Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Jeremiah 37:21. It's a really dramatic and unsettling story about a king’s desperate measures. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jeremiah was a prophet who warned the King of Zedekiah that he was going to be severely punished for his actions. The King, refusing to listen, ordered Jeremiah to be imprisoned – essentially locked up and kept under constant watch. And then, the King decided to make things really difficult for him. He instructed the bakers in the city to give Jeremiah every single loaf of bread they produced, day after day, until there was nothing left. Let’s unpack it: “Zedekiah the king commanded…” : This tells us this is a serious situation involving a king and his authority. “…that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison…” : This means the King essentially sentenced Jeremiah to be held captive in a jail or prison. "...and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street…” : This is the core of the problem. The King demanded that Jeremiah receive every loaf of bread from the bakers. The “bakers’ street” refers to a specific area where the bakers were located – it was a place of significant activity and potential for conflict. "...until all the bread in the city were spent.” : This is the crucial part. The King wanted to starve Jeremiah! He ordered the bakers to continue providing bread until there was nothing left . It's a desperate attempt to break his spirit and force him to do what he didn’t want to do. The Significance & What it Means: This passage is incredibly significant because it highlights: Absolute Power: It shows how even a king can be ruthless when they feel threatened or unwilling to listen to advice. Divine Justice (or perhaps, a twisted form of justice): Jeremiah was warned about the consequences of Zedekiah’s actions. This story suggests that God is actively intervening and punishing those who defy His will. It's not just about punishment; it's about a divine force bringing about a painful outcome. The Importance of Obedience: The story also emphasizes the importance of following God’s commands, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. It warns against rebellion and defiance. In short, this verse describes a king using extreme measures to punish a prophet who refused to comply with his orders. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Provide context about the time period when this passage was written? Discuss the possible interpretations of the story?