Jeremiah 37:10

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained [but] wounded men among them, [yet] should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

For though ye had smitten {H5221} the whole army {H2428} of the Chaldeans {H3778} that fight {H3898} against you, and there remained {H7604} but wounded {H1856} men {H582} among them, yet should they rise up {H6965} every man {H376} in his tent {H168}, and burn {H8313} this city {H5892} with fire {H784}.

Even if you were to strike the entire army of the Kasdim fighting against you, to the degree that only their wounded were left, they would still rise up every man from his tent and burn this city to the ground.'"

Indeed, if you were to strike down the entire army of the Chaldeans that is fighting against you, and only wounded men remained in their tents, they would still get up and burn this city down.”

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet would they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.

This verse is a stark prophecy delivered by Jeremiah during a critical moment in the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army.

Context

Jeremiah 37 takes place during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar (often referred to as the Chaldeans), was besieging Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 34:1). However, news arrived that an Egyptian army was marching to assist Judah, causing the Babylonians to temporarily withdraw from the siege (Jeremiah 37:5). This withdrawal brought a false sense of relief and hope to the people and leaders of Jerusalem. Jeremiah, however, prophesies that this respite is temporary and the judgment is inevitable.

Key Themes

  • The Certainty of God's Judgment: Despite the temporary lifting of the siege, Jeremiah declares that the judgment against Jerusalem is sealed and unavoidable.
  • The Futility of Human Resistance Against God's Decree: The verse emphasizes that even if the Babylonian army were severely weakened, God's purpose for Jerusalem's destruction would still be fulfilled.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The outcome is not dependent on the strength or weakness of the opposing army, but on God's predetermined plan.
  • False Security: The people were likely taking comfort in the Babylonian withdrawal, but Jeremiah shatters this false hope.

Linguistic Note

The term "Chaldeans" (כַּשְׂדִים - Kasdim) is consistently used in Jeremiah to refer to the Babylonians. The phrase "smitten the whole army" (הִכִּיתֶם אֶת כׇּל חֵיל) implies a total or near-total defeat. Yet, even reduced to mere "wounded men" (מִתְבּוֹלְלִים - mitbolelim, possibly meaning 'languishing' or 'wounded'), their rise and success are presented as certain because it is God's will.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy directly counters the optimism felt by the people upon the Babylonian withdrawal mentioned just verses earlier (Jeremiah 37:5). It echoes the consistent message of judgment Jeremiah had been delivering for years (see Jeremiah 1:10). The fulfillment of this prophecy, the burning of Jerusalem, is recorded later in Jeremiah 39:8 and 2 Kings 25:9.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 37:10 serves as a powerful reminder that when God's judgment is determined, no human effort or circumstance can ultimately thwart it. It warns against placing hope in temporary reprieves or human strength when facing the consequences of disobedience. For believers today, it underscores the absolute certainty of God's word, whether it is a word of judgment against sin or a word of promise regarding salvation and future hope (see 2 Peter 3:9). True security is found only in aligning ourselves with God's will, not in the changing tides of human events or strength.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 2:11

    And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

  • Jeremiah 50:45

    Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make [their] habitation desolate with them.

  • Isaiah 30:17

    One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

  • Leviticus 26:36

    And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

  • Leviticus 26:38

    And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.

  • Jeremiah 49:20

    Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitations desolate with them.

  • Jeremiah 37:8

    And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back