Jeremiah 37:17
New International Version
Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the LORD?” “Yes,” Jeremiah replied, “you will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.”

New Living Translation
Later King Zedekiah secretly requested that Jeremiah come to the palace, where the king asked him, “Do you have any messages from the LORD?” “Yes, I do!” said Jeremiah. “You will be defeated by the king of Babylon.”

English Standard Version
King Zedekiah sent for him and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house and said, “Is there any word from the LORD?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” Then he said, “You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

Berean Standard Bible
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

King James Bible
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

New King James Version
then Zedekiah the king sent and took him out. The king asked him secretly in his house, and said, “Is there any word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is.” Then he said, “You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

New American Standard Bible
Now King Zedekiah sent men and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon!”

NASB 1995
Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

NASB 1977
Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, “Is there a word from Yahweh?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!”

Amplified Bible
Zedekiah the king sent and brought him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him, “Is there any word from the LORD?” And Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah later sent for him and received him, and in his house privately asked him, “Is there a word from the LORD? ” “There is,” Jeremiah responded. He continued, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah later sent for him and received him, and in his house privately asked him, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah responded, and he continued, “You will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

American Standard Version
then Zedekiah the king sent, and fetched him: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from Jehovah? And Jeremiah said, There is. He said also, Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Contemporary English Version
King Zedekiah secretly had me brought to his palace, where he asked, "Is there any message for us from the LORD?" "Yes, there is, Your Majesty," I replied. "The LORD is going to let the king of Babylonia capture you."

English Revised Version
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and fetched him: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is. He said also, Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah, and the king asked him privately in the palace, "Is there any message from the LORD?" Jeremiah answered, "Yes! There is a message from the LORD. You will be handed over to the king of Babylon."

Good News Translation
Later on King Zedekiah sent for me, and there in the palace he asked me privately, "Is there any message from the LORD?" "There is," I answered, and added, "You will be handed over to the king of Babylonia."

International Standard Version
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house: "Is there a message from the LORD?" Jeremiah said, "There is," and then he said, "You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon."

Majority Standard Bible
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

NET Bible
Then King Zedekiah had him brought to the palace. There he questioned him privately and asked him, "Is there any message from the LORD?" Jeremiah answered, "Yes, there is." Then he announced, "You will be handed over to the king of Babylon."

New Heart English Bible
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and fetched him: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, "Is there any word from the LORD?" Jeremiah said, "There is." He said also, "You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

World English Bible
then Zedekiah the king sent and had him brought out. The king asked him secretly in his house, “Is there any word from Yahweh?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” He also said, “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and King Zedekiah sends, and takes him, and the king asks him in his house in secret, and says, “Is there a word from YHWH?” And Jeremiah says, “There is,” and he says, “You are given into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

Young's Literal Translation
and the king Zedekiah sendeth, and taketh him, and the king asketh him in his house in secret, and saith, 'Is there a word from Jehovah?' And Jeremiah saith, 'There is,' and he saith, 'Into the hand of the king of Babylon thou art given.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Zedekiah will send and take him, and the king will ask him in his house in secret, and say, Is there a word from Jehovah? and Jeremiah will say, There is: and he will say, Into the hand of the king of Babel shalt thou be given.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Sedecias the king, sending, took him: and asked him secretly in his house, and said: Is there, thinkest thou, any word from the Lord? And Jeremias said: There is. And he said: Thou shalt be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Zedekiah the king, sending, took him out and questioned him secretly in his house, and he said: “Do you think that there is any word from the Lord?” And Jeremiah said: “There is.” And he said: “You will be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.”

New American Bible
Then King Zedekiah had him brought to his palace, and he asked him secretly, “Is there any word from the LORD?” “There is!” Jeremiah answered: “You shall be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then King Zedekiah sent for him, and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house, and said, “Is there any word from the LORD?” Jeremiah said, “There is!” Then he said, “You shall be handed over to the king of Babylon.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then King Zedekiah sent and brought him up; and the king conferred with him secretly in the palace and said to him, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is. And the king said, What is it? Then Jeremiah said, You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Tsedeqia sent and he brought him up and the King asked him in the house secretly and he said to him: "Has a word gone out from before LORD JEHOVAH?" And Jeremiah said, "It has gone out”, and the King said, "What sort went out?" And he said: "Into the hand of the King of Babel you shall be handed over"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then Zedekiah the king sent, and fetched him; and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said: 'Is there any word from the LORD?' And Jeremiah said: 'There is.' He said also: 'Thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then Sedekias sent, and called him; and the king asked him secretly, saying, Is there a word from the Lord? and he said, There is: thou shalt be delivered into the hands of the king of Babylon.
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Imprisoned
16So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time. 17Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” 18Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people, that you have put me in prison?…

Cross References
Jeremiah 38:14-16
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.”

Jeremiah 21:2
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

Jeremiah 34:2-3
The LORD, the God of Israel, told Jeremiah to go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him that this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. / And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon.

2 Kings 25:1-2
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year.

Ezekiel 17:15-18
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. ...

2 Chronicles 36:11-13
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. / He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Jeremiah 32:3-5
For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. / Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye. / He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.’”

Jeremiah 52:3-5
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon. / So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year.

Isaiah 39:5-7
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts: / The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Lamentations 1:18
The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against His command. Listen, all you people; look upon my suffering. My young men and maidens have gone into captivity.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 21:20-24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ...

John 18:33-37
Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ...

Acts 24:24-26
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” / At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

Acts 25:23-27
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. / Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. / But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, you shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

asked.

Jeremiah 38:5,14-16,24-27
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you…

1 Kings 14:1-4
At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick…

Is there.

Jeremiah 37:3
And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.

Jeremiah 21:1,2
The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, …

1 Kings 22:16
And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

thou shalt.

Jeremiah 21:7
And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Jeremiah 24:8
And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

Jeremiah 29:16-18
Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity; …

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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.














Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah
King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, was a ruler during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and impending Babylonian conquest. His decision to send for Jeremiah indicates a moment of desperation or seeking divine guidance. Historically, Zedekiah was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and his reign was characterized by a struggle between allegiance to Babylon and the desire for independence. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a deliberate action, suggesting Zedekiah's recognition of Jeremiah's prophetic authority despite previous hostilities.

and received him in his palace
The palace, a symbol of royal authority and power, becomes the setting for this private encounter. This setting underscores the gravity of the situation, as Zedekiah seeks counsel away from the public eye. The Hebrew term for "received" (קָחַת, qachath) can imply taking or fetching, indicating Zedekiah's active role in seeking out Jeremiah, perhaps reflecting a moment of humility or acknowledgment of Jeremiah's connection to God.

where he asked him privately
The privacy of this meeting highlights Zedekiah's internal conflict and fear of public perception. In a time when prophets were often persecuted, a private audience suggests Zedekiah's cautious approach to seeking truth. The Hebrew word for "privately" (סֵתֶר, sether) conveys secrecy or concealment, emphasizing the king's vulnerability and the sensitive nature of his inquiry.

'Is there a word from the LORD?'
This question reveals Zedekiah's hope for divine intervention or a favorable prophecy. The phrase "word from the LORD" (דָּבָר מֵאֵת יְהוָה, davar me'et Yahweh) is significant in prophetic literature, indicating a direct communication from God. It reflects the king's awareness of Jeremiah's role as a true prophet, despite previous resistance to his messages.

'There is,' Jeremiah replied
Jeremiah's affirmation, "There is," underscores his unwavering commitment to delivering God's message, regardless of its reception. The Hebrew word for "replied" (אָמַר, amar) is a common term for speaking, but in this context, it carries the weight of prophetic authority. Jeremiah's response is immediate and confident, reflecting his faithfulness to his calling.

'You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.'
This prophecy is a reiteration of the inevitable judgment upon Judah due to their disobedience. The phrase "delivered into the hand" (נָתַן בְּיַד, natan b'yad) is a Hebrew idiom indicating surrender or defeat. Historically, this prophecy aligns with the Babylonian siege and eventual capture of Jerusalem. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring God's warnings, yet it also reflects God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His word through His prophets.

(17) Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out . . .--The king seems to have been at once better than his counsellors, and afraid of them. He regrets the severity of the prophet's treatment, and hopes that there may yet be "a word of the Lord" less harsh than before, and with this view summons him to his palace, as before he had sent asking for his intercession. The prophet is, however, true to his calling, and not even the hope of gaining protection against his persecutors will lead him to change one jot or tittle of his message. He answers with a stern abruptness, and adds the new prediction, that the king himself shall be taken prisoner,--what is now reported being earlier than Jeremiah 32:4-5.

Verse 17. - Meantime the Chaldean army has returned, and reinvested the city. Zedekiah, in his anxiety, sends for Jeremiah privately to his palace. Thou shalt be delivered, etc. (comp. Jeremiah 32:3, 4; Jeremiah 34:2, 3).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Later, King
הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Zedekiah
צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ (ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites

sent for him
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

and received him,
וַיִּקָּחֵ֗הוּ (way·yiq·qā·ḥê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

and in his palace
בְּבֵיתוֹ֙ (bə·ḇê·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

he privately
בַּסֵּ֔תֶר (bas·sê·ṯer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy

asked,
וַיִּשְׁאָלֵ֨הוּ (way·yiš·’ā·lê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

“Is there
הֲיֵ֥שׁ (hă·yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

a word
דָּבָ֖ר (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

from the LORD?”
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“There is,”
יֵ֔שׁ (yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

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

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

“You will be handed over to
בְּיַ֥ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

the king
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon.”
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 37:17 Then Zedekiah the king sent and fetched (Jer.)
Jeremiah 37:16
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