Jeremiah 37ESV
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Jeremiah37

English Standard Version

1 the of , of made in the of , of the of .

2But neither he nor his nor the of the to the of the Lord he the .

3 the of , and the , the of , to the , , for us to the Lord our .

4Now was still going and the , for he had yet been in .

5The of had come . And when the who were about them, they .

6Then the of the Lord to the :

7 the Lord, of : shall you to the of who you to me to of me, , that to you is about to to , to its own .

8And the shall come and . They shall it and it with .

9 the Lord, Do , , The will us, they will .

10 even you should the of who are against you, and there of them , every in his , they would rise and with .

11Now when the had at the of ,

12 set to to the of to receive his the .

13When he was at the , a the of , of , the , , You are to the .

14And , It is a ; I am the . But would to him, and and him to the .

15And the were , and they him and him in the of the , it had been .

16When had to the and ,

17 for him and him. The him in his and , Is any the Lord? , There . Then he , You shall be into the of the of .

18 also to , wrong have I to you or your or , you have me in ?

19 are your to you, , The of will you and ?

20 , , O my the : my you and do send me to the of the , I .

21So , and they to the of the . And a of was him the , the the was . So in the of the .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 37.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The Chaldean army will return. (1-10). Jeremiah is imprisoned. (11-21).

vv1-10

Numbers witness the fatal effects of other men's sins, yet heedlessly step into their places, and follow the same destructive course. When in distress, we ought to desire the prayers of ministers and Christian friends. And it is common for those to desire to be prayed for, who will not be advised; yet sinners are often hardened by a pause in judgments. But if God help us not, no creature can. Whatever instruments God has determined to use, they shall do the work, though they seem unlikely.

vv11-21

There are times when it is the wisdom of good men to retire, to enter into their chambers, and to shut the doors, 20. Jeremiah was seized as a deserter, and committed to prison. But it is no new thing for the best friends of the church to be belied, as in the interests of her worst enemies. When thus falsely accused, we may deny the charge, and commit our cause to Him who judges righteously. Jeremiah obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful, and would not, to obtain mercy of man, be unfaithful to God or to his prince; he tells the king the whole truth. When Jeremiah delivered God's message, he spake with boldness; but when he made his own request, he spake submissively. A lion in God's cause must be a lamb in his own. And God gave Jeremiah favour in the eyes of the king. The Lord God can make even the cells of a prison become pastures to his people, and will raise up friends to provide for them, so that in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Cross References

Jeremiah 37
v12 Kings 24:17thematic

Records Nebuchadnezzar changing Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah and making him king in Judah.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v5Ezekiel 17:15thematic

Exposes Zedekiah's rebellion and covenant-breaking in sending ambassadors to Egypt for military aid.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v7Ezekiel 17:17thematic

Prophesies that Pharaoh's army would fail to help Zedekiah in the war against Babylon.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

Parallels the description of Zedekiah's rebellion and refusal to humble himself before Jeremiah.

Supported by JFB

v3Jeremiah 21:1thematic

Chronologically close parallel embassy from Zedekiah to Jeremiah via Zephaniah seeking inquiry.

Supported by JFB

v52 Kings 24:7thematic

Historical confirmation that the king of Egypt did not come out of his land again.

Supported by JFB

v8Jeremiah 34:22thematic

Parallels the warning that God would command the Chaldeans to return and burn Jerusalem.

Supported by JFB

A parallel secret meeting where Zedekiah consults Jeremiah privately about God's word.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v13Jeremiah 38:4thematic

The princes accuse Jeremiah of weakening the men of war, giving color to treason charges.

Supported by JFB

v20Jeremiah 38:26thematic

Jeremiah recalls presenting his supplication before the king not to return to Jonathan's house.

Supported by JFB

v21Jeremiah 38:13thematic

Jeremiah remains confined in the court of the prison where Zedekiah committed him.

Supported by JFB

v21Jeremiah 32:2thematic

Establishes that the court of the prison was located in the king of Judah's house.

Supported by JFB

v3Jeremiah 21:2thematic

A highly similar parallel text where Zedekiah sends to inquire during the Chaldean siege.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v17Jeremiah 6:14contrast

Contrasts Jeremiah's uncompromising truth with false prophets who healed wounds slightly saying 'Peace'.

Supported by JFB

v20Jeremiah 36:7thematic

Illuminates the formal expression of humbly presenting a supplication or prayer before God.

Supported by JFB