Jeremiah 38:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The princes throw Jeremiah into a miry dungeon, leaving him to die of starvation and exposure.
The Context of Jeremiah 38:6
Jeremiah's imprisonment appears to be his death sentence.
What Does Jeremiah 38:6 Mean?
The dungeon is not a cell but a cistern or pit in the prison courtyard, belonging to Malchiah—one of the same officials who moments before accused Jeremiah. The dungeon contains mud and filth instead of water. Jeremiah sinks into the mire, a physical expression of his degradation.
By throwing him there rather than executing him outright, the princes avoid direct bloodshed while ensuring slow death. This is calculated cruelty: abandonment in darkness and slime, awaiting starvation. Yet the vivid detail of his sinking foreshadows his rescue—from the mud he will be pulled up.
Jeremiah 38:6 in the Original Language
tiyt (טִיט), 'mire'—the thick mud or slime of the cistern, suggesting filth and degradation; Jeremiah is literally sunk in moral corruption's visual symbol.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 38:6
What does Jeremiah 38:6 mean?
The princes throw Jeremiah into a miry dungeon, leaving him to die of starvation and exposure.
What is the context of Jeremiah 38:6?
Jeremiah's imprisonment appears to be his death sentence.