Jeremiah 38 Commentary

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"Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem"
(Horace Vernet, 1844)

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,
'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
-- Jeremiah 29:11
(Play beautiful related song by Marty Goetz and Misha)

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Click chart to enlarge
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
Jeremiah Chart from Charles Swindoll

JEREMIAH: "PROPHET TO THE NATIONS" Sin - "I Will Punish" (Jer 9:25) Hope - "I Will Restore" (Jer 30:17) Judah & Jerusalem
Prophet Called Jer 1:1-1:19	Prophecies to Judah Jer 2:1-45:5				Prophecies to the Gentiles Jer 46:1-51:64	Prophet's Appendix Jer 52:1-52:34
Prophet's Commission Jer 1:1-19	Judah Condemned Jer 2:1-25:38	Jeremiah's Conflicts Jer 26:1-29:32	Jerusalem's Future Jer 30:1-33:26	Jerusalem's Fall Jer 34:1-45:5	Nations Condemned Jer 46:1-51:64	Historic Conclusion Jer 52:1-52:34
Before The Fall Of Jerusalem Jer 1:1-38:28				The Fall Jer 39:1-18	After The Fall
Call	Ministry					Retrospect
Nation of Judah					Surrounding Nations	Future of Babylon
627-582 BC Ministered 40+ Years!

Map of Israel at Time of Jeremiah
Source: ESV Global Study Bible

Source: ESV Global Study Bible

Jeremiah 38:1 Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to all the people, saying,

• Shephatiah: Ezr 2:3 Ne 7:9 
• Jucal: Jer 37:4, Jehucal
• Pashhur: Jer 21:1-10,
• Melchiah, 1Ch 9:12,
• Malchijah, Ne 11:12 
• heard: Ac 4:1,2,6-10 5:28 

Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to all the people, saying,

Bob Utley - "Shephatiah the son of Mattan" He was a member of the royal servants/counselors of Zedekiah during the invasion of Judah by Neo-Babylon. He was an enemy of Jeremiah and thought he was a traitor deserving death. ▣ "Gdealiah the son of Pashhur" He was of the same group and held the same opinion of Jeremiah as did Shephatiah. ▣ "Jucal the son of Shelemiah" This man also goes by the name "Jehucal" in Jer. 37:3, where he is a royal messenger sent to Jeremiah and asking him, on the king's behalf, to pray for the crisis situation. ▣ "Pashhur the son of Malchijah" This royal servant is also mentioned in Jer. 21:1, as well as here. He is not the same person as Pashhur the priest, mentioned in Jer. 20:1-6.

Jeremiah 38:2 “Thus says the LORD, ‘He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive.’

• He: Jer 38:17-23 21:8,9 24:8 27:13 29:18 34:17 42:17,22 44:13 Eze 5:12-17 6:11 7:15 14:21 Mt 24:7,8 Rev 6:4-8 
• will live and have: Jer 21:9 39:18 45:5 

Thus says the LORD, ‘He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence - The three killers of the siege experience. 

but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive

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Bob Utley - "die" This chapter uses this VERB "die" (BDB 559, KB 562) often.

1. those who stay in Jerusalem will die, Jer. 38:2
2. those who desire to kill Jeremiah, Jer. 38:4
3. Jeremiah's death as a result of being put into the empty cistern, Jer. 38:9,26
4. desire to save Jeremiah, Jer. 38:10
5. Jeremiah's message to Zedekiah, Jer. 38:15
6. Zedekiah's response to Jeremiah, Jer. 38:16
7. Zedekiah's threat to Jeremiah, Jer. 38:24
8. the official's threat to Jeremiah, Jer. 38:25

 "live" As "die" is used often in this chapter, so too, "live" (BDB 310, KB 309).

1. In Jer. 38:2
   1. "will live" ‒ The Kethiv (written in the MT) has it as a Qal IMPERFECT but the Qere (suggested in the margin by MT formatters) has a Qal PERFECT, which matches the next two VERBS.
   2. The second use of "will live" is a Qal IMPERFECT.
2. in Jer. 38:17 (twice) are Jeremiah's words to Zedekiah.
3. in Jer. 38:20 are Jeremiah's words to Zedekiah.

Obedience to YHWH's message through Jeremiah brings life, but disobedience brings death. In a sense it reflects the "two ways" of Deut. 30:15-20 (cf. Jer. 21:8). Life is a gift of which we are stewards. There are consequences, both temporal and eternal, connected to human choices and actions (i.e. Psalm 1)!

Jeremiah 38:3 “Thus says the LORD, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.’”

• Jer 21:10 32:3-5 

Thus says the LORD, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it

Bob Utley - This city will certainly be given" The prophecy by Jeremiah of the complete destruction of Jerusalem by Neo-Babylon has not changed (cf. Jer. 21:20; 32:28; 34:2; 37:8; 38:3)! The VERB (BDB 678, KB 733, Niphal IMPERFECT) is matched by the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same root which denotes certainty! There was no hope for Jerusalem and the temple to be spared.

Jeremiah 38:4 Then the officials said to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm.”

• the officials: Jer 26:11,21-23 36:12-16 2Ch 24:21 Eze 22:27 Mic 3:1-3 Zep 3:1-3 
• thus: Ex 5:4 1Ki 18:17,18 21:20 Ezr 4:12 Ne 6:9 Am 7:10 Lu 23:2 Joh 11:46-50 Ac 16:20 17:6 24:5 28:22 
• welfare: Heb. peace, Jer 29:7 

Then the officials said to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm

Bob Utley - "the men of war who are left" Apparently there had been casualties and desertions. The other option is that Judah had no regular military except volunteers who went by the name, "men of war." "this man is not seeking the well-being of this people" These court officials still totally misunderstood Jeremiah and his message. They purposefully ignored the promise of "life" in Jer. 38:2.

Jeremiah 38:5 So King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you.”

• for the king: 1Sa 15:24 29:9 2Sa 3:39 19:22 Pr 29:25 Joh 19:12-16 

So King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you

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Bob Utley - This verse shows the weakness of Zedekiah (so too, Saul, cf. 1 Sam. 15:24 and even of David, cf. 2 Sam. 3:39).

Notice the play on "hand."

1. "discouraging" of Jer. 38:4 is literally "weakening the hands"
2. "all the people" of Jer. 38:4 is literally "the hands of all"
3. "he is in your hands" of Jer. 38:5 is an idiom of power over someone

Jeremiah 38:6 Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king’s son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

• Then they took: Jer 37:21 Ps 109:5 Lu 3:19,20 
• into the cistern: Jer 37:16 La 3:55 Ac 16:24 2Co 4:8,9 Heb 10:36 
• Malchijah the king’s son, Jer 36:26 
• and they let : Jer 38:11,12 
• Now in the cistern: This dungeon, which seems to have belonged to one of Zedekiah's sons, appears to have been a most dreadful place; the horrors of which were probably augmented by the cruelty of the jailor.  "The eastern people," observes Sir J. Chardin, "have not different prisons for the different classes of criminals; the judges do not trouble themselves about where the prisoners are confined, or how they are treated, considering it merely as a place of safety; and all that they require of the jailor is, that the prisoner be forthcoming when called for.  As to the rest, he is master to do as he pleases; to treat him well or ill; to put him in irons or not; to shut him up close, or hold him in easier restraint; to admit people to him, or to suffer nobody to see him.  If the jailor and his servants have large fees, let the person be the greatest rascal in the world, he shall be lodged in the jailor's own apartment, and the best part of it; and on the contrary, if those that have imprisoned a man give the jailor greater presents, or that he has a greater regard for them, he will treat the prisoner with the greatest inhumanity."  This adds a double energy to those passages which speak of "the sighing of the prisoner," and to Jeremiah's supplicating that he might not be remanded to the dungeon of Jonathan.  (ver. 26; ch. 37:20.) Jer 38:22 Ge 37:24 Ps 40:2 69:2,14,15 La 3:52-55 Zec 9:11 

Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king’s son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Jeremiah finds himself confined to a dungeon which apparently had been unused for some time and in which there was only mire and filth. Literally, Jeremiah sank in the mire and was left to die. One can imagine the sorrow of heart and loneliness of spirit felt by Jeremiah as he languished without food or water in the mire.

Bob Utley - "the king's son" This was an official title, not necessarily a blood relationship, but probably someone of the royal family (cf. Jer. 36:26). "Jeremiah sank into the mud" Josephus adds the tradition that it was up to his neck (Antiq. 10.7.5). He was meant to die there (cf. Jer. 38:4). The "mud" would have been the sediment which had collected in the bottom of a cistern. Cisterns caught and stored the runoff of rain water.

Jeremiah 38:7 But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin;

• Ebed-melech: Jer 39:16-18 
• Ethiopian: Jer 13:23 Ps 68:31 Mt 8:11,12 20:16 Lu 10:30-36 13:29,30 Ac 8:27-39 
• eunuch: Jer 29:2 34:19 2Ki 24:15
• the king’s palace: Jer 37:13 De 21:19 Job 29:7-17 Am 5:10 

Related Passages: 

Jeremiah 20:2 Pashhur had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put him in the stocks that were at the upper Benjamin Gate, which was by the house of the LORD.

Gates of Jerusalem - Gate of Benjamin most likely Sheep's Gate (see note)

A FOREIGNER HEARS OF 
JEREMIAH'S AFFLICTION 

But - Term of contrast. What's being contrasted? 

Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace - So here we see a foreigner who is willing to help Jeremiah, while his own people seek to get rid of him! 

Bob Utley - "Ebed-melech" This term (BDB 715) is literally "servant of the king." It is not a name but a title also found in other Semitic cultures. This man helps Jeremiah and is rewarded with his life (cf. Jer. 39:16-18). ▣ "Ethiopian" This (BDB 469 I) is often translated "Cushite" (cf. Jer. 13:23), which denotes a person from the nation just south of Egypt. This was a foreign servant/official in the Judean palace. ▣ "a eunuch" This term can be translated "official" (BDB 710). Physical castration was often involved (cf. Isa. 56:3-5), but not always (i.e. Potiphar in Gen. 39:1ff).

Heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern - How did he hear? The text does not say, but clearly it was facilitated by the providence of God, for Yahweh had made a promise to His servant Jeremiah in Jer 1:8 "Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD." Now let's watch Yahweh follow through on His word of promise! 

Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin - The Gate of Benjamin (see note) was one of the city gates on the north side of Jerusalem, most likely the "Sheep Gate," facing the territory of Benjamin, the direction from which Babylonian forces approached. City gates in the ancient Near East were not merely entry points but functioned as places of judgment, administration, and public decision-making (cf. Dt 21:19; Ru 4:1–2). Thus, when it says the king was “sitting” there, it indicates that King Zedekiah was apparently acting in his official capacity, overseeing legal matters or hearing cases. The setting is significant because it shows the king outwardly exercising authority in a public place of justice while, at the same time, he was internally weak and indecisive regarding Jeremiah, whose life was in danger (Jer 38:4–6). In short, the phrase portrays the king positioned at the seat of judgment, yet failing to uphold true justice, highlighting the contrast between his official role and his moral compromise.

THE GATE OF BENJAMIN: In Old Testament as in later times, some of the gates appear to have received different names at various times. Thus the Sheep Gate, at the northeastern angle, appears to be identical with the Gate of Benjamin or Upper Gate of Benjamin (Jer 20:2; 37:13; 38:7); the prophet was going, apparently, the nearest way to his home in Anathoth. In Zec 14:10 the breadth of the city is indicated, where the prophet writes, “She shall be lifted up, and shall dwell in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) 

Jeremiah 38:8 and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying,

THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
BEGINS HIS INTERVENTION

And - Note this "hinge word" is significant in this context for it demonstrates that Eded-melech was not just a "hearer" (of Jeremiah's predicament) but a "doer!" 

Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying - Given the political animus toward Jeremiah, Ebed-melech may have been risking his life in interceding for Jeremiah. We learn from Jer 39:15-18 that Ebed-melech was a believer in Yahweh and his faith resulted in God saving his life...

Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was confined in the court of the guardhouse, saying, 16“Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold, I am about to bring My words on this city for disaster and not for prosperity; and they will take place before you on that day. 17 “But I will deliver you on that day,” declares the LORD, “and you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you dread. 18 “For I will certainly rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword; but you will have your own life as booty, because you have trusted in Me,” declares the LORD.’

Bob Utley - "spoke to the king" Either he was a trusted official who had the ear of the king or he took advantage of public court to speak.

Jeremiah 38:9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city.” 

• these men have acted wickedly: Jer 38:1-6 Es 7:4-6 Job 31:34 Pr 24:11,12 31:8,9 
• for there is no more bread: Jer 37:21 52:6 

Related Passages: 

Proverbs 24:11-12NLT Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die. 12  Don't try to avoid responsibility by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and he sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and he knows you knew! And he will judge all people according to what they have done.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.  9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

EBED-MELECH'S PREDICTION 
OF JEREMIAH'S DEMISE

My lord the king - Ebed-melech acknowledged the authority of King Zedekiah, calling him "lord." 

These men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern - Clearly Ebed-melech did not agree with the treatment of Jeremiah. His statement acted wickely is a bold accusation before King Zedekiah. The phrase acted wickedly exposes their conduct not merely as harsh or unjust, but as morally evil in the sight of God, since their treatment of Jeremiah was a direct rejection of Yahweh's messenger and message! By emphasizing “in all that they have done,” Ebed-melech indicts the entire course of their actions, culminating in the cruel act of casting Jeremiah into a cistern, effectively leaving him to die slowly from starvation and exposure. This statement reveals that Ebed-melech clearly recognized both the injustice and the spiritual seriousness of what had been done. In contrast to the silence and compromise of others, Ebed-melech stands out as a man of courage and conviction, willing to confront authority and defend God’s prophet, demonstrating that even in a corrupt environment, one who fears the Lord (cf Jer 39:15-18) will discern evil rightly and act decisively against it (cf. Pr 31:8–9).

And he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city - The eunuch realized Jeremiah would soon be at death's door because of the famine. The fact that there was a famine and a short supply of bread identifies these events as taking place in the last 2 years of Zedekiah's reign when Nebuchadnezzar had laid seige to Jerusalem. 

Bob Utley - The reason for Jeremiah's feared death is stated as famine. Conditions are much worse now than in Jer. 37:21.

Jeremiah 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies.”

• Then the king commanded: Es 5:2 8:7 Ps 75:10 Pr 21:1 

ZEDEKIAH COMMANDS
JEREMIAH'S RESCUE

Then - This notes progression in the narrative, in this case a somewhat surprising course of action by King Zedekiah, considering that Jeremiah had not given him comforting prophecies! Surely this is the hand of Yahweh as described in Pr 21:1 "The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." 

The king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies - Here we see King Zedekiah’s urgent attempt to correct an injustice done to the prophet Jeremiah. The large number of men suggests both the difficulty of the task and the possibility of resistance from those who had imprisoned Jeremiah. By granting Ebed-melech authority, the king showed a measure of trust in this foreign servant, even as his own leadership remained weak. The phrase “before he dies” underscores the life-or-death urgency of the situation. 

Jeremiah 38:11 So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king’s palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah.

• let them: Jer 38:6 

EBED-MELECH PREPARES
FOR THE RESCUE

So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king’s palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah - The rags would provide padding between the rope and Jeremiah's armpits so he would not be cut. 

Jeremiah 38:12 Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so.

• Put: Ro 12:10,15 Eph 4:32 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR 
JEREMIAH'S RESCUE

Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes”; and Jeremiah did so - This verse highlights the careful compassion shown in the prophet’s rescue. The rags were placed under Jeremiah’s arms to cushion the ropes, preventing injury. This small detail reveals thoughtful mercy, showing that Ebed-melech not only sought to save Jeremiah’s life but also to minimize his suffering, illustrating how genuine compassion attends even to practical needs in acts of deliverance.

Bob Utley - "put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits" Apparently a room close by had some worn out clothes that could be used to cushion Jeremiah as he was pulled from the cistern. This shows the man's concern for Jeremiah. This is an eyewitness detail!

Jeremiah 38:13 So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse.  

• So: Jer 38:6 
• Jeremiah: Jer 38:28 37:21 39:14-18 1Ki 22:27 Ac 23:35 24:23-26 28:16,30 

JEREMIAH RESCUED AND
TRANSFERRED TO GUARDHOUSE

So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse - Although Jeremiah was rescued, he was still kept in prison in the guardhouse. 

Bob Utley - He was rescued from the cistern but would stay in custody!

Jeremiah 38:14 Then King Zedekiah sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance that is in the house of the LORD; and the king said to Jeremiah, “I am going to ask you something; do not hide anything from me.”

• sent: Jer 21:1-2 Jer 37:17 
• third, 1Ki 10:5 2Ki 16:18 
• I am going to ask: Jer 42:2-5,20 1Sa 3:17,18 1Ki 22:16 2Ch 18:15 

Related Passages: 

Jeremiah 37:17 Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

ZEDEKIAH'S SECRET
MEETING WITH JEREMIAH

Then King Zedekiah sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance that is in the house of the LORD; and the king said to Jeremiah, “I am going to ask you something; do not hide anything from me - This secret meeting is at least the second with King Zedekiah (Jer 37:17). Do not hide anything from me implies whether the message is good or bad, the king want so hear it. Clearly, Zedekiah had some regard for Jeremiah's prophecies even if he failed to act on them. 

Bob Utley - The Anchor Bible Commentary by John Bright says that Jer. 37:11-21 is the first recorded interview of Jeremiah face to face with Zedekiah and Jer. 38:1-28 is a second account.

Jeremiah 38:15 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.”

• Lu 22:67,68 

Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” - While this is a simple response to King Zedekiah, it is also in effect a prophecy, for Zedekiah would not listen to Jeremiah's advice. He has not listened before, so why would we expect him to listen now. He did not have a hearing problem but a fatal heart problem. He was stiff necked and hard hearted and would not receive Jeremiah's words which could have saved his soul! Only a humble man would have received Jeremiah's words, but Zedekiah was the antithesis of a humble man. Proverbs 29:1 typifies Zedekiah for it says "A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy." Indeed his heart would be broken as he would soon watch his sons put to death before his eyes. And that would be the last thing he would ever see because then he was blinded! That is an example of Pr 29:1 "in spades" as they say! 

Bob Utley -  Zedekiah still holds Jeremiah in a sacred position (i.e. Herod and John the Baptist). (1) meets with him secretly (cf. Jer. 38:16,24-27) (2) but will not act on his words. He wants to know the word of YHWH (cf. Jer. 38:14) but he will not do it (James 1:22). He apparently feared the Neo-Babylonian army and a faction within Judah (cf. v. 16).

Jeremiah 38:16 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As the LORD lives, Who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.”

NET  So King Zedekiah made a secret promise to Jeremiah and sealed it with an oath. He promised, "As surely as the LORD lives who has given us life and breath, I promise you this: I will not kill you or hand you over to those men who want to kill you."

NLT  So King Zedekiah secretly promised him, "As surely as the LORD our Creator lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to the men who want you dead."

• King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah: Jer 37:17 Joh 3:2 
• that made: Nu 16:22 27:16 Ec 12:7 Isa 57:16 Zec 12:1 Heb 12:9 
• of these: Jer 38:1-6 34:20 

Related Passages: 

2 Chronicles 36:13+ He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by God. But he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.

ZEDEKIAH SOLEMN
PROMISE TO JEREMIAH

But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying (NET = "and sealed it with an oath"), “As the LORD lives, Who made this life for us - NLT = , "As surely as the LORD our Creator lives," This is a striking confession from a king marked by persistent disobedience. In this oath, Zedekiah rightly acknowledges Yahweh as the giver and sustainer of life, invoking His living presence to validate his words. Yet the statement is a bit ironic/hypocritical, because this same king had previously sworn an oath to Nebuchadnezzar in the name of the LORD and then violated it (cf. 2Ch 36:13; Ezek 17:13–19). Thus, while his lips affirm truth about God, his life has contradicted it, exposing his pattern of inconsistency and unfaithfulness. The verse underscores the sobering reality that acknowledging God verbally is not the same as obeying Him completely, and that broken oaths, especially those made in the Lord’s name, reveal a heart that fears men more than God.

NET NOTE -Who made this life - Heb “who has made this life/soul/ breath [נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh] for us.” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ refers to the living, breathing substance of a person which constitutes his very life (cf. BDB 659 s.v. נֶפֶשׁ 1; 3).

Surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life - Zedekiah makes a double promise of first "no harm" and second "no betrayal." He is saying he would not surrender Jeremiah into the hands of those who intended harm. In other words the king gives Jeremiah a double guarantee of safety of protection from his own authority and protection from external threat. Zedekiah is choosing to guard and protect God's prophet. 

Bob Utley - The king promises not to kill Jeremiah (cf. Jer. 38:15-16) and not to turn him over to his officials who want to kill him (cf. Jer. 38:4) Zedekiah swore by the covenant Deity's name ("As the Lord lives") and His creative action ("who gave us life/breath"). Zedekiah was a religious man but a weak, indecisive one!

Jeremiah 38:17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘If you will indeed go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will survive.

NET   Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "The LORD, the God who rules over all, the God of Israel, says, 'You must surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon. If you do, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down. Indeed, you and your whole family will be spared.

NET NOTE - The title “the LORD who rules over all” is a way of rendering the title “Yahweh of armies.” It is an abbreviation of a longer title “Yahweh the God of armies” which occurs five times in Jeremiah (see, e.g., Jer 44:7). The abbreviated title occurs seventy-seven times in the book of Jeremiah. On thirty-two occasions it is further qualified by the title “the God of Israel,” showing his special relation to Israel. On six occasions it is preceded by the title “Lord” (see, e.g., Jer 46:10) and twice it is preceded by the title “the King” (see, e.g., Jer 51:17). Both titles emphasize his sovereignty. Twice it is said that he is the Maker of all things (Jer 10:16; 51:19), and once it is said that He made the earth and the people and animals on it and gives them into the control of whomever he wishes (Jer 27:4–5). On two occasions it is emphasized that he also made the heavenly elements and controls the natural elements of wind, rain, thunder, and hail (Jer 31:35; 51:14–16). All this is consistent with usage elsewhere where the “armies” over which he has charge are identified as (1) the angels which surround his throne (Isa 6:3, 5; 1 Kgs 22:19) and which he sends to protect his servants (2 Kgs 6:17), (2) the natural forces of thunder, rain, and hail (Isa 29:6; Josh 10:11; Jdg 5:4, 5) through which he sends the enemy into panic and “gums” up their chariot wheels, (3) the armies of Israel (1 Sam 17:45) which he leads into battle (Num 10:34–35; Josh 5:14, 15) and for whom he fights as a mighty warrior (Exod 15:3; Isa 42:13; Ps 24:8), and even (4) the armies of the nations which he musters against his disobedient people (Isa 13:14). This title is most commonly found in the messenger formula “Thus says …” introducing both oracles of judgment (on Israel [e.g.,Jer 9:7, 15] and on the nations [e.g. Jer 46:19; 50:18]; and see in general Jer 25:29–32). It emphasizes his sovereignty as the King and Creator, the Lord of creation and of history, and the just Judge Who sees and knows all (Jer 11:20; 20:12) and judges each person and nation according to their actions (Jer 32:18–19). In the first instance (in the most dominant usage) this will involve the punishment of His own people through the agency of the Babylonians (cf., e.g., Jer 25:8–9). But it will also include the punishment of all nations, including Babylon itself (cf. Jer 25:17–26, 32–38), and will ultimately result in the restoration of his people and a new relation with them (Jer 30:8; 31:35–37).

NLT  Jeremiah 38:17 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'If you surrender to the Babylonian officers, you and your family will live, and the city will not be burned down.

• the LORD God of hosts, : Ps 80:7,14 Am 5:27 
• the God of Israel: 1Ch 17:24 Ezr 9:4 
• If you will indeed go out to the officers: Jer 38:2 Jer 7:6,7 Jer 21:8-10 Jer 27:12,17 Jer 39:3 Job 23:13 

Related Passages: 

Jeremiah 21:3-10  (JEREMIAH'S PREVIOUS MESSAGE TO ZEDEKIAH) Then Jeremiah said to them, “You shall say to Zedekiah as follows: 4 ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Behold, I am about to turn back the weapons of war which are in your hands, with which you are warring against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the wall; and I will gather them into the center of this city. 5 “I Myself will war against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, even in anger and wrath and great indignation. 6 “I will also strike down the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they will die of a great pestilence. 7 “Then afterwards,” declares the LORD, “I will give over Zedekiah king of Judah and his servants and the people, even those who survive in this city from the pestilence, the sword and the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their foes and into the hand of those who seek their lives; and he will strike them down with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them nor have pity nor compassion.”’  8 “You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 “He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as booty. 10 “For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good,” declares the LORD. “It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.”’ 

ONE LAST "IF-THEN"
WARNING TO ZEDEKIAH

Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel - See NET NOTE above and Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts 

If you will indeed go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live - This recalls Jeremiahs earlier words to King Zedekiah “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death." (Jer 21:8 - see context above)

this city will not be burned with fire - IF Zedekiah refuses to go out and surrender, Jeremiah (speaking for Yahweh) predicts he will effectively doom the city of Jerusalem to firey destruction.

and you and your household will survive - And IF he refuses he and his family will loose their lives. One would think the radical contrast between the fruit of obedience and disobedience would have motivated King Zedekiah to humble himself, yield to Yahweh's authority and surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. But as Jeremiah wrote in Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?"

Jeremiah 38:18 ‘But if you will not go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given over to the hand of the Chaldeans; and they will burn it with fire, and you yourself will not escape from their hand.’”

NET  But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down. You yourself will not escape from them.'"

NLT  But if you refuse to surrender, you will not escape! This city will be handed over to the Babylonians, and they will burn it to the ground.'"

• But if you will not go out: 2Ki 24:12 25:27-30 
• then: Jer 38:3,23 Jer 24:8-10 Jer 32:3-5 Jer 34:2,3,19-22 Jer 39:3,5-7 Jer 52:7-11 2Ki 25:4-10 Eze 12:13 17:20,21 21:25-27 

But - Jeremiah introduces a contrast even though he has already decreed what would happen in the previous passage. Here we have another conditional sentence marked by "IF"! 

if you will not go out to the officers of the king of Babylon - All Zedekiah had to do was surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. However as we saw in his previous interaction with Nebuchadnezzar "he became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the LORD, the God of Israel." (2Ch 36:13NIV).

and you yourself will not escape from their hand (their power) - Zedekiah's failure to humble himself and surrender would set in motion a tidal wave of events that would impact the city and Zedekiah himself. Note the two "wills" - "you will not go out" = "you yourself will not escape." Jeremiah's prophecy implies he (of cours his God) knew Zedekiah would make an attempt to escape. One wonders, if Jeremiah's words every crossed his mind on that fateful night he attempted to slip away unnoticed? 

NET NOTE - Zedekiah held out this hope of escape until the end and attempted to do so but was unsuccessful (cf. Jer 39:4–5).

Jeremiah 38:19 Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I dread the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for they may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me.”

NET Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Babylonians. The Babylonians might hand me over to them and they will torture me."

NLT   "But I am afraid to surrender," the king said, "for the Babylonians may hand me over to the Judeans who have defected to them. And who knows what they will do to me!"

• I: Jer 38:5 1Sa 15:24 Job 31:34 Pr 29:25 Isa 51:12,13 57:11  Joh 12:42 Joh 19:12,13 
• mock: Jer 38:22 Jud 9:54 16:25 1Sa 31:4 Isa 45:9,10 

Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I dread the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans - Zedekiah fears his own subjects who have already defected to the Babylonians. 

For - He explains his fear. 

They may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me - He fears men more than he fears God, for if he had feared God he would have obeyed God and trusted His promise that he would survive. 

Bob Utley - As Zedekiah was afraid of the officials in Jer. 38:4-5, now he is afraid of the Judean deserters! He should have been afraid of YHWH! If only he would have trusted in YHWH's promise (cf. Jer. 38:20). Divine promises are linked to human choices!

Jeremiah 38:20 But Jeremiah said, “They will not give you over. Please obey the LORD in what I am saying to you, that it may go well with you and you may live.

NET  Then Jeremiah answered, "You will not be handed over to them. Please obey the LORD by doing what I have been telling you. Then all will go well with you and your life will be spared.

NLT  Jeremiah replied, "You won't be handed over to them if you choose to obey the LORD. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you.

• Obey: Jer 26:13 2Ch 20:20 Da 4:27 Ac 26:29 2Co 5:11,20 6:1 Phm 1:8-10 Jas 1:22 
• and thy: Isa 55:3 

JEREMIAH PLEADS WITH 
ZEDEKIAH TO OBEY

But Jeremiah said, “They will not give you over. - Even though he has already guaranteed Zedekiah's survival if he surrenders, now he seeks to calm his fears that he would be handed over to the deserters. Jeremiah could not have been clearer. It was up to Zedekiah to hear and heed or not to listen and not live! 

Please obey the LORD in what I am saying to you - Jeremiah commands Zedekiah to listen to Yahweh's words spoken through his servant. 

NET NOTE - Heb “Please listen to the voice of the LORD with regard to what I have been telling you.” For the idiom “listen to the voice” = “obey” see BDB 1034 s.v. שָׁמַע 1.m. Obedience here is expressed by following the advice in the qualifying clause, i.e., what I have been telling you.

That (term of purpose/result) it may go well with you and you may live - Jeremiah gives to results of obedience (1) things will go well for Zedekiah and (2) his life would be spared. This is the second time Jeremiah has promised Zedekiah his life if he surrenders. We cannot accuse God of not trying to get Zedekiah's attention! 

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Bob Utley -This reaffirmation of YHWH's promise has

1. a command to obedience ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP)
2. two conditional JUSSIVES  (LIKE COMMANDS)
   1. it may go well with you ‒ BDB 405, KB 408, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
   2. you may live ‒ BDB 310, KB 309, Qal JUSSIVE (cf. Jer. 38:2)

Jeremiah 38:21 “But if you keep refusing to go out, this is the word which the LORD has shown me:

NET   But if you refuse to surrender, the LORD has shown me a vision of what will happen. Here is what I saw:

NLT  But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the LORD has revealed to me:

• if: Jer 5:3 Ex 10:3,4 16:28 Job 34:33 Pr 1:24-31 Isa 1:19,20 Heb 12:25 
• this is: Jer 15:19-21 26:15 Nu 23:19,20 24:13 Job 23:13 Eze 2:4,5,7 Eze 3:17-19 Ac 18:6 20:26,27 

JEREMIAH RECOUNTS HIS
DIVINE VISION TO ZEDEKIAH

But - This term of contrast is a life or death contrast!

if you keep refusing to go out, this is the word which the LORD has shown me - Jeremiah is now preparing to give his final conclusion of what would happen if Zedekiah refused to obey. 

Jeremiah 38:22 ‘Then behold, all of the women who have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and those women will say, “Your close friends Have misled and overpowered you; While your feet were sunk in the mire, They turned back.”  

NET  All the women who are left in the royal palace of Judah will be led out to the officers of the king of Babylon. They will taunt you (NET NOTE - The words "taunt you" are supplied in the translation to give the flavor of the words that follow.) saying, 'Your trusted friends misled you; they have gotten the best of you. Now that your feet are stuck in the mud, they have turned their backs on you.'

NLT  All the women left in your palace will be brought out and given to the officers of the Babylonian army. Then the women will taunt you, saying, 'What fine friends you have! They have betrayed and misled you. When your feet sank in the mud, they left you to your fate!'

• all: Jer 41:10 43:6 La 5:11 
• friends: Heb. The men of thy peace, Jer 38:4-6 Jer 20:10 Ps 41:9
• Have misled: Jer 38:19 La 1:2 Mic 7:5 
• feet: Jer 38:6 Ps 69:2,14 
• they: Jer 46:5,21 Isa 42:17 La 1:13 

THE TAUNT SONG
OF THE WOMEN

Then behold, all of the women who have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and those women will say - NET - "All the women who are left in the royal palace of Judah will be led out to the officers of the king of Babylon. They will taunt you..."

Your close friends Have misled and overpowered you - This seems to be referring to the false prophets like Hananiah and others who prophesied lying words of comfort which resulted in those like Zedekiah being deceived. 

While your feet were sunk in the mire, They turned back - NLT - "When your feet sank in the mud, they left you to your fate!"

NET NOTE on Your close friends Have misled and overpowered you - Heb “The men of your friendship incited you and prevailed over you. Your feet are sunk in the mud. They turned backward.” The term “men of your friendship” (cf. s.v. שָׁלוֹם 5.a) is used to refer to Jeremiah’s “so-called friends” in Jer 20:10, to the trusted friend who deserted the psalmist in Ps 41:10, and to the allies of Edom in Obad 7. According to most commentators it refers here to the false prophets and counselors who urged the king to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar. The verb translated “misled” is a verb that often refers to inciting or instigating someone to do something, often with negative connotations (so BDB 694 s.v. סוּת Hiph.2). It is generally translated “deceive” or “mislead” in 2 Kgs 18:32; 2 Chr 32:11, 15. Here it refers to the fact that his pro-Egyptian counselors induced him to rebel. They have proven too powerful for him and prevailed on him (יָכֹל לְ, yakhol lé; see BDB 408 s.v. יָכֹל 2.b) to follow a policy which will prove detrimental to him, his family, and the city. The phrase “your feet are sunk in the mud” is figurative for being entangled in great difficulties (so BDB 371 s.v. טָבַע Hoph and compare the usage in the highly figurative description of trouble in Ps 69:2 [69:3 HT]).

NET NOTE - The taunt song here refers to the fact that Zedekiah had been incited into rebellion by pro-Egyptian nobles in his court who prevailed on him to seek aid from the new Egyptian Pharaoh in 589 B.C. and withhold tribute from Nebuchadnezzar. This led to the downfall of the city which is depicted in Jeremiah's vision from the standpoint of its effects on the king himself and his family. 

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Bob Utley - 38:21-23 YHWH's promises, ignored or refused, result in consequences.

1. women of the palace will be given over to the officials of the Neo-Babylonian army
2. they will accuse the king of vacillation and weakness to his counselors ("your feet were sunk in the mire" is an idiom of indecision)
3. Zedekiah's wives and children will be exiled. The VERB may imply
   1. sexual abuse
   2. humiliation
   3. exile
4. Zedekiah will be tortured as he feared
5. the city and temple will be destroyed

Verse 22 includes a poem at the end which is purported to be from the palace women given over to the Neo-Babylonian officers. It addresses a group of people called "your close friends."

1. royal counselors who favored an alliance with Egypt
2. royal counselors who wanted Jeremiah killed for treason
3. false prophets who gave a supposed divine message absolutely opposite of Jeremiah's message of defeat and exile

Jeremiah 38:23 ‘They will also bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand, but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire.’”  

NET  "All your wives and your children will be turned over to the Babylonians. You yourself will not escape from them but will be captured by the king of Babylon. This city will be burned down."

NLT  All your wives and children will be led out to the Babylonians, and you will not escape. You will be seized by the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned down."

• they will: Jer 38:18 39:6 41:10 52:8-13 2Ki 25:7 2Ch 36:20,21 
• burned. Jer 27:12,13 Eze 14:9 43:3 

MORE CONSEQUENCES OF
ZEDEKIAH'S DISOBEDIENCE

They will also bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans - This refers to Zedekiah's wives and sons who would be led out to the Babylonians. 

and you yourself will not escape from their hand - Again Jeremiah implies Zedekiah will attempt to escape but he would not succeed.

but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon - The Babylonians would capture Zedekiah. 

and this city will be burned with fire - Jerusalem would be burned, which indicates the Temple and the king's palace. 

Jeremiah 38:24 Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “Let no man know about these words and you will not die.

Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “Let no man know about these words and you will not die. - This is a strange response. Notice Zedekiah does not deny the words of Jeremiah. Did he believe him? We cannot be certain. He likely knew that if Jeremiah made such predictions in public, he would be put to death. 

NET NOTE - This is probably not a threat that the king himself will kill Jeremiah, but a premonition that if the pro-Egyptian party that was seeking to kill Jeremiah found out about the conversation they would go ahead and kill Jeremiah (cf. 38:2–4).

Jeremiah 38:25 “But if the officials hear that I have talked with you and come to you and say to you, ‘Tell us now what you said to the king and what the king said to you; do not hide it from us and we will not put you to death,’

NET  Jeremiah 38:25 The officials may hear that I have talked with you. They may come to you and say, 'Tell us what you said to the king and what the king said to you. Do not hide anything from us. If you do, we will kill you.'

NLT  Jeremiah 38:25 My officials may hear that I spoke to you, and they may say, 'Tell us what you and the king were talking about. If you don't tell us, we will kill you.'

• Jer 38:4-6,27 

ZEDEKIAH WARNS OFFICIALS WILL
INTERROGATE AND THREATEN HIM

But if the officials hear that I have talked with you and come to you and say to you, ‘Tell us now what you said to the king and what the king said to you - Zedekiah fears the officials will discover what he was talking about with Jeremiah

do not hide it from us and we will not put you to death - Zedekiah knows they will threaten him with death if he refuses to tell them. 

Jeremiah 38:26 then you are to say to them, ‘I was presenting my petition before the king, not to make me return to the house of Jonathan to die there.’”

NET f they do this, tell them, 'I was pleading with the king not to send me back to die in the dungeon of Jonathan's house.'"

NLT   If this happens, just tell them you begged me not to send you back to Jonathan's dungeon, for fear you would die there."

• Jer 37:15-16,20 42:2 Es 4:8 

Related Passages: 

Jeremiah 37:15-16; 20 Then the officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him, and they put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which they had made into the prison. 16 For Jeremiah had come into the dungeon, that is, the vaulted cell; and Jeremiah stayed there many days. (37:20) “But now, please listen, O my lord the king; please let my petition come before you and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, that I may not die there.”

ZEDEKIAH RECOMMENDS
JEREMIAH TELL A LIE

Then - This completes Zedekiah's "if/then" advice to Jeremiah.

you are to say to them, ‘I was presenting my petition before the king, not to make me return to the house of Jonathan to die there.’” - Basically, Zedekiah is telling Jeremiah to lie to the officials. 

NET NOTE - Heb "I was causing to fall [= presenting] my petition before the king not to send me back to Jonathan's house to die there." The word "dungeon of" is supplied in the translation to help the reader connect this petition with Jeremiah's earlier place of imprisonment where the officials had put him with every intention of letting him die there (Jer 37:15–16, 20).

Bob Utley - "you are to say to them" Jeremiah agrees to the cover story. He did ask the king this very question in Jer. 37:20. The "cover story" involved the location of Jeremiah's confinement (cf. v. 28).

Jeremiah 38:27 Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him. So he reported to them in accordance with all these words which the king had commanded; and they ceased speaking with him, since the conversation had not been overheard.

NET   All the officials did indeed come and question Jeremiah. He told them exactly what the king had instructed him to say. They stopped questioning him any further because no one had actually heard their conversation.

NLT  Sure enough, it wasn't long before the king's officials came to Jeremiah and asked him why the king had called for him. But Jeremiah followed the king's instructions, and they left without finding out the truth. No one had overheard the conversation between Jeremiah and the king.

• So he reported: 1Sa 10:15,16 16:2-5 2Ki 6:19 Ac 23:6 

Then - This marks progression in the narrative so that what Zedekiah had supposed was now taking place. NLT paraphrases it "Sure enough, it wasn't long before the king's officials came to Jeremiah." 

All the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him - So just as Zedekiah had forseen, the city officials interrogated Jeremiah.

So he reported to them in accordance with all these words which the king had commanded - Jeremiah followed Zedekiah's advice and in effect spoke a lie. 

And they ceased speaking with him, since the conversation had not been overheard - The officials "backed off" upon hearing Jeremiah's explanation because none of them had actually heard the conversation so they could hardly refute his explanation. 

NET NOTE - And they ceased speaking with him... - Heb “And they were silent from him because the word/matter [i.e., the conversation between Jeremiah and the king] had not been heard.”

Jeremiah 38:28 So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse until the day that Jerusalem was captured.

NET  So Jeremiah remained confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse until the day Jerusalem was captured. The following events occurred when Jerusalem was captured.

NLT  And Jeremiah remained a prisoner in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured.

• Jer 38:13 15:20,21 37:21 39:14 Ps 23:4 2Ti 3:11 4:17,18

So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse until the day that Jerusalem was captured

NET NOTE - Heb “And Jeremiah stayed/remained in the courtyard of the guardhouse …” The translation once again intends to reflect the situation. Jeremiah had a secret meeting with the king at the third entrance to the temple (v. 14). He was returned to the courtyard of the guardhouse (cf. v. 13) after the conversation with the king where the officials came to question him (v. 27). He was not sent back to the dungeon in Jonathan’s house as he feared, but was left confined in the courtyard of the guardhouse.