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Jeremiah 37:13

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 37:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he laid hold on Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou art falling away to the Chaldeans.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he laid hold on Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou art falling away to the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 37:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 37

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yea would they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.
11And it came to pass that, when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh`s army,
12then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to receive his portion there, in the midst of the people.
13And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he laid hold on Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou art falling away to the Chaldeans.
14Then 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.
15And the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe; for they had made that the prison.
16When Jeremiah was come into the dungeon-house, and into the cells, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;
← Jeremiah 37:12Jeremiah 37:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, etc.] One of the gates of the city so called, either because it stood in the tribe of Benjamin, as part of Jerusalem did; or because it led to the land of Benjamin, whither the prophet was going: and just as he had got to that gate, and was going through it, he was stopped by a captain of the ward there; who was placed at this gate, that none should go out to the Chaldeans, according to Kimchi; but rather he was the keeper of the gate, not at this time only, but always; Josephusf707 calls him one of the rulers: whose name [was] Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah: the grandson as some think, of that Hananiah the false prophet, of whose…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ward--that is, the "guard," or "watch." Hananiah--whose death Jeremiah predicted (Jer 28:16). The grandson in revenge takes Jeremiah into custody on the charge of deserting ("thou fallest away," Jer 38:19; Jer 52:15; Sa1 29:3) to the enemy. His prophecies gave color to the charge (Jer 21:9; Jer 38:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A captain of the ward - Captain of the watch, whose business was to examine all who went in and out. The gate of Benjamin - The northern gate, also called the gate of Ephraim. Thou fallest away ... - His well-known views made Jeremiah a suspected person, though the charge was groundless. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of Benjamin - The gate that looked toward the inheritance of that tribe. Jeremiah 37:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“37:13-16 The sentry and other officials of Judah misinterpreted Jeremiah’s action as desertion.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in the: Jer 38:7; Zac 14:10 Hananiah: Jer 38:1, Jer 38:10-17, Jer 36:12 Thou: Jer 18:18, Jer 20:10, Jer 21:9, Jer 27:6, Jer 27:12, Jer 27:13, Jer 28:14, Jer 38:4, Jer 38:17; Amo 7:10; Luk 23:2; Act 6:11, Act 24:5-9, Act 24:13; Co2 6:8 Jeremiah 37:14”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When he was entering the gate of Benjamin, where Jeriah the son of Shelemiah kept watch, the latter seized him, saying, "Thou desirest to go over to the Chaldeans" (נפל אל־, see on Jer 21:9). The gate of Benjamin ( Jer 38:7; Jer 14:10) was the north gate of the city, through which ran the road to Benjamin and Ephraim; hence it was also called the gate of Ephraim, Kg2 14:13; Neh 8:16. בּעל, "holder of the oversight," he who kept the watch, or commander of the watch at the gate. "The accusation was founded on the well-known views and opinions of Jeremiah ( Jer 21:9); but it was mere sophistry, for the simple reason that the Chaldeans were no longer lying before the city" (Hitzig). Jeremiah…”
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Related study paths

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