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Jeremiah 38:26

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 38:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan`s house, to die there.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan`s house, to die there.
Jeremiah 38:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23And they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans; and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
24Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
25But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king; hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:
26then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan`s house, to die there.
27Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him; and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
28So Jeremiah abode in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.
← Jeremiah 38:25Jeremiah 38:27 →
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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
“Then thou shalt say unto them, etc.] Here the king puts words into the prophet’s mouth, what he should say to the princes, to put them off from inquiring further, and so keep the matter a secret: I presented my supplication before the king; or “caused [it] to fall”f726; delivered it in an humble and submissive manner: that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan’s house, to die there; this he had entreated of the king before, (<243720>Jeremiah 37:20); and now, no doubt, renewed his request, having this fair opportunity with the king alone to do it; or, however, it is highly probable he did it upon this hint of the king. This shows how much the king stood in fear of his princes in this…”
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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
“presented--literally, "made my supplication to fall"; implying supplication with humble prostration (see on Jer 36:7). Jonathan's house-- (Jer 37:15), different from Malchiah's dungeon (Jer 38:6). This statement was true, though not the whole truth; the princes had no right to the information; no sanction is given by Scripture here to Jeremiah's representation of this being the cause of his having come to the king. Fear drove him to it. Compare Gen 20:2, Gen 20:12; on the other hand, Sa1 16:2, Sa1 16:5. left off speaking with--Hebrew, "were silent from him," that is, withdrawing from him they left him quiet (Sa1 7:8, Margin).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jer 37:15, Jer 37:20, Jer 42:2; Est 4:8 Jeremiah 38:27”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 38 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification