Jeremiah 37:11

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that when the army {H2428} of the Chaldeans {H3778} was broken up {H5927} from Jerusalem {H3389} for fear {H6440} of Pharaoh's {H6547} army {H2428},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, at the time when the army of the Kasdim had lifted the siege of Yerushalayim out of fear of Pharaoh's army,

Berean Standard Bible

When the Chaldean army withdrew from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,

American Standard Version

And it came to pass that, when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh’s army,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 37:11 records a pivotal, though ultimately fleeting, moment during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem: the temporary withdrawal of the Chaldean army. This strategic retreat was prompted by the advance of Pharaoh Hophra's Egyptian forces, offering a brief and deceptive respite to the besieged city. Far from signaling deliverance, this interlude merely set the stage for Jeremiah's personal trials, further prophetic pronouncements confirming inevitable judgment, and the eventual, devastating fall of Jerusalem, underscoring the futility of human alliances against God's determined will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 37 is situated within a significant portion of the book (chapters 37-45) that intimately details Jeremiah's personal experiences and sufferings during the final, tumultuous years of Judah's kingdom, culminating in and immediately following the destruction of Jerusalem. Prior chapters have consistently articulated God's unwavering judgment against Judah for its persistent apostasy, idolatry, and misguided reliance on foreign alliances rather than on Him, often identifying Babylon as the divinely appointed instrument of this judgment, as seen in [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar, God's Servant"). Specifically, chapter 37 opens with King Zedekiah's continued spiritual defiance, characterized by his superficial and desperate appeals to Jeremiah for prayer, rather than genuine repentance ([Jeremiah 37:1-3](/jeremiah/37-1-3 "Jeremiah 37:1-3 - Zedekiah Seeks Jeremiah's Prayer")). The verse immediately preceding Jeremiah 37:11 is crucial, as it records Jeremiah's explicit prophecy that the Chaldeans would indeed return and burn Jerusalem ([Jeremiah 37:10](/jeremiah/37-10 "Jeremiah 37:10 - The Chaldeans Will Return")), directly contradicting any false hope that might arise from their temporary departure. This prophetic declaration imbues the brief withdrawal described in our verse with a profound sense of irony and tragic inevitability.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 37:11 is the tumultuous reign of King Zedekiah (597-586 BC), the last king to sit on the throne of Judah. Judah was a precarious vassal state, caught in the geopolitical vise between the ascendant Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar and the declining, yet still formidable, power of Egypt. Jerusalem was enduring its final, devastating siege by Babylon, a direct consequence of decades of Judah's political rebellion and spiritual unfaithfulness. Culturally, there was a deeply ingrained tendency among Judah's leadership and populace to seek military alliances with Egypt, viewing Pharaoh as a powerful protector against Mesopotamian threats. This reliance persisted despite God's repeated and stern warnings delivered through prophets like Jeremiah, who consistently condemned such alliances as a betrayal of trust in the Lord ([Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - Warning Against Fleeing to Egypt")). The arrival of Pharaoh Hophra's army from Egypt was a typical geopolitical maneuver, intended to relieve pressure on Judah and perhaps reassert Egyptian influence in the region. However, as the narrative unfolds, it proved to be an ultimately insufficient and fleeting intervention, unable to alter God's predetermined judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 37:11 significantly contributes to several overarching and critical themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **False Hope**. The temporary lifting of the siege, though seemingly a reprieve, offered a deceptive sense of relief and deliverance to Jerusalem, which had consistently placed its trust in human alliances and military might rather than in divine counsel and repentance ([Jeremiah 2:36-37](/jeremiah/2-36-37 "Jeremiah 2:36-37 - Judah's Shameful Alliance with Egypt")). This episode demonstrates the futility of relying on external, worldly solutions when divine judgment is at hand. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty** over nations and historical events. Despite the intricate political and military maneuvers of powerful empires like Egypt and Babylon, God's predetermined plan for Judah's judgment remained unshakeable. The Chaldean withdrawal was not a disruption of God's will but merely a strategic pause within His overarching, sovereign plan, leading inevitably to the fulfillment of prophecy ([Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")). Finally, the verse highlights the dire **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience**. Judah's stubborn refusal to heed Jeremiah's warnings and their continued rebellion against God's explicit commands led them deeper into peril, demonstrating that even temporary reprieves do not negate the ultimate, severe outcome of unrepentant sin and rebellion against the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **army (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This Hebrew word (H2428), translated as "army," possesses a rich and broad semantic range, encompassing concepts such as force, wealth, virtue, valor, and strength. In the specific military context of Jeremiah 37:11, it denotes a formidable military force or host. The repetition of "army" when referring to both the Chaldeans and Pharaoh's forces emphasizes the significant military might and the clash of powerful entities involved in this critical geopolitical struggle.
* **broken up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** The Hebrew verb (H5927), a primitive root, fundamentally means "to ascend," "to go up," or "to depart." In the context of a military siege, its use here signifies a withdrawal or the lifting of the siege, rather than a decisive defeat or rout. This specific nuance indicates a temporary movement away from Jerusalem, a strategic repositioning, not a permanent retreat or a victory for the besieged city. Understanding this distinction is crucial for grasping the false sense of security it generated among Jerusalem's inhabitants.
* **fear (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** While translated as "fear" (H6440), the Hebrew word _pânîym_ primarily means "face" or "presence." When used in conjunction with a preposition, as it is here ("for fear of Pharaoh's army"), it conveys the sense of "because of the presence of" or "in the face of" Pharaoh's army. This implies that the Chaldeans withdrew not out of terror or panicked flight, but as a calculated, strategic response to the *approach* or *presence* of a formidable opposing force, indicating a tactical repositioning to confront the new threat rather than an abandonment of their ultimate objective regarding Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans":** This introductory clause sets the narrative scene, identifying the primary actors: the Chaldean (Babylonian) army, which had been actively engaged in besieging the city of Jerusalem. The phrase "it came to pass" is a common biblical literary device, serving as a transitional marker to introduce a significant event or development in the unfolding narrative.
* **"was broken up from Jerusalem":** This is the central action described in the verse. The Chaldean army, previously entrenched in their siege positions around the city, temporarily departed. As indicated by the Hebrew term _ʻâlâh_, this was a strategic "going up" or "departing" from their immediate vicinity, signifying a lifting of the siege rather than a complete and permanent retreat or a defeat at the hands of Jerusalem's defenders.
* **"for fear of Pharaoh's army":** This concluding clause provides the explicit motivation for the Chaldean withdrawal. Their departure was a direct and strategic consequence of the approach and presence of the Egyptian military force, led by Pharaoh Hophra. It was a tactical decision to either confront this new, formidable threat directly or to avoid the complications of a potential two-front war, clearly indicating a calculated military maneuver rather than an act of surrender or a definitive abandonment of their siege objectives concerning Jerusalem.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 37:11 is rich with several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact within the broader narrative. **Irony** is profoundly present, as the temporary lifting of the siege, which might have been perceived by Jerusalem's inhabitants as a miraculous sign of hope or divine intervention, is explicitly revealed by Jeremiah's prior prophecy (37:10) to be a false and fleeting hope, merely a pause before inevitable destruction. This creates a powerful sense of tragic **Foreshadowing**, as the informed reader understands that the Chaldeans will indeed return to fulfill God's judgment, making the brief respite even more poignant and ultimately futile. The repeated mention of "Pharaoh's army" introduces significant **Symbolism**; throughout the book of Jeremiah and much of the Old Testament, Egypt consistently represents a source of unreliable human reliance, a false savior that repeatedly diverts Judah from placing its trust in God alone. Finally, the entire scene functions as a dramatic **Narrative Turning Point**, shifting the immediate focus from the external siege itself to Jeremiah's subsequent actions, his unjust arrest, and his imprisonment, thereby highlighting the profound personal cost of prophetic obedience amidst pervasive national delusion and misplaced hope.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 37:11 profoundly underscores a critical theological truth concerning the deceptive nature of false hope and the unwavering, sovereign control of God over all historical events. The momentary relief experienced by Jerusalem, brought about by human military intervention, was a fleeting illusion, not a genuine or lasting deliverance. It served to highlight Judah's persistent and tragic pattern of trusting in worldly alliances and human strength rather than repenting and relying wholeheartedly on the Lord. This episode powerfully demonstrates that God's judgments, once decreed and set in motion, are not easily averted or circumvented by human machinations or geopolitical shifts; even a powerful army's withdrawal is merely a strategic pause within His overarching, predetermined plan. The true security and lasting hope for God's people never reside in the ebb and flow of political tides or the might of military forces, but solely in His faithfulness, His unchanging character, and their obedient reliance upon His divine word.

* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 37:11 offers a profound and timeless lesson for believers today regarding the nature of true security and the inherent dangers of misplaced hope. In our contemporary lives, we frequently encounter our own "sieges"—periods of intense pressure, difficulty, uncertainty, or spiritual struggle. Like ancient Judah, we can be powerfully tempted to seek immediate relief in temporary solutions, human connections, or worldly strategies that appear to offer a quick way out. This verse serves as a stark reminder that such "breaks in the siege," while seemingly beneficial or desirable in the short term, can be deeply deceptive if they distract us from the ultimate and only true source of our hope and deliverance: God Himself. It challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, enabling us to distinguish between superficial comfort and God's enduring truth, urging us to seek His guidance and trust implicitly in His sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem dire, when the path He calls us to is unpopular, or when it demands uncomfortable obedience. True peace, lasting security, and genuine freedom are found not in the absence of external pressure, but in an unwavering alignment with God's will and a deep, abiding reliance on His unchanging character and unfailing promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I tempted to place my hope in temporary "breaks in the siege" (e.g., quick fixes, human solutions) rather than in God's ultimate and perfect plan?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to distinguish between a genuine divine reprieve and a deceptive, fleeting relief that might distract me from God's truth and purpose?**
* **What "Pharaoh's armies" (i.e., human alliances, worldly resources, or self-reliance) do I tend to lean on instead of fully trusting in the Lord during times of crisis or prolonged difficulty?**

### FAQ

**Why did the Chaldean army withdraw from Jerusalem?**

Answer: The Chaldean (Babylonian) army withdrew from Jerusalem not because they were defeated or had given up on their objective, but as a strategic military maneuver. They departed "for fear of Pharaoh's army," which means they moved to confront or respond to the approaching Egyptian military force led by Pharaoh Hophra. This was a tactical decision to avoid a potential two-front conflict or to engage the Egyptian threat directly, rather than a sign of abandoning their siege of Jerusalem permanently.

**Was the withdrawal of the Chaldean army a sign of hope for Jerusalem?**

Answer: From a purely human or political perspective, it might have appeared to be a significant sign of hope, a temporary deliverance from the devastating siege. However, from God's divine perspective and through the prophet Jeremiah's clear warnings, it was unequivocally a false hope. Jeremiah had already prophesied that the Babylonians would inevitably return and burn the city ([Jeremiah 37:10](/jeremiah/37-10 "Jeremiah 37:10 - The Chaldeans Will Return")). This brief respite merely highlighted Judah's misguided reliance on foreign alliances (like Egypt) instead of repentance and trust in God, ultimately leading to greater disappointment and a more profound sense of despair when the Babylonians inevitably returned to complete their judgment.

**What happened after the Chaldean army withdrew?**

Answer: The withdrawal was indeed short-lived, as Jeremiah had prophesied. This brief interlude allowed Jeremiah to attempt to leave Jerusalem, perhaps to attend to personal matters in Benjamin. However, he was arrested on suspicion of defecting to the Babylonians and subsequently imprisoned, enduring significant hardship ([Jeremiah 37:12-15](/jeremiah/37-12-15 "Jeremiah 37:12-15 - Jeremiah's Arrest and Imprisonment")). The Chaldean army eventually returned to Jerusalem with renewed force, resuming the siege. This second phase of the siege led to the eventual fall of Jerusalem, the catastrophic destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the remaining population, thereby fulfilling God's severe judgment against Judah for its persistent rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 37:11, with its poignant narrative of false hope and temporary reprieve, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate and true deliverance offered solely by Jesus Christ. Ancient Judah desperately sought salvation from the overwhelming Chaldean siege through the intervention of Pharaoh's army, a human and ultimately futile alliance that could only provide a fleeting pause before inevitable destruction. This historical episode powerfully mirrors humanity's persistent and tragic tendency to seek salvation, security, and liberation in worldly powers, fleeting circumstances, or self-effort. All such human endeavors, much like Pharaoh's army, prove to be temporary "breaks" that cannot deliver from the ultimate "siege" of sin, death, and God's righteous judgment. Christ, however, is the true and everlasting "Pharaoh's army"—not a human military force, but the divine Lamb of God who truly and definitively takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). While Judah's temporary relief led only to deeper despair and eventual destruction, Christ's decisive victory on the cross provides a permanent and eternal liberation for all who believe, delivering them from the wages of sin, which is death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death, the Gift of God is Eternal Life")). He is the one who truly "breaks up" the power of sin and death, not temporarily, but definitively and eternally, offering not a false hope but the living hope of resurrection and eternal life ([1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope Through Resurrection")). In Christ, the siege of judgment is not merely lifted for a moment, but conquered forever, leading to true peace, reconciliation with God, and an everlasting kingdom ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 37:5

Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.