Jeremiah 38:5
New International Version
“He is in your hands,” King Zedekiah answered. “The king can do nothing to oppose you.”

New Living Translation
King Zedekiah agreed. “All right,” he said. “Do as you like. I can’t stop you.”

English Standard Version
King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”

King James Bible
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

New King James Version
Then Zedekiah the king said, “Look, he is in your hand. For the king can do nothing against you.”

New American Standard Bible
And King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you.”

NASB 1995
So King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you.”

NASB 1977
So King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you.”

Amplified Bible
Then King Zedekiah [fearing the princes] said, “Listen, he is in your hand; for the king is in no position to do anything against you.”

Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah said, “Here he is; he’s in your hands since the king can’t do anything against you.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Zedekiah said, “Here he is; he’s in your hands since the king can’t do anything against you.”

American Standard Version
And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do anything against you.

Contemporary English Version
Zedekiah replied, "Do what you want with him. I can't stop you."

English Revised Version
And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Zedekiah answered, "He's in your hands. I won't do anything to stop you."

Good News Translation
King Zedekiah answered, "Very well, then, do what you want to with him; I can't stop you."

International Standard Version
King Zedekiah said, "Look, he's in your hands, and the king can do nothing to you."

Majority Standard Bible
?Here he is,? replied King Zedekiah. ?He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.?

NET Bible
King Zedekiah said to them, "Very well, you can do what you want with him. For I cannot do anything to stop you."

New Heart English Bible
Zedekiah the king said, "Look, he is in your hand; for the king is not he who can do anything against you."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

World English Bible
Zedekiah the king said, “Behold, he is in your hand; for the king can’t do anything to oppose you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Zedekiah says, “Behold, he [is] in your hand: for the king is not able [to do] anything against you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king Zedekiah saith, 'Lo, he is in your hand: for the king is not able for you in anything.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Zedekiah will say, Behold him in your hands; for the king will not be able a word with you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Sedecias said: Behold he is in your hands: for it is not lawful for the king to deny you any thing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And king Zedekiah said: “Behold, he is in your hands. For it is not fitting for the king to deny you anything.”

New American Bible
King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your hands,” for the king could do nothing with them.

New Revised Standard Version
King Zedekiah said, “Here he is; he is in your hands; for the king is powerless against you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then King Zedekiah said, Behold, he is in your hands; for the king cannot say anything to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Tsedeqia said: “Behold he is delivered into your hands, because the King cannot say anything to you”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Zedekiah the king said: 'Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the king said, Behold, he is in your hands. For the king could not resist them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah Cast Into the Cistern
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.” 6So 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.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 37:17
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.”

Jeremiah 39:5-7
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.

2 Kings 25:4-7
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. ...

Lamentations 4:20
The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”

Ezekiel 12:13
But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.

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.

2 Kings 24:17-20
Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. / Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. / And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done. ...

Jeremiah 21:7
‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

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.

Jeremiah 52:8-11
but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on Zedekiah. / There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah. ...

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

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 24:27
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Acts 25:9
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”

Luke 23:24-25
So Pilate sentenced that their demand be met. / As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over to their will.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

for.

1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

1 Samuel 29:9
And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.

2 Samuel 3:39
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

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Able Hand Hands Oppose Zedekiah Zedeki'ah
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.














Here he is,
This phrase indicates the presence and availability of Jeremiah, the prophet. Jeremiah was often found in the court of the guard, a place where he was confined but still accessible. His presence here signifies his role as a prophet who was consistently available to deliver God's messages, despite opposition and personal risk.

replied King Zedekiah.
King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His reign was marked by political instability and pressure from both Babylon and Egypt. Zedekiah's interactions with Jeremiah reveal his internal conflict and weakness as a leader. Despite recognizing Jeremiah as a prophet, Zedekiah often vacillated between listening to him and succumbing to the demands of his officials.

He is in your hands,
This statement reflects Zedekiah's relinquishment of authority over Jeremiah to his officials. It highlights the king's lack of resolve and his tendency to yield to the pressures of his court. This phrase also underscores the political dynamics of the time, where the king's power was often undermined by influential advisors and officials.

since the king can do nothing to stop you.
Zedekiah's admission of powerlessness is significant. It illustrates his inability to protect Jeremiah, despite knowing the prophet's divine mandate. This phrase also reflects the broader theme of divine sovereignty versus human authority, a recurring motif in the book of Jeremiah. Zedekiah's weakness foreshadows the impending judgment and fall of Jerusalem, as prophesied by Jeremiah. This situation can be seen as a type of Christ, where Jesus, like Jeremiah, was handed over to authorities despite being innocent, fulfilling God's redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Zedekiah
The last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of the Babylonian siege. He was a weak ruler, often swayed by his officials and unable to stand firm in his decisions.

2. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. In this context, he is imprisoned for speaking God's truth.

3. Officials of Judah
These were the princes or leaders who opposed Jeremiah's prophecies and sought to silence him by any means, including imprisonment and death.

4. The Cistern
A pit or well where Jeremiah was thrown, symbolizing the depths of despair and the rejection of God's message by the people.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, under siege by the Babylonians, representing the center of political and spiritual turmoil.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Weak Leadership
Zedekiah's inability to stand firm in his convictions led to disastrous consequences for himself and his people. Leaders must seek God's wisdom and courage to make righteous decisions.

The Cost of Ignoring God's Word
The officials' rejection of Jeremiah's message illustrates the peril of ignoring divine warnings. We must be attentive and responsive to God's guidance in our lives.

The Power of Peer Pressure
Zedekiah's actions were heavily influenced by his officials. This serves as a reminder to evaluate whose voices we allow to influence our decisions.

God's Faithfulness Amidst Rejection
Despite being rejected and persecuted, Jeremiah remained faithful to his calling. We are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith, even when facing opposition.

The Importance of Courageous Faith
Jeremiah's courage in speaking God's truth, despite the threat to his life, challenges us to boldly proclaim our faith and trust in God's protection.Verse 5. - He is in your hand. The growing power of the "princes" (see on Jeremiah 22:4) seems to have confined the king to a merely secondary role.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Here
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

he is,”
ה֖וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

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

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

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

“He is in your hands,
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם (bə·yeḏ·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

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

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

can do nothing
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

to stop you.”
דָּבָֽר׃ (dā·ḇār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:5 Zedekiah the king said Behold he (Jer.)
Jeremiah 38:4
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