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Jeremiah 38:4

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 Chaldeans will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live.

3 This 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.”

Then 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.”

6 So 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.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

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BSB
Then 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.”
KJV
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
WEB
Then the princes said to the king, “Please let this man be put to death, because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them; for this man doesn’t seek the welfare of this people, but harm.”
ASV
Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
DARBY
And the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; for why should he weaken the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking to them according to these words? for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
BLB
And the princes said to the king, “Please, let this man be put to death, for by this he is weakening the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, speaking to them these words. For this man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but only the harm.
ÅB
Da sa høvdingene til kongen: La denne mann drepe, fordi han får de stridsmenn som er blitt tilbake i denne by, og alt folket til å la hendene synke ved at han taler slike ord til dem! For denne mann søker ikke folkets vel, han søker dets ulykke.
OTB
Da sa lederne til kongen: "Denne mannen bør dø, for han svekker soldatene som er igjen i denne byen, så vel som hele folket, ved å tale disse ordene til dem. Denne mannen søker ikke folkets vel, men deres skade."
B1930
Da sa høvdingene til kongen: La denne mann drepe, fordi han får de stridsmenn som er blitt tilbake i denne by, og alt folket til å la hendene synke ved at han taler slike ord til dem! For denne mann søker ikke folkets vel, han søker dets ulykke.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 26:11

    Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”

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  • Acts 16:20

    They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 29:7

    Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 6:9

    For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.

    Read in context

  • Amos 7:10

    Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words,

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 21:20

    When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Exodus 5:4

    But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work? Get back to your labor!”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 18:17–18

    When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”

    Read in context