Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the LORD our God for us.” New Living Translation Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, son of Maaseiah, to ask Jeremiah, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us.” English Standard Version King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray for us to the LORD our God.” Berean Standard Bible Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” King James Bible And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us. New King James Version And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now to the LORD our God for us.” New American Standard Bible Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and the priest Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to the LORD our God in our behalf.” NASB 1995 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf.” NASB 1977 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf.” Legacy Standard Bible Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Please pray to Yahweh our God on our behalf.” Amplified Bible Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah [along] with Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Please pray [now] to the LORD our God for us.” Christian Standard Bible Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, requesting, “Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Nevertheless, King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, requesting, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” American Standard Version And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto Jehovah our God for us. English Revised Version And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us. GOD'S WORD® Translation King Zedekiah sent Jehucal (son of Shelemiah) and the priest Zephaniah (son of Maaseiah) to the prophet Jeremiah. They asked him, "Please pray to the LORD our God for us." Good News Translation King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to ask me to pray to the LORD our God on behalf of our nation. International Standard Version King Zedekiah sent Shelemiah's son Jehucal and Maaseiah's son Zephaniah the priest to Jeremiah the prophet, asking him, "Please pray to the LORD our God for us." NET Bible King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah. He told them to say, "Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf." New Heart English Bible Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, "Pray now to the LORD our God for us." Webster's Bible Translation And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now to the LORD our God for us. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” World English Bible Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “Pray now to Yahweh our God for us.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Zedekiah the king sends Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “Pray, we implore you, for us to our God YHWH.” Young's Literal Translation And Zedekiah the king sendeth Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, unto Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'Pray, we beseech thee, for us unto Jehovah our God.' Smith's Literal Translation And king Zedekiah will send Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Pray now for us to Jehovah our God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd king Sedecias sent Juchal the son of Selemias, and Sophonias the son of Maasias the priest to Jeremias the prophet, saying: Pray to the Lord our God for us. Catholic Public Domain Version And king Zedekiah sent Jehucal, the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah, the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “Pray to the Lord our God for us.” New American Bible Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal, son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet with this request: “Please appeal to the LORD, our God, for us.” New Revised Standard Version King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to the prophet Jeremiah saying, “Please pray for us to the LORD our God.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maasiah the priest to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Pray now for us before the LORD your God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And King Tsedeqia sent Yukal, son of Shelamiah, and Tsephenia, son of Massia the Priest, to Jeremiah the Prophet, saying: ‘Pray for us before LORD JEHOVAH your God!’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, to the prophet Jeremiah, saying: 'Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And king Sedekias sent Joachal son of Selemias and Sophonias the priest son of Maasaeas to Jeremias, saying, Pray now for us to the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Warns Zedekiah…2But he and his officers and the people of the land refused to obey the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet. 3Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” 4Now Jeremiah was free to come and go among the people, for they had not yet put him in prison.… Cross References Jeremiah 21:1-2 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” Jeremiah 42:2-4 Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.” / “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will surely pray to the LORD your God as you request, and I will tell you everything that the LORD answers. I will not withhold a word from you.” 2 Kings 22:13 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.” 2 Kings 25:18-21 The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. / Of those still in the city, he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war, as well as five royal advisors. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army, who had enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men who were found in the city. / Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. ... 1 Samuel 28:6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. 2 Chronicles 34:20-21 and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king: / “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.” Ezekiel 14:3 “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way? Ezekiel 20:1-3 In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down before me. / Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD. Isaiah 37:2-4 And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz / to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. / Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.” Isaiah 30:1-2 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. James 1:5-6 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. / But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. Acts 8:24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him. Treasury of Scripture And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now to the LORD our God for us. Zephaniah. Jeremiah 21:1,2 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, … Jeremiah 29:21,25 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes; … Jeremiah 52:24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: Pray. Jeremiah 2:27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. Jeremiah 21:1,2 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, … Jeremiah 42:2-4,20 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) … Jump to Previous Behalf Beseech Jehucal Jeremiah Maaseiah Ma-Asei'ah Message Please Prayer Priest Prophet Shelemiah Shelemi'ah Zedekiah Zedeki'ah Zephaniah Zephani'ahJump to Next Behalf Beseech Jehucal Jeremiah Maaseiah Ma-Asei'ah Message Please Prayer Priest Prophet Shelemiah Shelemi'ah Zedekiah Zedeki'ah Zephaniah Zephani'ahJeremiah 37 1. The Egyptians having raised the siege of the Chaldeans, 3. king Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah to pray for the people. 6. Jeremiah prophesies the Chaldeans' certain return and victory. 11. He is taken for a fugitive, beaten, and put in prison. 16. He assures Zedekiah of the captivity. 18. Entreating for his liberty, he obtains some favor. Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. His reign was marked by political instability and pressure from Babylon. Despite his position, Zedekiah often vacillated between seeking God's guidance and relying on political alliances. Jehucal, also known as Jucal, was a royal official, and Zephaniah was a priest, indicating that Zedekiah sought counsel from both political and religious leaders. This reflects the common practice of seeking prophetic insight during times of crisis. Jeremiah, known for his prophecies of judgment, was often consulted by the kings of Judah, though his messages were not always heeded. The sending of these emissaries suggests a recognition of Jeremiah's authority as a prophet, despite previous tensions. “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” Persons / Places / Events 1. King ZedekiahThe last king of Judah, who reigned during the time of the Babylonian siege. He was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar but often wavered in his allegiance to Babylon and his faithfulness to God. 2. Jehucal son of Shelemiah A royal official sent by King Zedekiah to request Jeremiah's intercession. His role indicates the king's desperation and need for divine intervention. 3. Zephaniah son of Maaseiah A priest who accompanied Jehucal to Jeremiah. His involvement highlights the religious aspect of the request, seeking God's favor through the prophet. 4. Jeremiah the Prophet A major prophet in Judah, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance. He was often persecuted for his prophecies, which were unpopular with the leadership. 5. The LORD our God The covenant name of God, Yahweh, indicating a personal and communal relationship with the people of Israel, whom they are seeking in their time of distress. Teaching Points The Importance of Seeking God in CrisisZedekiah's request for prayer underscores the human tendency to turn to God in times of trouble. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with God, not just in crises. The Role of Prophetic Intercession Jeremiah's role as an intercessor highlights the power and responsibility of prayer. Believers are called to pray for others, standing in the gap as Jeremiah did. The Consequences of Ignoring God's Warnings Zedekiah's repeated failure to heed Jeremiah's warnings serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring God's guidance and the consequences that follow. The Faithfulness of God Despite Human Unfaithfulness Despite Zedekiah's unfaithfulness, God remains willing to listen and respond. This reflects God's enduring mercy and faithfulness to His people. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 37In Jeremiah 37:2, how can we reconcile the claim that King Zedekiah and his officials refused to listen to God’s word with other passages suggesting they occasionally sought Jeremiah’s counsel? Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? In Jeremiah 37:2, how can we reconcile the claim that King Zedekiah and his officials refused to listen to God’s word with other passages suggesting they occasionally sought Jeremiah’s counsel? Jeremiah 34:3 - How could God promise Zedekiah would not die by the sword if 2 Kings 25:7 says Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and took him captive?(3) And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal . . .--The time and, probably, occasion of the mission is given in Jeremiah 37:5. The Chaldaeans had raised the siege of Jerusalem on hearing of the approach of the Egyptian army under Pharaoh-Hophra, the Apries of Herodotus (Herod. ii. 161-169. Ezekiel 17:15, Ezekiel 29:1-16, Ezekiel 30-32.), and the king seems to have thought that an opportunity presented itself for asserting his independence, and wished to gain the sanction and the prayers of the prophet for this policy. Of the two officers who are here named, Jehucal appears as accusing the prophets in Jeremiah 38:1, Zephaniah in Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 29:25. They clearly belonged to the anti-Chaldaean party, and were therefore, for the most part, openly hostile to the prophet. Their application to him was either simply an official act in obedience to the king's commands, or sprang from the hope, as before in Jeremiah 21:1, that they might, by a show of religious zeal for Jehovah, win him over to their cause. The stress which they lay on his praying to "the Lord our God" indicates the latter alternative as probable. . . . Verse 3. - And Zedekiah the king sent. This was Zedekiah's second embassy to Jeremiah. His request on the former occasion bad been for a prophecy; on the present it was for an "effectual fervent prayer," such as Hezekiah's embassy asked of Isaiah (Isaiah 37:6). But the issue was to be very different from that in the case of Sennacherib's invasion! Jehucal. The same man appears in Jeremiah 38. l, among those who brought about the imprisonment of Jeremiah. Zephaniah. The high priest's deputy, mentioned again in Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 52:24. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Yet Kingהַמֶּ֨לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ (ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites sent וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ (way·yiš·laḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out Jehucal יְהוּכַ֣ל (yə·hū·ḵal) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3081: Jehucal -- 'the LORD is able', a courtier of King Zedekiah son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Shelemiah שֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֗ה (še·lem·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8018: Shelemiah -- 'friend of Yah', the name of several Israelites and Zephaniah צְפַנְיָ֤הוּ (ṣə·p̄an·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6846: Zephaniah -- 'Yah has treasured', four Israelites the priest, הַכֹּהֵ֔ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest the son בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of Maaseiah, מַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙ (ma·‘ă·śê·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4641: Maaseiah -- 'work of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֥הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites the prophet הַנָּבִ֖יא (han·nā·ḇî) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet with the message, לֵאמֹ֑ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Please נָ֣א (nā) Interjection Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then' pray הִתְפַּלֶּל־ (hiṯ·pal·lel-) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray for us בַעֲדֵ֔נוּ (ḇa·‘ă·ḏê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel our God!” אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Jeremiah 37:3 NIVJeremiah 37:3 NLT Jeremiah 37:3 ESV Jeremiah 37:3 NASB Jeremiah 37:3 KJV Jeremiah 37:3 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 37:3 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 37:3 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 37:3 French Bible Jeremiah 37:3 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 37:3 Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son (Jer.) |
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