Jeremiah 38:22

And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah’s house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.

Jeremiah 38:22 (KJV)

Context

This verse comes during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, when Jeremiah warned King Zedekiah that resistance would bring destruction. The king rejected the prophet’s counsel, and here Jeremiah declares that even the women left in the palace will be brought out to the Babylonian princes and will taunt Zedekiah for trusting deceptive advisors.

Meaning

The women’s words expose the folly of Zedekiah’s reliance on human counsel. His “friends“—those who urged him to resist Babylon—had “set him on” and prevailed, yet now his feet are “sunk in the mire,” a picture of being trapped in ruin. Those who encouraged him turn away, leaving him isolated in his downfall.

Biblical connections

The warning echoes the broader biblical principle that trusting human wisdom over God’s word leads to disaster. Zedekiah’s fate confirms this: he was captured, his sons killed, and he was blinded and taken to Babylon.

Application

This verse calls us to examine whose counsel we follow. Flattering advice that ignores God’s truth may feel reassuring, but it cannot save when judgment comes. True wisdom is found in heeding God’s word, even when it is hard.

Reflection

When our own plans fail and our supporters vanish, we learn the emptiness of relying on anything other than God. His word stands firm, and those who trust it find a foundation that never sinks.