This verse is part of a larger narrative in Jeremiah 37 about the prophet Jeremiah's interactions with the officials of Jerusalem during the siege of the city by the Babylonian (Chaldean) army. Let's break down the meaning:

Context: Jerusalem is under siege. The Babylonians are a significant threat. People are nervous and suspicious of anyone who might be seen as collaborating with the enemy.

"Then Jeremiah said, “That is false! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans.”" Jeremiah is being accused of treason - of trying to leave the city to join the Babylonian side. This would be considered a betrayal of his people and his God. He strongly denies this accusation. It's crucial to understand that Jeremiah's message was often unwelcome because he was prophesying Jerusalem's fall as God's judgment against the people's sins. Some may have misinterpreted his prophecies as encouragement for the Chaldeans.

"But he didn’t listen to him" This highlights the deep suspicion and mistrust that prevailed. Irijah, the officer mentioned, was not willing to believe Jeremiah's denial. In times of crisis, it's easy for fear and suspicion to override reason.

"so Irijah siezed Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes." Irijah, despite Jeremiah's protestations, arrests (or detains) Jeremiah and takes him to the higher-ranking officials ("the princes") for further investigation and judgment. This action demonstrates Irijah's authority and his conviction that Jeremiah posed a threat.

In essence, the verse portrays a moment of heightened tension and misunderstanding during a time of crisis. Jeremiah, a prophet whose message was already controversial, is falsely accused of treason and is arrested, leading to further persecution.

Here are a few additional points to consider:

Jeremiah's Prophecies: It's important to remember that Jeremiah was prophesying the downfall of Jerusalem. This message was unpopular with the ruling class, who likely saw him as a threat to their power and stability.
Misinterpretation: Jeremiah's messages about surrender may have been misinterpreted. He wasn't advocating for defection; he was saying it was God's will that Jerusalem be punished.
The Princes' Role: The fact that Irijah takes Jeremiah to the princes suggests that the accusations were serious and required the attention of the higher authorities.
The rest of the story: The princes imprisoned Jeremiah showing the lack of acceptance to the words God had told him to proclaim.

The verse is a crucial part of understanding Jeremiah's suffering and the challenges he faced in delivering God's message to a rebellious people.