And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.

JEREMIAH 37:3KJV
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Jeremiah 37:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 37:3 mean?

Jeremiah 37:3 describes King Zedekiah sending two men, Jehucal and Zephaniah, to ask the prophet Jeremiah to pray to the LORD on behalf of the people. The king is seeking help from God through Jeremiah’s prayers during a time of national crisis.

In this verse, Zedekiah is the king of Judah, and he sends his officials to Jeremiah because the nation is facing trouble from enemy forces. The request shows that even though Zedekiah has not always listened to Jeremiah, he still recognizes Jeremiah’s connection to God. The verse highlights the seriousness of the situation and the king’s hope that God might intervene if Jeremiah prays for them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 37:3

  • "Pray" — פָּלַל (palal): This word means to intercede or make a request to God, often on someone else’s behalf. Here, Zedekiah is not praying himself but asking Jeremiah to do it, which shows the king’s reliance on the prophet’s relationship with God.
  • "LORD" — יְהוָה (YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the request is directed to the God of Israel, not just a generic deity.
  • "God" — אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): This term is often used for God’s power and authority, highlighting the seriousness of the appeal for divine help.

Why Jeremiah 37:3 matters

  • The verse shows that even leaders who have ignored God’s messages may still turn to Him in desperate times, revealing the complexity of faith and leadership in crisis.
  • It highlights Jeremiah’s recognized role as a true prophet, even among those who have resisted his warnings, which adds weight to his later messages.
  • This request for prayer sets the stage for the following events, where Jeremiah’s response and God’s answer become crucial for the fate of Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“Zephaniah” Hebrew H6846 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
  • Jeremiah 29:25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
  • Zephaniah 1:1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

“Maaseiah” Hebrew H4641 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • Ezra 10:21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
  • Nehemiah 11:5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

“Zedekiah” Hebrew H6667 · used in 62 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
  • Jeremiah 27:12 I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
  • 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.