Jeremiah 37:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king moves Jeremiah to a better prison location with daily food provisions.
The Context of Jeremiah 37:21
The king improves Jeremiah's imprisonment conditions while keeping him confined.
What Does Jeremiah 37:21 Mean?
Zedekiah's response was a compromise. He commanded that Jeremiah be moved from the harsh dungeon to the court of the prison—a less severe location—and that he receive daily bread from the bakers' street. This arrangement provided Jeremiah with food and better conditions while maintaining his imprisonment. The king could not release the prophet, but he could improve his situation.
The provision of daily bread was significant; it showed the king's ambivalence. He could not accept Jeremiah's message and free him, yet he also could not bear to execute or starve the man he believed spoke for God. Jeremiah remained a prisoner, but a prisoner whose suffering was mitigated by the king's lingering fear of God and conscience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 37:21
What does Jeremiah 37:21 mean?
The king moves Jeremiah to a better prison location with daily food provisions.
What is the context of Jeremiah 37:21?
The king improves Jeremiah's imprisonment conditions while keeping him confined.