet Jeremiah himself. In the context of this verse, Jeremiah serves as a symbol of the faithful servant of God, speaking truth to power and remaining steadfast in his commitment to delivering God's message. His willingness to risk his own life in order to fulfill his calling serves as a powerful symbol of the sacrifices and challenges faced by those who are called to serve God.
Overall, the verse Jeremiah 38:15 from the King James Version of the Bible is a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience, the importance of faithfulness and courage in the face of adversity, and the unwavering dedication of those called to serve God. It serves as a timeless message to all believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of opposition, and to trust in the sovereignty of God, no matter the circumstances.
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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?"
"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 38:15
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."
Joshua 15:38 - "And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,"
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."
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."
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.
Mark 15:38 - "And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."
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,"
"And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel," - Joshua 15:38
Jeremiah 49:38 - "And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD."
Job 38:15 - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."
"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."
Matthew 15:38 - "And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children."
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."