Jeremiah 37:14
New International Version
“That’s not true!” Jeremiah said. “I am not deserting to the Babylonians.” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

New Living Translation
“That’s not true!” Jeremiah protested. “I had no intention of doing any such thing.” But Irijah wouldn’t listen, and he took Jeremiah before the officials.

English Standard Version
And Jeremiah said, “It is a lie; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.” But Irijah would not listen to him, and seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

Berean Standard Bible
“That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

King James Bible
Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

New King James Version
Then Jeremiah said, “False! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.” But he did not listen to him. So Irijah seized Jeremiah and brought him to the princes.

New American Standard Bible
But Jeremiah said, “A lie! I am not deserting to the Chaldeans”; yet he would not listen to him. So Irijah arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

NASB 1995
But Jeremiah said, “A lie! I am not going over to the Chaldeans"; yet he would not listen to him. So Irijah arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

NASB 1977
But Jeremiah said, “A lie! I am not going over to the Chaldeans”; yet he would not listen to him. So Irijah arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Jeremiah said, “A lie! I am not going over to the Chaldeans”; yet he would not listen to him. So Irijah seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

Amplified Bible
But Jeremiah said, “That is a lie! I am not deserting to join the Chaldeans.” But the guard would not listen to him. So Irijah took Jeremiah and brought him to the princes (court officials).

Christian Standard Bible
“That’s a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not defecting to the Chaldeans! ” Irijah would not listen to him but apprehended Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“That’s a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” Irijah would not listen to him but apprehended Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

American Standard Version
Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I am not falling away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him; so Irijah laid hold on Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

Contemporary English Version
"I'm not trying to join them!" I answered. But Irijah wouldn't listen, and he took me to the king's officials.

English Revised Version
Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans; but he hearkened not to him: so Irijah laid hold on Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jeremiah answered, "That's a lie! I'm not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah wouldn't listen to him. Irijah arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

Good News Translation
I answered, "That's not so! I'm not deserting." But Irijah would not listen to me. Instead, he arrested me and took me to the officials.

International Standard Version
Jeremiah said, "It's a lie! I'm not going over to the Chaldeans." But Irijah would not listen to him, and he arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.

Majority Standard Bible
“That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials.

NET Bible
Jeremiah answered, "That's a lie! I am not deserting to the Babylonians." But Irijah would not listen to him. Irijah put Jeremiah under arrest and took him to the officials.

New Heart English Bible
Then Jeremiah said, "It is false; I am not falling away to the Chaldeans." But he did not listen to him; so Irijah laid hold on Jeremiah, and brought him to the officials.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

World English Bible
Then Jeremiah said, “That is false! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.” But he didn’t listen to him; so Irijah seized Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jeremiah says, “Falsehood! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans”; and he has not listened to him, and Irijah lays hold on Jeremiah, and brings him to the heads,

Young's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah saith, 'Falsehood -- I am not falling unto the Chaldeans;' and he hath not hearkened unto him, and Irijah layeth hold on Jeremiah, and bringeth him in unto the heads,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jeremiah will say, A falsehood; I fall not to the Chaldean: And he heard not to him: and Irijah will seize upon Jeremiah and he will bring him to the chiefs.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jeremias answered: It is not so, I am not fleeing to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Jerias took Jeremias and brought him to the princes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Jeremiah responded: “That is false. I am not fleeing to the Chaldeans.” But he did not listen to him. And so Irijah took Jeremiah, and he brought him to the leaders.

New American Bible
“That is a lie!” Jeremiah answered, “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.” Without listening to him, Irijah kept Jeremiah in custody and brought him to the princes.

New Revised Standard Version
And Jeremiah said, “That is a lie; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.” But Irijah would not listen to him, and arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Jeremiah said, You lie; I am not escaping to the Chaldeans. But he would not listen to him; so Neriah seized Jeremiah and brought him to the princes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Jeremiah said to him: “You lie! I do not flee to the Chaldeans!” And he did not listen to him, and Neriah held Jeremiah and brought him to the Princes
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Jeremiah: 'It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans'; but he hearkened not to him; so Irijah laid hold on Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, It is false; I do not flee to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him; and Saruia caught Jeremias, and brought him to the princes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Imprisoned
13But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized him and said, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans!” 14“That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials. 15The officials were angry with Jeremiah, and they beat him and placed him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, for it had been made into a prison.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 38:4-6
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.” / “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.” / So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Jeremiah 20:2
he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

Jeremiah 26:8-11
and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! / How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. / When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. ...

Acts 21:28-33
crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” / For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. / The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. ...

Acts 24:5-9
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...

Matthew 26:59-61
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

John 18:29-30
So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.”

1 Kings 22:27
and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”

2 Chronicles 16:10
Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.

Nehemiah 6:6-8
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” / Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”

Psalm 35:11
Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

Psalm 109:2-4
For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues. / They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. / In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and who can recount His descendants? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was stricken for the transgression of My people.

Lamentations 3:52-54
Without cause my enemies hunted me like a bird. / They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me. / The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die.

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he listened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.

said.

Jeremiah 40:4-6
And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go…

Nehemiah 6:8
Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

Psalm 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

false.

Jump to Previous
Arrested Babylonians Chaldaeans Chaldeans Chalde'ans Deserting Ear Fall Falling Falsehood Hearkened Hold Irijah Iri'jah Jeremiah Laid Officials Princes Prisoner Rulers Seized That's True.
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Arrested Babylonians Chaldaeans Chaldeans Chalde'ans Deserting Ear Fall Falling Falsehood Hearkened Hold Irijah Iri'jah Jeremiah Laid Officials Princes Prisoner Rulers Seized That's True.
Jeremiah 37
1. The Egyptians having raised the siege of the Chaldeans,
3. king Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah to pray for the people.
6. Jeremiah prophesies the Chaldeans' certain return and victory.
11. He is taken for a fugitive, beaten, and put in prison.
16. He assures Zedekiah of the captivity.
18. Entreating for his liberty, he obtains some favor.














That is a lie
This phrase reflects the immediate and strong denial by Jeremiah when accused of defecting to the Babylonians. The Hebrew word for "lie" here is "שֶׁקֶר" (sheqer), which conveys falsehood or deception. In the context of Jeremiah's life, this accusation was not just a personal attack but a challenge to his prophetic integrity. Jeremiah, a prophet called by God, faced constant opposition and false accusations, which were common for prophets who spoke hard truths. This phrase underscores the spiritual battle between truth and falsehood, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible.

Jeremiah replied
The act of replying indicates Jeremiah's willingness to defend the truth despite the risk of further persecution. His response is not just a defense of his personal character but a defense of the message God entrusted to him. Jeremiah's life was marked by obedience to God's call, even when it led to personal suffering. His reply is a testament to his faithfulness and courage, qualities that are essential for anyone called to speak God's truth in a hostile environment.

I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!
The Chaldeans, synonymous with the Babylonians, were the dominant power threatening Judah at the time. The Hebrew root for "deserting" is "נָפַל" (naphal), meaning to fall or defect. Jeremiah's denial of desertion is significant because it highlights his loyalty to his people and his mission. Despite the political turmoil and the temptation to seek safety, Jeremiah remained steadfast. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's calling, even when it seems easier to abandon one's post.

But he did not listen to him
This phrase reflects the tragic reality of hardened hearts and closed ears to God's message. The refusal to listen is a recurring theme in Jeremiah's ministry, as the people of Judah often ignored his warnings. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. The failure to listen to God's prophet led to dire consequences for Judah, illustrating the importance of heeding divine warnings.

So Irijah seized Jeremiah
Irijah, the captain of the guard, represents the authority that opposed Jeremiah. The act of seizing indicates a forceful and unjust arrest. This moment is a microcosm of the larger conflict between God's prophets and worldly powers. Jeremiah's seizure is reminiscent of the suffering faced by many of God's servants throughout history, who were often persecuted for their faithfulness. It serves as an encouragement to remain steadfast in the face of opposition.

and took him to the officials
The officials, representing the leadership of Judah, were often at odds with Jeremiah's message. This phrase highlights the systemic resistance to God's word within the leadership. The officials' role in Jeremiah's persecution underscores the theme of corrupt leadership failing to guide the people according to God's will. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring prophetic voices and the responsibility of leaders to seek and follow God's guidance.

(14) Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.--These were probably, as a body, identical with those named in Jeremiah 36:12, but the party opposed to the prophet were now apparently stronger than they had been. Neither they nor Irijah would listen to the prophet's denial of the accusation. The fact that the siege had been raised by the Chaldaeans may have given fresh strength to the party of resistance. Possibly also many of the prophet's friends had shared the captivity of Jehoiakim.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“That is a lie,”
שֶׁ֗קֶר (še·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

Jeremiah
יִרְמְיָ֜הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

replied.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I am not
אֵינֶ֤נִּי (’ê·nen·nî)
Adverb | first person common singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

deserting
נֹפֵל֙ (nō·p̄êl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Chaldeans!”
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים (hak·kaś·dîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

But Irijah
יִרְאִיָּיה֙ (yir·’î·yāyh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3376: Irijah -- 'Yah sees', an Israelite of Jeremiah's time

would not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

listen
שָׁמַ֖ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to him;
אֵלָ֑יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

instead, he arrested
וַיִּתְפֹּ֤שׂ (way·yiṯ·pōś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8610: To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably

Jeremiah
בְּיִרְמְיָ֔הוּ (bə·yir·mə·yā·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

and took
וַיְבִאֵ֖הוּ (way·ḇi·’ê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

him to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the officials.
הַשָּׂרִֽים׃ (haś·śā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 37:14 Then said Jeremiah It is false (Jer.)
Jeremiah 37:13
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