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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Jeremiah 38  › Jeremiah 38:24

Jeremiah 38:24

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Jeremiah 38:24 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Do not let anyone know about this conversation, or you will die.

King James Version KJV

¶ Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

American Standard Version ASV

Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, Let no man have knowledge of these words, and you will not be put to death.

Free Bible Version FBV

Zedekiah warned Jeremiah, “Nobody can find out about this conversation, otherwise you'll die.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then said Zedekiah vnto Ieremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Zedekiah saith unto Jeremiah, 'Let no man know of these words, and thou dost not die;

World English Bible WEB

Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “Let no man know of these words, and you won’t die.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Then Sedecias said to Jeremias: Let no man know these words, and thou shalt not die.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Zedekiah said to me, “Do not tell anyone what you told me; if you tell anyone, my officials may kill you.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 38:24

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 38:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ אֶֽל יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ אִ֛ישׁ אַל יֵדַ֥ע בַּ/דְּבָֽרִים הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה וְ/לֹ֥א תָמֽוּת
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ Tsidqîyâh H6667 Zedekiah N-proper
אֶֽל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ Yirmᵉyâh H3414 Jeremiah N-proper
אִ֛ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms
אַל ʼal H408 not Part
יֵדַ֥ע yâdaʻ H3045 to know V-Qal-Juss-3ms
בַּ/דְּבָֽרִים dâbâr H1697 Chronicles Prep | N-mp
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 these Art | Pron
וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
תָמֽוּת mûwth H4191 to die V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 38:24

וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ Tsidqîyâh H6667 "Zedekiah" N-proper
Zedekiah means Jehovah is righteous, the name of six Israelites including the last king of Judah, as seen in Jeremiah 36:12. He was renamed by Nebuchadnezzar and son of Josiah. Zedekiah was a significant figure in the Divided Monarchy period.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.36.12; son of: Hananiah (H2608M) § Zedekiah = "Jehovah is righteous" 1) the last king of Judah renamed from 'Mattaniah' by Nebuchadnezzar; son of Josiah by wife Hamutal; placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar when he carried his nephew Jehoiakim in captivity 2) false prophet at the court of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel 3) son of Maaseiah, a false prophet in Babylon 4) son of Hananiah, one of the princes of Judah in the time of Jeremiah 5) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah 6) son of king Jehoiakim of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Zedekiah, Zidkijah. See also: 1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 34:6; Jeremiah 1:3.
אֶֽל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ Yirmᵉyâh H3414 "Jeremiah" N-proper
Jeremiah means whom Jehovah has appointed, a major prophet and author of the book of Jeremiah. He was the son of Hilkiah and a priest from Anathoth.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.35.3; son of: Habazziniah (H2262); father of: Jaazaniah (H2970) § Jeremiah = "whom Jehovah has appointed" 1) the major prophet, son of Hilkiah of the priestly family in Anathoth; author of the prophetic book bearing his name 2) a man of Libnah and father of Hamutal the wife of king Josiah 3) a Gadite who joined David at Ziklag 4) a Manassehite, one of the mighty men of valour of the Transjordanic half tribe of Manasseh 5) a Gadite and warrior of David 6) a warrior of David 7) a priest who joined Nehemiah in the covenant ceremony 8) a priest also in the time of Nehemiah; maybe same as 7 9) father of Jaazaniah the Rechabites
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Jeremiah. See also: 2 Kings 23:31; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 1:1.
אִ֛ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יֵדַ֥ע yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" V-Qal-Juss-3ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
בַּ/דְּבָֽרִים dâbâr H1697 "Chronicles" Prep | N-mp
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הָ/אֵ֖לֶּה ʼêl-leh H428 "these" Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תָמֽוּת mûwth H4191 "to die" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 38:24

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Jeremiah 38:24 Summary

This verse is saying that Zedekiah, the king of Judah, told Jeremiah, the prophet, to keep their conversation a secret, because if the officials found out, they would kill Jeremiah. This shows that Zedekiah was afraid of the officials and did not want to take a stand for what was right, as also seen in Jeremiah 37:1-2. It's like when we are afraid to tell the truth or stand up for what is right, because we are afraid of what others might think or do, but as it says in Proverbs 28:1, the righteous are bold as a lion. We should strive to be like Jeremiah, who was faithful and courageous, even in the face of opposition, as seen in Jeremiah 1:7-8.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Zedekiah want to keep his conversation with Jeremiah a secret?

Zedekiah wanted to keep the conversation a secret because he was afraid of the officials and the consequences of them finding out, as seen in Jeremiah 38:25, where the officials might kill Jeremiah if they discovered their conversation.

What would happen to Jeremiah if the conversation was discovered?

If the conversation was discovered, Jeremiah would be killed, as stated in Jeremiah 38:24, and also hinted at in Jeremiah 38:25, where the officials threaten to kill him if he does not reveal the conversation.

What does this verse reveal about Zedekiah's character?

This verse reveals that Zedekiah was a fearful and weak leader, who was more concerned about his own life and reputation than about doing what was right, as also seen in Jeremiah 37:1-2, where he asks Jeremiah for advice but does not follow it.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of the book of Jeremiah?

This verse relates to the broader theme of the book of Jeremiah, which is the judgment of God on the nation of Judah for their sin and rebellion, as stated in Jeremiah 1:16, and the call to repentance and faith in the one true God, as seen in Jeremiah 29:13.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I am trying to keep secrets or hide from God, and how can I apply the principle of honesty and transparency from this verse?
  2. How can I, like Jeremiah, be courageous and faithful in the face of opposition and fear, as seen in Jeremiah 1:7-8?
  3. What does this verse teach me about the importance of integrity and doing what is right, even when it is difficult, as also seen in Proverbs 10:9?
  4. How can I, like Jeremiah, trust in God's sovereignty and providence, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 38:24

Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah,.... Not a word signifying his approbation of the counsel given him, or that he intended to take it; his silence showed the reverse: let no man know of these words:

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 38:24

Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die. Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die - if thou wilt not tell this to the people, I will engage thy safety.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:24

These words sufficiently let us know that Zedekiah stood in awe of his courtiers, and we might probably think, that had it not been for them, he would have done better. This is the righteous judgment of God; those that will not sanctify the Lord of hosts, and make him their fear, shall fear men, whom to fear is much more base and ignoble.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:24

Jeremiah 38:24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.Ver. 24. Let no man know of these words,] Muliebriter deprecatur rex incredulus fidelem. Thus he who feareth not God, feareth his own servants and counsellors. And thou shalt not die.] The crafty king would seem to be solicitous of the prophet’ s safety, but mainly intendeth his own.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 38:24

24. Let no man know] Zedekiah’s feebleness is again conspicuous in this and the two following verses. Although the saving of the prophet from conditions likely to prove fatal is not directly mentioned in the narrative as preserved to us, it is far from unlikely that it was one subject of the conversation. Thus the prophet may well have held himself justified in limiting his statement to the princes in accordance with Zedekiah’s desire, especially when we remember that moral standards at that age were not altogether identical with our own.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:24

24. Let no man know — A king, and yet did not dare to have the particulars of this interview known!
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