ירמיהו, פרק ל״ח, פסוק ט״ז

In a moment of deep tension and secrecy, King Zedekiah makes a solemn promise to protect Jeremiah's life. The prophet fears a death sentence, and in response, the king offers a double oath designed to calm him and guarantee his absolute safety.

When swearing by God, the king specifically refers to Him as the Creator of the soul. This choice of words is not random; it serves as a direct answer to Jeremiah's earlier fear that the king might have him killed [רד״ק]. The primary approach among commentators is that the king is referring to human life in general, meaning the soul and life placed within every physical body. Others, however, suggest a more specific meaning, noting that the oath refers to the speaking soul, highlighting the unique soul that holds the power of speech and prophecy [רד״ק].

To ensure complete peace of mind, the king divides his promise into two complementary parts that cover any possible harm. First, he promises that he will not execute the prophet himself. Second, he guarantees that he will not hand him over to the men who are actively seeking his death [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, the king commits to doing everything in his power to shield the prophet from any danger [ביאור שטיינזלץ].