Definition: But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Jeremiah 38:25. It’s a really dramatic and tense moment in the book of Jeremiah. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Situation: Jeremiah is a prophet who's been warned by God to deliver bad news about Judah. He’s being sent to warn King Josiah of a terrible thing that’s coming – a massive, devastating plague. Josiah, the king at the time, is refusing to listen to Jeremiah and is actively trying to get him killed. What's Happening in Verse 25: "But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee..." - This means Jeremiah has confided in a group of wise leaders – the "princes." These are powerful officials, maybe advisors or even some trusted generals. "...and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king..." - They’re asking him to tell them exactly what he said to Josiah. "...hide it not from us; also what the king said unto thee:" – This is the crucial part. Jeremiah is demanding that the princes immediately and completely reveal everything he told Josiah. He's saying, "Don't keep this secret! Tell us everything you’ve said to him!" What’s Being Asked: The princes are being asked to provide a complete account of: A Secret Conversation: They need to tell the princes exactly what Jeremiah told Josiah. The King’s Response: Crucially, they're also being asked to reveal the king’s response to Jeremiah. This is incredibly important because it reveals the king’s willingness to ignore God's warnings and his attempts to avoid punishment. Why is this significant? This passage highlights a major conflict: God’s Warning vs. Human Will: God has given Jeremiah a warning about a terrible future, but Josiah refuses to listen. The Power of Secrets: The princes are being asked to reveal information that could lead to the king's downfall and the widespread destruction of Judah. It shows how powerful and secretive rulers can be. In essence, Verse 25 is a plea from God for honesty and transparency. It’s a moment where the righteous are challenged to speak truth, even when it puts them at risk. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this passage in more detail? Connect this passage to other Bible stories or themes? Give you a summary of the larger context of Jeremiah 38?