And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.

JEREMIAH 37:13KJV
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Jeremiah 37:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 37:13 mean?

Jeremiah 37:13 describes how, as Jeremiah was leaving Jerusalem through the Benjamin gate, a guard captain named Irijah stopped him, accused him of defecting to the Chaldeans (Babylonians), and seized him. This moment marks the beginning of Jeremiah’s arrest on suspicion of being a traitor.

The verse takes place during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Jeremiah, a prophet known for his unpopular warnings, is confronted by Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, at a city gate. The accusation that Jeremiah is "falling away" to the Chaldeans shows the tense atmosphere and suspicion among the people, especially toward someone like Jeremiah who had spoken of Babylon’s coming victory.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 37:13

  • "gate" (שַׁעַר, shaʿar): This word refers to a city gate, which was a main entry and exit point, often guarded and used for official business. The "gate of Benjamin" (בִּנְיָמִין, Binyamin) was likely on the north side of Jerusalem, named after the nearby territory of the tribe of Benjamin.
  • "captain" (בַּעַל, baʿal): Here, this word means "leader" or "chief," not just a military rank. Irijah was responsible for security at the gate.
  • "ward" (פְּקֻדָּה, pequddah): This word means a post or guard duty, highlighting that Irijah was in charge of watching those who came and went.
  • "away" (נָפַל, naphal): The phrase "Thou fallest away" uses a word that literally means "to fall." Here, it carries the sense of defecting or deserting to the enemy, showing the suspicion against Jeremiah.

Why Jeremiah 37:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 37:13 helps clarify why Jeremiah was arrested: not for his prophecies alone, but because he was suspected of betraying his people to the Babylonians.
  • The verse shows the climate of fear and mistrust in Jerusalem during the siege, especially toward anyone perceived as sympathetic to the enemy.
  • This encounter sets up the following events, where Jeremiah is imprisoned and mistreated, highlighting the personal cost of his faithfulness to his prophetic calling.

Where else these words appear

“Irijah” Hebrew H3376 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 37:14 Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

“Shelemiah” Hebrew H8018 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Nehemiah 3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
  • Jeremiah 36:26 But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

“Hananiah” Hebrew H2608 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:19 And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
  • Nehemiah 7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
  • Jeremiah 28:13 Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.

“took” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Jeremiah 50:16 Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land.