But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:

JEREMIAH 38:25KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 38:25 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 38:25 mean?

Jeremiah 38:25 records King Zedekiah warning Jeremiah that if the officials (the "princes") discover their private conversation, they will demand to know exactly what was said, insisting that Jeremiah not hide anything and promising not to kill him if he tells the truth. The verse shows the king's concern about secrecy and the pressure from the officials.

In this scene, King Zedekiah is speaking to the prophet Jeremiah after a private meeting. The king fears that the other leaders will suspect something important was discussed and will interrogate Jeremiah about it. The verse highlights the tense political situation in Jerusalem, where the king feels threatened by his own officials and Jeremiah is at risk for simply speaking with the king.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 38:25

  • "Princes" (שָׂרֵי, sarim): This word refers to the leading officials or rulers in Jerusalem, not just generic leaders. Their power and influence are central to the tension in this verse.
  • "Hide" (כָּחַד, kachad): The word means to conceal or cover up. The officials are demanding full disclosure, showing their suspicion and lack of trust.
  • "Death" (מוּת, muth): The officials promise not to put Jeremiah to death if he tells them everything. This shows how real the threat to Jeremiah's life is, even for simply speaking with the king.

Why Jeremiah 38:25 matters

  • Jeremiah 38:25 shows the dangerous position Jeremiah was in, even when speaking to the king, and how political intrigue threatened his life.
  • The verse highlights the lack of trust and fear among Jerusalem’s leaders, with the king himself worried about his officials’ reactions.
  • This moment is key in the story, showing how Jeremiah’s prophetic mission put him at odds with powerful people, and how truth-telling came with real risks.

Where else these words appear

“hide” Hebrew H3582 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.