John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 38:24

"Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die." — Jeremiah 38:24 (ASV)

Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah: Not a word signifying his approbation of the counsel given him, or that he intended to take it; his silence showed the reverse: let no man know of these words: that had passed between them; of the conference and conversation they had had together, at least not the particulars of it; the thing itself was known, as appears by what follows, that the king and prophet had been discoursing together; but what they talked of, he desires might be concealed, pretending the prophet's good, though it was his own honour and safety he sought.

and you shall not die: as he had promised he should not, and had sworn to it; but suggests by this, that if he disclosed the conversation, he should look upon himself free from his word and oath; so that this carried something menacing in it.

or it may be rendered "that you die not" ^F3; intimating, that if the princes should come to the knowledge of what he had said, of the advice he had given, they would surely put him to death; and therefore, for his own safety, he desires the whole may be kept a secret.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F3: (twmt alw) "ne moriaris", Gataker, Schmidt; "ut non moriaris", Piscator.