What does Jeremiah 38:1 mean?
"Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying," - Jeremiah 38:1
The verse Jeremiah 38:1 from the King James Version of the Bible reads: "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,"
This verse is part of the book of Jeremiah, which is a part of the Old Testament. Jeremiah was a prophet who lived during the late seventh and early sixth centuries BC. He prophesied during the time when Judah was in decline and the Babylonian Empire was rising to power.
In the context of the book of Jeremiah, this verse comes at a time when the prophet has been warning the people of Judah about the imminent destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The people, specifically those mentioned in the verse (Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashur), are hearing the words that Jeremiah has spoken to the people. The leaders are likely feeling threatened by Jeremiah's message and are seeking to take action against him.
The themes in this verse revolve around the power struggle between the prophet Jeremiah and the ruling authorities in Judah. It highlights the conflict between those who remain faithful to God's message, represented by Jeremiah, and those in power who are resistant to his warnings. It also speaks to the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance.
In terms of symbolism, Shephatiah, the son of Mattan, Gedaliah, the son of Pashur, Jucal, the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur, the son of Malchiah represent the leaders and officials of Judah. Their reaction to Jeremiah's words symbolize the resistance and hostility that the prophet faced from the ruling class. Their refusal to heed Jeremiah's warnings and their determination to silence him symbolize the people's rejection of God's message and their reliance on their own strength and wisdom.
This verse also serves as a reflection of the broader historical context of the time. The impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians serves as a backdrop to Jeremiah's prophetic message. The leaders' response to Jeremiah's warning reflects the widespread disbelief and arrogance that pervaded Judah during this time. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring God's warnings and rejecting his messengers.
Overall, Jeremiah 38:1 represents a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. It captures the tension and conflict between the faithful prophet and the unrepentant leaders of Judah. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for humility and repentance before God.
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Jeremiah 38:1 Artwork
Jeremiah 38:1–13
Jeremiah 38:1 - "Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,"
"Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying," - Jeremiah 38:1
Jeremiah 38:13 - "So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."
Jeremiah 38:24 - "¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die."
Jeremiah 38:6 - "Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire."
Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Jeremiah 32:38 - "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:"
Jeremiah 38:12 - "And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so."
Jeremiah 38:19 - "And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me."
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."
Jeremiah 38:21 - "But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:"
Jeremiah 51:38 - "They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions' whelps."
Jeremiah 38:8 - "Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:7 - "¶ Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;"
Jeremiah 38:6 (KJVA) 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Jeremiah 38:10 - "Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die."
Jeremiah 49:38 - "And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD."
"And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:" - Jeremiah 32:38
Jeremiah 38:27 - "Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived."
Jeremiah 38:15 - "Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?"
Jeremiah 50:38 - "A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols."
"So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison." - Jeremiah 38:13
Jeremiah 38:11 - "So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah."
Jeremiah 38:3 - "Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it."
"¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die." - Jeremiah 38:24
Jeremiah 38:20 - "But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live."
Jeremiah 38:16 - "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 38:9 - "My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city."
Jeremiah 38:5 - "Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you."