Jeremiah 38:14-18 Meaning: The Truth We Fear to Follow
14Then Zedekiah the king sent and took Jeremiah the prophet to himself into the third entry that is in Yahweh’s house. Then the king said to Jeremiah, “I will ask you something. Hide nothing from me.”
15Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “If I declare it to you, will you not surely put me to death? If I give you counsel, you will not listen to me.”
16So 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.”
17Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Yahweh, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you will go out to the king of Babylon’s princes, then your soul will live, and this city will not be burned with fire. You will live, along with your house.
18But if you will not go out to the king of Babylon’s princes, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they will burn it with fire, and you won’t escape out of their hand.’”
14Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the Lord: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
15Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
16So 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.
17Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
14Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of Jehovah: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
15Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.
16So 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.
17Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If thou wilt go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thy house.
18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
14And the king Zedekiah sendeth, and taketh Jeremiah the prophet unto him, unto the third entrance that is in the house of Jehovah, and the king saith unto Jeremiah, `I am asking thee a thing, do not hide from me anything.'
15And Jeremiah saith unto Zedekiah, `When I declare to thee, dost thou not surely put me to death? and when I counsel thee, thou dost not hearken unto me.'
16And 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.'
17And Jeremiah saith unto Zedekiah, `Thus said Jehovah, God of Hosts, God of Israel: If thou dost certainly go forth unto the heads of the king of Babylon, then hath thy soul lived, and this city is not burned with fire, yea, thou hast lived, thou and thy house.
18And if thou dost not go forth unto the heads of the king of Babylon, then hath this city been given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they have burnt it with fire, and thou dost not escape from their hand.'
14And king Zedekiah sent and took the prophet Jeremiah unto him, into the third entry that is in the house of Jehovah; and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing: hide nothing from me.
15And Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare [it] unto thee, wilt thou not certainly put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.
16And king Zedekiah swore 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.
17And Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, Thus saith Jehovah the God of hosts, the God of Israel: If thou wilt freely go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thy house.
18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
Meaning in one sentence
King Zedekiah secretly asks Jeremiah for the truth, but fears surrendering to Babylon. The prophet's clear choice reveals the cost of fearing people over God.
Context
Chapter 38 finds Jeremiah in a pit, literally. He had been thrown into a muddy cistern for speaking God's word, then rescued by an Ethiopian official. Now the king sends for him. They meet at a private entrance in the temple. Zedekiah has already heard God's message through Jeremiah many times, but kept hoping for a different answer. The Babylonians surround the city. The king wants a fresh word from God, yet demands secrecy. He asks for truth but is not sure he can live with it. This private conversation becomes a revealing picture of a man caught between knowing God's will and doing it.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind 'hide' (kachad) carries weight: to conceal or to cut off. Zedekiah wants no secrets, but he himself is hiding from obedience. The word 'soul' (nephesh) appears three times. The king swears by the God who 'made us this soul.' Jeremiah promises 'your soul will live.' The men who 'seek your life' use the same word. God gives breath; God can preserve it. And 'go out' (yatsa) is the key verb, a humbling act of walking out in surrender. Each word calls the king toward the truth, toward life, toward humility. The path to survival began with one step out the gate.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this scene with compassion for Zedekiah's struggle. Reformed commentator John Calvin notes that Jeremiah wisely asked for protection before speaking, since the king had previously allowed him to be thrown into a cistern. Matthew Henry observes that Zedekiah knew God was the one 'who made us this soul,' yet he still could not bring himself to obey. Baptist scholar John Gill points out the secrecy of the oath, the king hid his meeting with the prophet, which showed his fear of the officials. Across traditions, readers see a man who sincerely wanted God's word but was paralyzed by what others might do.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that God was commanding His people to betray their faith by surrendering to pagans. In fact, surrender was a way to save lives, the king's, the city's, his family's. God was not abandoning His promise; He was offering mercy within judgment. The path that looked like defeat was actually the path to survival.
Living This Out
You may not face an invading army, but you know the tension of asking God for truth while resisting what He says. Maybe it is a relationship, a financial decision, or a call to forgive. You know the right step, but the cost feels too high. This week, bring that specific fear to God. Tell Him exactly what scares you about obeying. Notice how Zedekiah swore by God's name but held back. The gap between knowing and doing is trust. You can ask for the courage to 'go out', in whatever small surrender He asks today.
Main takeaway: God's truth sets us free, but only when we trust Him more than we fear what others might do or say.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
King Zedekiah wanted to know what God said, but he was too scared to do it. He asked Jeremiah to meet him in secret because he was afraid of what others would think. God wants us to be brave and listen to Him, even when it seems hard.
For ages 9, 12
Zedekiah kept asking for God's message from Jeremiah, but he would not obey because he feared the other leaders. God gave him a clear choice: surrender and live, or resist and face destruction. It is easy to ask God what to do, but following through takes real courage. The good news is that God does not leave us alone when we obey. He goes with us and gives us strength. You might face a situation where you know the right thing to do but are scared of what others will say. Zedekiah's story reminds us that trusting God is always the wise choice, even when it feels risky.
Questions People Ask
Why did Zedekiah meet Jeremiah secretly?
He was afraid of the officials who opposed surrendering to Babylon (verse 19 shows his fear of Jews who had defected). Meeting in the third entry of the temple allowed them to talk privately. His fear of what others might do kept him from obeying God openly.
What does 'the third entry' mean?
This was likely a private passage between the palace and the temple, perhaps a chamber that required passing through two other entrances. Commentators suggest it was a secluded spot for a confidential conversation, away from the officials who opposed Jeremiah.
Why did Jeremiah say the king would not listen?
Jeremiah had already given God's word to Zedekiah several times, and the king had refused to follow it. The prophet knew Zedekiah's pattern: he would ask for counsel but then ignore it. Jeremiah's question reflects his honest frustration and weariness.
Why did God tell the king to surrender to Babylon?
God was not abandoning His people; He was offering a way of mercy within judgment. Surrender would spare Zedekiah's life, his family, and the city from destruction. The siege was already God's judgment, but even then He provided a path to survival for those who would trust Him.
What was Zedekiah afraid of?
Verse 19 shows he feared the Jews who had already surrendered to the Babylonians. He thought they might mock him or hand him over to his enemies. His fear of humiliation and shame kept him from obeying God's clear command through Jeremiah.
For pastors & researchers
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