Jeremiah 37:11

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

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},

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

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

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

Commentary

Jeremiah 37:11 describes a pivotal moment during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian (Chaldean) army. This verse sets the stage for significant events in Jeremiah's life and the city's fate.

Context of Jeremiah 37:11

At this point in Judah's history, King Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem, and the city was under intense siege by Nebuchadnezzar's powerful Babylonian forces. The prophet Jeremiah had consistently warned the people and their leaders against rebellion towards Babylon, urging them to surrender as it was God's decreed judgment for their disobedience (see Jeremiah 25:9). This verse highlights a temporary respite: the Chaldean army, also known as the Babylonians, "broken up" or withdrew from Jerusalem. This withdrawal was not a defeat but a strategic move, prompted by the approach of Pharaoh Hophra's army from Egypt, who came to aid Judah. This brief period of relief, however, would prove to be a false hope for Jerusalem, as the Babylonians would soon return to complete the siege, leading to the city's fall and Jeremiah's subsequent imprisonment (as seen in Jeremiah 37:15).

Key Themes and Messages

  • False Hope: The temporary lifting of the siege brought a fleeting sense of relief and optimism to Jerusalem, but it was ultimately a deceptive hope. Judah had repeatedly placed its trust in foreign alliances, particularly with Egypt, rather than relying on God's protection and heeding His prophets.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Despite the political and military maneuvers of nations, God's sovereign plan for Judah's judgment through Babylon remained unshakeable. The withdrawal was merely a pause before the inevitable fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse underscores the ongoing consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion against God's commands and their refusal to listen to Jeremiah's warnings. Their reliance on human strength and alliances rather than divine counsel led them deeper into peril.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Chaldeans" (Hebrew: Kaśdîm) refers to the dominant ethnic group within the Babylonian Empire, often used interchangeably with Babylonians. The phrase "broken up" (Hebrew: he'alah) indicates that the army "went up" or "departed," signifying a temporary withdrawal or lifting of the siege, not a permanent defeat or retreat. This nuance is crucial for understanding the context of the subsequent events and the false sense of security it created in Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:11 serves as a timeless reminder about the nature of true hope. It cautions against placing our faith in temporary solutions, human alliances, or fleeting circumstances that may offer short-term relief but ultimately fail to deliver lasting security. True security and hope are found in aligning with God's will and trusting in His ultimate sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire. The verse highlights the importance of discerning between superficial comfort and God's enduring truth, urging us to seek His guidance rather than relying on worldly strategies that often lead to disappointment.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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