So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
JEREMIAH 38:16KJVWhat does Jeremiah 38:16 mean?
Jeremiah 38:16 shows King Zedekiah secretly swearing an oath to the prophet Jeremiah, promising by the living LORD who created their souls that he will not put Jeremiah to death or hand him over to the men who want to kill him. This verse highlights a private assurance of safety given by the king to Jeremiah during a dangerous and tense time.
In this scene, King Zedekiah is speaking directly to Jeremiah, who has been imprisoned for delivering unpopular messages from God. The king’s oath is made in secret, suggesting he fears the political consequences of openly protecting Jeremiah. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of Zedekiah’s promise by invoking the LORD as the living Creator, showing the weight and solemnity of his words.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 38:16
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, used here to stress the seriousness of the oath. Swearing by the LORD was the strongest way to guarantee truthfulness and commitment.
- "sware" (שָׁבַע, shava): This verb means to take an oath, often with a sacred or binding sense. Zedekiah’s use of this word shows he is making a solemn, binding promise.
- "secretly" (בַּסֵּתֶר, baseter): This word means "in secret" or "privately," highlighting that Zedekiah’s promise is not public. This detail shows the king’s fear of his officials and the political pressure he faces.
- "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word can mean "life" or "person." By mentioning the LORD who "made us this soul," Zedekiah is acknowledging God as the Creator and giver of life, making his oath even more serious.
Why Jeremiah 38:16 matters
- This verse clarifies that Zedekiah’s promise to Jeremiah was not made openly, but in secret, revealing the king’s fear of his own officials and the unstable political situation.
- The use of a strong oath by the living LORD who created their souls emphasizes the gravity of Zedekiah’s words and the seriousness with which he wants Jeremiah to trust him.
- This promise sets up the following events, showing the tension between Jeremiah’s safety and the hostility of those who oppose his message, and it highlights the personal risk Jeremiah faced in delivering God’s word.