Jeremiah 38:4
New International Version
Then the officials said to the king, “This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.”

New Living Translation
So these officials went to the king and said, “Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!”

English Standard Version
Then the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

New King James Version
Therefore the princes said to the king, “Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm.”

New American Standard Bible
Then the officials said to the king, “Please have this man put to death, since he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking words like these to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but rather their harm.”

NASB 1995
Then the officials said to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm.”

NASB 1977
Then the officials said to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but rather their harm.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the officials said to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is making the hands of the men of war who remain in this city as well as the hands of all the people limp, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking peace for this people but rather calamity.”

Amplified Bible
Therefore the princes (court officials) said to the king, “Please [we implore you] let this man [Jeremiah] be put to death; for [speaking] in this way he discourages and weakens [the will of] the soldiers who remain in this city and he discourages and weakens [the will of] all the people by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but rather their harm.”

Christian Standard Bible
The officials then said to the king, “This man ought to die, because he is weakening the morale of the warriors who remain in this city and of all the people by speaking to them in this way. This man is not pursuing the welfare of this people, but their harm.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The officials then said to the king, “This man ought to die, because he is weakening the morale of the warriors who remain in this city and of all the people by speaking to them in this way. This man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but disaster.”

American Standard Version
Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

Contemporary English Version
So the four of them went to the king and said, "You should put Jeremiah to death, because he is making the soldiers and everyone else lose hope. He isn't trying to help our people; he's trying to harm them."

English Revised Version
Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the officials said to the king, "Have this man put to death. He discourages the soldiers who are left in this city and all the people by telling them such things. This man is not trying to help these people; he's trying to hurt them."

Good News Translation
Then the officials went to the king and said, "This man must be put to death. By talking like this he is making the soldiers in the city lose their courage, and he is doing the same thing to everyone else left in the city. He is not trying to help the people; he only wants to hurt them."

International Standard Version
Then the officials told the king, "Let this man be put to death because he's undermining the efforts of the soldiers who remain in this city and that of all the people by speaking words like these to them. Indeed, this man is not seeking the well-being of this people, but rather their harm."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
So these officials said to the king, "This man must be put to death. For he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in the city as well as all the other people there by these things he is saying. This man is not seeking to help these people but is trying to harm them."

New Heart English Bible
Then the officials said to the king, "Please let this man be put to death; because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man doesn't seek the welfare of this people, but the hurt."

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the princes said to the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

World English Bible
Then the princes said to the king, “Please let this man be put to death, because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them; for this man doesn’t seek the welfare of this people, but harm.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the heads say to the king, “Now let this man be put to death, because that he is making feeble the hands of the men of war who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking to them according to these words, for this man is not seeking for the peace of this people, but for its calamity.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the heads say unto the king, 'Let, we pray thee, this man be put to death, because that he is making feeble the hands of the men of war, who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking unto them according to these words, for this man is not seeking for the peace of this people, but for its evil.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chiefs will say to the king, Now shall this man be put to death: for thus he is relaxing the hands of the men of war remaining in this city, and the hands of all the people to speak to them according to these words; for this man sought not for peace to this people but for evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the princes said to the king: We beseech thee that this man may be put to death: for on purpose he weakeneth the hands of the men of war, that remain in this city, and the hands of the people, speaking to them according to these words: for this man seeketh not peace to this people, but evil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the leaders said to the king: “We petition you to put this man to death. For he is deliberately weakening the hands of the men of war, who have remained in this city, and the hands of the people, by speaking to them with these words. For this man is certainly not seeking peace for this people, but evil.”

New American Bible
Then the princes said to the king, “This man ought to be put to death. He is weakening the resolve of the soldiers left in this city and of all the people, by saying such things to them; he is not seeking the welfare of our people, but their ruin.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to be put to death, because he is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the princes said to the king, Let this man be put to death; for it is he who is weakening the hands of the men of war who remain in this city and the hands of all the people in speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Princes said to the King: “Let this man be killed, because he is weakening the hands of the men the Servants of war who are left in this city and the hands of all the people to whom he spoke this message, because this man does not desire peace for this people, but only evil”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the princes said unto the king: 'Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them; for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they said to the king. Let that man, wee pray thee, be slain, for he weakens the hands of the fighting men that are left in the city, and the hands of all the people, speaking to them according to these words: for this man does not prophesy peace to this people, but evil.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Cast Into the Cistern
3This is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.” 4Then 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.” 5“Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”…

Cross References
Jeremiah 26:11
Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man is worthy of death, for he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears!”

Jeremiah 37:13-15
But 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!” / “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. / The 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.

1 Kings 18:17-18
When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” / “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

1 Kings 22:8
The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.

Amos 7:10-13
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words, / for this is what Amos has said: ‘Jeroboam will die by the sword, and Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’” / And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah; earn your bread there and do your prophesying there. ...

Matthew 27:1-2
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death. / They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.

John 11:47-53
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...

Acts 6:12-14
So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 21:28-31
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. ...

Luke 23:1-2
Then the whole council rose and led Jesus away to Pilate. / And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Mark 14:55-64
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...

John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

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, ...

2 Chronicles 24:20-21
Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.

Nehemiah 6:6-7
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.”


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore the princes said to the king, We beseech you, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them: for this man seeks not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

the princes.

Jeremiah 26:11,21-23
Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears…

Jeremiah 36:12-16
Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes…

2 Chronicles 24:21
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

thus.

Exodus 5:4
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

1 Kings 18:17,18
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? …

1 Kings 21:20
And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD.

welfare.

Jeremiah 29:7
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

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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.














Then the officials said to the king
The "officials" here refer to the princes or leaders of Judah, who held significant influence in the royal court. In Hebrew, the term used is "śārîm," which denotes rulers or leaders. Historically, these officials were often more concerned with political stability and their own power than with spiritual truths. Their approach to King Zedekiah reflects a common biblical theme where leaders prioritize political expediency over divine instruction. This phrase sets the stage for the tension between Jeremiah, a prophet of God, and the political leaders who resist his message.

This man ought to die
The phrase "ought to die" reveals the severity of the officials' judgment against Jeremiah. In Hebrew, the word "môt" (to die) is used, indicating a death sentence. This reflects the extreme measures the leaders were willing to take to silence a prophetic voice that challenged their authority and the status quo. It underscores the recurring biblical theme of persecution faced by prophets who speak God's truth in the face of opposition.

for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers
The expression "weakening the hands" is a Hebrew idiom that means to demoralize or discourage. The officials accuse Jeremiah of sapping the morale of the soldiers defending Jerusalem. This accusation highlights the tension between faith and fear, as Jeremiah's message of surrender to Babylon was seen as defeatist, yet it was God's directive for survival. The soldiers' "hands" symbolize their strength and resolve, which the officials claim Jeremiah is undermining.

who are left in this city
The phrase "who are left" indicates the dire situation in Jerusalem, as many had already been taken captive or killed. The remnant in the city were under siege, facing starvation and despair. This context emphasizes the desperation of the leaders to maintain control and hope, even if it meant rejecting God's message through Jeremiah. The city, Jerusalem, holds significant theological importance as the center of Jewish worship and identity, making its impending fall a profound spiritual crisis.

and the hands of all the people
Beyond the soldiers, Jeremiah's message is said to affect "all the people," indicating the widespread impact of his prophetic words. The Hebrew term for "people" is "ʿam," which often refers to the collective community of Israel. This highlights the communal nature of the crisis and the leaders' fear of losing public support. It also reflects the biblical principle that the spiritual state of a nation is interconnected with its leadership and prophetic voices.

by speaking such words to them
The "words" Jeremiah spoke were not his own but God's, calling for surrender to Babylon as a means of preservation. The Hebrew word "dāḇār" (word) often carries the weight of divine communication. This phrase underscores the power of prophetic speech to challenge, convict, and call for repentance. It also illustrates the resistance of human hearts to divine truth when it contradicts personal or national desires.

For this man is not seeking the well-being of these people
The officials accuse Jeremiah of not seeking the "well-being" or "peace" (Hebrew "šālôm") of the people. Ironically, Jeremiah's message was indeed for their ultimate peace, as surrender would lead to life rather than destruction. This accusation reveals the leaders' misunderstanding of true peace, which in biblical terms is aligned with God's will, not merely the absence of conflict.

but their ruin
The term "ruin" (Hebrew "rāʿ") signifies disaster or evil. The officials wrongly interpret Jeremiah's warnings as intentions for harm. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's corrective measures are perceived as punitive rather than redemptive. The leaders' inability to see beyond immediate circumstances to God's greater plan for restoration is a cautionary tale about spiritual blindness and the rejection of divine guidance.

(4) Let this man be put to death.--The hatred of the princes of Judah becomes more bitter than ever, and they seek to overcome the king's lingering reverence for the prophet. In the reign of Jehoiakim they had said that he was worthy of death (Jeremiah 26:11). Within the last few weeks he had been thrown into a loathsome dungeon, from which the king had but just delivered him. Now they press for a yet severer sentence. The weak king, conscious of his want of power to resist, yields a reluctant consent. The whole history reminds us of Pilate's conduct in circumstances more or less analogous.

Verse 4. - For thus; literally, for therefore; i.e. because he is left in impunity (camp. the use of the phrase in Jeremiah 29:28). He weakeneth the hands of the men of war; i.e. he dispirits them. It is important to get this "outside view" of the preaching of Jeremiah. There is evidently some excuse for the opponents of Jeremiah. It was a matter of life and death to resist the Chaldeans, and Jeremiah was, according to the politicians, playing into the hands of the enemy (see further in general Introduction). The addition of the words, that remain, shows that the bitter end of the resistance was fast approaching.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

said
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

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

“This
הַזֶּה֒ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

man
הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

ought to die,
י֣וּמַת (yū·maṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
הֽוּא־ (hū-)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is discouraging
מְרַפֵּ֡א (mə·rap·pê)
Direct object marker
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

the warriors
אַנְשֵׁ֨י (’an·šê)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who remain
הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים ׀ (han·niš·’ā·rîm)
Preposition, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

in this
הַזֹּ֗את (haz·zōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

city,
בָּעִ֣יר (bā·‘îr)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

as well as all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Preposition | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

by speaking
לְדַבֵּ֣ר (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

such
הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Conjunction
Strong's 428: These, those

words
כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים (kad·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to them;
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this
הַזֶּ֗ה (haz·zeh)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

man
הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

is not
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

seeking
דֹרֵ֧שׁ (ḏō·rêš)
Preposition | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

the well-being
לְשָׁל֛וֹם (lə·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

of these
הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh)
Conjunction
Strong's 2088: This, that

people,
לָעָ֥ם (lā·‘ām)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

but
כִּ֣י ׀ (kî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

their ruin.”
לְרָעָֽה׃ (lə·rā·‘āh)
Preposition-l | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:4 Then the princes said to the king (Jer.)
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