Jeremiah 38:16 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."

Bible > Jeremiah > Chapter 38 > Verse 16

◄ Jeremiah 38:16 ►

New International Version
But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who want to kill you.”

New Living Translation
So King Zedekiah secretly promised him, “As surely as the LORD our Creator lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to the men who want you dead.”

English Standard Version
Then King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who made our souls, I will not put you to death or deliver you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As the LORD lives, who made our very souls, I will not put you to death, nor will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”

New American Standard Bible
But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, I certainly will not put you to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking your life.”

NASB 1995
But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.”

NASB 1977
But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death, nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life.”

Amplified Bible
But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who made our lives, be assured that I will not put you to death or put you into the hand of these men who are seeking your life.”

Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private, “As the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who intend to take your life.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private, “As the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who want to take your life.”

American Standard Version
So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As Jehovah 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.

Contemporary English Version
He said, "I swear in the name of the living LORD our Creator that I won't have you killed. No one else can hear what we say, and I won't let anyone kill you."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So King Zedekiah secretly swore an oath to Jeremiah, "The LORD gave us life. As the LORD lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who want to kill you."

Good News Translation
So King Zedekiah promised me in secret, "I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you."

International Standard Version
Then King Zedekiah, in secret, swore an oath to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who gave us this life to live, I won't have you put to death, nor will I hand you over to these men who are seeking to kill you."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
So King Zedekiah made a secret promise to Jeremiah and sealed it with an oath. He promised, "As surely as the LORD lives who has given us life and breath, I promise you this: I will not kill you or hand you over to those men who want to kill you."

New Heart English Bible
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, "As the LORD lives, who made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life."

Webster's Bible Translation
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to 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.

World English Bible
So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, “As Yahweh lives, who made our souls, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men who seek your life.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And King Zedekiah swears to Jeremiah in secret, saying, “YHWH lives, He who made this soul for us, I do not put you to death, nor give you into the hand of these men who are seeking your soul.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king Zedekiah sweareth unto Jeremiah in secret, saying, 'Jehovah liveth, He who made for us this soul, I do not put thee to death, nor give thee unto the hand of these men who are seeking thy soul.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Zedekiah will swear to Jeremiah in secret, saying, Jehovah lives who made to us this soul, if I shall put thee to death, and if I shall give thee into the hand of these men who are seeking thy soul.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then king Sedecias swore to Jeremias, in private, saying: As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, nor will I deliver thee into the hands of these men that seek thy life.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then king Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah, secretly, saying: “As the Lord lives, who made this soul for us, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of those men who are seeking your life.”

New American Bible
But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah secretly: “As the LORD lives who gave us our lives, I will not kill you, nor will I hand you over to those men who seek your life.”

New Revised Standard Version
So King Zedekiah swore an oath in secret to Jeremiah, “As the LORD lives, who gave us our lives, I will not put you to death or hand you over to these men who seek your life.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
So King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah in the palace, saying, As the LORD lives, who created soul in us, I will not put you to death, neither will I deliver you into the hand of these men who seek your life.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Tsedeqia swore to Jeremiah in the house secretly, and said: “Living is LORD JEHOVAH who made a soul in us, that I shall not kill you, and I shall not hand you over into the hand of those men who seek your life!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
So Zedekiah the king swore 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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king swore to him, saying, As the Lord lives who gave us this soul, I will not slay thee, neither will I give thee into the hands of these men.

Audio Bible

Context

Jeremiah Rescued
…15“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.” 16But 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.” 17Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 19:6
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

1 Kings 2:23-24
Then King Solomon swore by the LORD: “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if Adonijah has not made this request at the expense of his life. / And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!”

2 Kings 6:31
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”

2 Kings 25:24
And Gedaliah took an oath before them and their men, assuring them, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”

2 Chronicles 36:13
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.

Nehemiah 6:11
But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Psalm 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Psalm 76:11
Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Matthew 14:9
The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted

Mark 6:26
The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.

Acts 23:12-14
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

Treasury of Scripture

So Zedekiah the king swore secretly to Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD lives, that made us this soul, I will not put you to death, neither will I give you into the hand of these men that seek your life.

sware.

Jeremiah 37:17
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.

John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

that made.

Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Numbers 27:16
Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

of these.

Jeremiah 38:1-6
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 34:20
I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.

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Jeremiah 38

1. Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.
7. Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement.
14. Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life.
24. By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes.

Berean Study Bible

But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah
The phrase "But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah" highlights the clandestine nature of the interaction between Zedekiah and Jeremiah. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, is depicted as a ruler caught between fear of his officials and a desire to hear God's word through Jeremiah. The secrecy indicates Zedekiah's lack of courage and conviction, as he is unwilling to publicly align himself with Jeremiah. Historically, this reflects the political instability and fear of Babylonian reprisal that characterized Zedekiah's reign. The Hebrew root for "swore" (שָׁבַע, shava) implies a solemn oath, underscoring the seriousness of Zedekiah's promise despite its secretive nature.

'As surely as the LORD lives
The phrase "'As surely as the LORD lives" is a common oath formula in the Old Testament, invoking the living God as a witness to the truth and sincerity of one's words. This expression emphasizes the reality and sovereignty of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. In the context of Zedekiah's oath, it is ironic because, despite invoking the living God, Zedekiah's actions often demonstrate a lack of true faith and obedience to God's commands. The Hebrew word for "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the personal name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

who has given us this life
The phrase "who has given us this life" acknowledges God as the source of life and existence. This recognition of God's providence is significant, as it reflects a theological understanding that life itself is a gift from God. In the context of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, this acknowledgment serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over life and death, a theme prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. The Hebrew word for "life" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) can also mean "soul" or "being," indicating the depth of God's involvement in the creation and sustenance of human life.

I will not put you to death
The phrase "I will not put you to death" is Zedekiah's assurance to Jeremiah of his personal safety. This promise is significant given the hostile environment Jeremiah faced due to his unpopular prophecies. Zedekiah's assurance reflects his recognition of Jeremiah's role as a prophet, yet it also highlights his weakness as a leader, as he is unable to protect Jeremiah openly. The historical context reveals the tension between the prophetic message and the political pressures of the time, with Zedekiah caught in the middle.

or deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life
The phrase "or deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life" underscores the danger Jeremiah faced from those who opposed his message. The "men" referred to are likely the officials and leaders of Judah who saw Jeremiah's prophecies as treasonous and demoralizing. This part of the verse highlights the theme of persecution faced by God's prophets, a recurring motif in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word for "deliver" (נָתַן, natan) means "to give" or "to hand over," indicating the potential betrayal Jeremiah faced from his own people. This phrase serves as a reminder of the cost of faithfulness to God's calling, as well as the protection God provides to His servants, even in the midst of adversity.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul.--The formula of the oath was obviously intended to be one of unusual solemnity; more so even than the simpler form of "The Lord liveth" (Jeremiah 16:14-15). The king swears by Jehovah as the living God, author and giver of his own life. The two-fold promise shows that the king felt the implied reproof of Jeremiah's question. He separates himself from those who sought the prophet's life, and declares that for the future he will not give them even the sanction of acquiescence. It is characteristic of his weakness that even now the oath is given secretly.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - That made us this soul. A very unusual formula (comp. Isaiah 57:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But King
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

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

swore
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֞ע (way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

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

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

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

“As surely as the LORD
יְהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

lives,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

who
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has given
עָשָׂה־ (‘ā·śāh-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

us this
הַזֹּאת֙ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

life,
הַנֶּ֤פֶשׁ (han·ne·p̄eš)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

I will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

kill you
אֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ (’ă·mî·ṯe·ḵā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

or hand you over to
אֶתֶּנְךָ֗ (’et·ten·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

these
הָאֵ֔לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

are seeking
מְבַקְשִׁ֖ים (mə·ḇaq·šîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

your life.”
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃ (nap̄·še·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:16 So Zedekiah the king swore secretly (Jer.)