Jeremiah 37:9

KJV

Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Deceive {H5377} not yourselves {H5315}, saying {H559}, The Chaldeans {H3778} shall surely {H1980} depart {H3212} from us: for they shall not depart {H3212}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: 'Don't deceive yourselves by thinking that the Kasdim must withdraw from you, because they will not withdraw.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves by saying, ‘The Chaldeans will go away for good,’ for they will not!

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 37:9 delivers a profound and unyielding divine warning against the self-deception prevalent among the people of Judah during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Despite a temporary withdrawal of the Chaldean forces, the LORD unequivocally declares that this respite is fleeting and that their false hope of permanent deliverance is a dangerous delusion. The verse underscores the certainty of God's judgment and the futility of human attempts to evade His decreed will through wishful thinking.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 37 is situated within a critical phase of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army. The preceding chapters detail Jeremiah's consistent prophecies of judgment and the city's inevitable fall due to Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. Specifically, [Jeremiah 34](/jeremiah/34 "Jeremiah 34 - Zedekiah's Covenant and Judah's Disobedience") records King Zedekiah's covenant with the people to free their Hebrew slaves, a covenant quickly broken. This chapter marks a moment of fleeting hope: news arrives that Pharaoh Hophra's Egyptian army is approaching, causing the Babylonians to temporarily lift the siege. This brief reprieve fuels a dangerous optimism among the people and their leaders, who interpret it as a sign of permanent deliverance, directly contradicting Jeremiah's long-standing message. Jeremiah 37:9 directly addresses this misguided hope, serving as a stark divine correction to their self-delusion, setting the stage for the renewed and ultimately successful Babylonian assault.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the twilight of the Kingdom of Judah, caught between the two great powers of the ancient Near East: the ascendant Neo-Babylonian Empire and the declining Egyptian Empire. Jerusalem had already endured one deportation of its elite in 597 BC (2 Kings 24), and Zedekiah was a puppet king installed by Nebuchadnezzar. The people of Judah, and particularly their leaders, often looked to Egypt for military aid, a strategy consistently condemned by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah as a betrayal of trust in the LORD. The temporary withdrawal of the Chaldeans due to the Egyptian advance was a real historical event, but the interpretation of this event by the people of Judah was profoundly flawed. Culturally, there was a strong tendency to seek comforting prophecies from false prophets who promised peace and deliverance, rather than heeding the uncomfortable truths spoken by true prophets like Jeremiah, who consistently called for repentance and submission to God's judgment. This verse highlights the clash between divine truth and popular, politically motivated deception.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 37:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it emphasizes the **Divine Warning Against Self-Deception**, highlighting the human propensity to embrace comforting lies over uncomfortable truths, a spiritual failing that plagued Judah throughout its decline. The phrase "Deceive not yourselves" is a direct divine command that underscores the danger of such internal delusion. Secondly, the verse reinforces the **Inevitable Nature of God's Judgment**. Despite the temporary relief, the emphatic repetition of "they shall not depart" underscores the absolute certainty of the impending judgment, a theme consistently proclaimed by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 21:7](/jeremiah/21-7 "Jeremiah 21:7 - The Fate of Zedekiah and Jerusalem")). God's sovereign plan for judgment, a consequence of Judah's persistent sin and idolatry, would not be thwarted by human maneuvers or fleeting circumstances. Finally, it illustrates the **Consequences of Ignoring Prophetic Truth**. The people's refusal to heed Jeremiah's consistent warnings, preferring the empty promises of false prophets (as seen in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets and Their Deceptions")), led them deeper into a dangerous state of denial, ultimately culminating in the city's destruction and exile.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deceive (Hebrew, _nâshâʼ'_):** This word (H5377) is a primitive root meaning "to lead astray," "to delude," or "to seduce." When used reflexively, as it is here ("deceive not yourselves"), it powerfully conveys the idea of self-delusion. It's not merely that others are deceiving them, but that the people themselves are actively participating in their own misleading, embracing a false narrative that contradicts reality and divine truth. This highlights a deep spiritual and psychological blindness.
* **Chaldeans (Hebrew, _Kasdîy'_):** This term (H3778) refers to the inhabitants of Chaldea, specifically the Babylonians. In the context of Jeremiah, "Chaldeans" is virtually synonymous with the invading forces of Nebuchadnezzar, representing God's instrument of judgment against Judah. The specific mention of "Chaldeans" grounds the prophecy in the immediate historical reality, making the warning concrete and undeniable.
* **Depart (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This word (H3212) is a primitive root meaning "to walk" or "to go" (literally or figuratively); causatively, "to carry." In this verse, it is used to describe the movement of the Chaldeans, specifically their withdrawal. The emphatic repetition "shall surely depart... for they shall not depart" plays on this word, creating a powerful rhetorical device that negates the people's false hope of a permanent departure, affirming the certainty of their return.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD;":** This opening phrase is a classic prophetic formula, establishing the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It signals that the words are not Jeremiah's personal opinion but a direct oracle from God Himself, demanding immediate and serious attention.
* **"Deceive not yourselves, saying,":** This is a direct, urgent command from God to the people. The reflexive nature of "deceive yourselves" points to an internal, self-inflicted spiritual blindness. They are not merely being deceived by others (like false prophets) but are actively choosing to believe a lie that comforts them, rather than facing the hard truth of their situation and God's judgment.
* **"The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us:":** This clause represents the false hope and wishful thinking of the people. It reflects their interpretation of the temporary withdrawal of the Babylonian army as a permanent deliverance. The word "surely" (H1980, _hâlak_) here emphasizes the certainty they attached to this false belief, highlighting the depth of their delusion.
* **"for they shall not depart.":** This final, emphatic declaration from the LORD directly contradicts and shatters the people's false hope. The strong negation ("not depart") underscores the absolute certainty of the Chaldeans' return and the fulfillment of God's judgment. It is a divine decree that cannot be circumvented by human optimism or temporary circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 37:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the verb "depart" (`yâlak`). The phrase "The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart" creates a powerful **Antithesis** and **Irony**. The initial "surely depart" reflects the people's deluded hope, while the subsequent "shall not depart" is the divine, unyielding truth, directly negating their wishful thinking. This stark contrast highlights the vast chasm between human perception and divine reality. The verse also utilizes **Direct Address** and **Imperative Mood** ("Deceive not yourselves"), making the divine warning personal and immediate. This prophetic utterance functions as a **Divine Oracle**, emphasizing the LORD's absolute sovereignty and knowledge, contrasting it with human ignorance and self-deception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 37:9 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that God's truth, however uncomfortable, stands in stark contrast to human self-deception and wishful thinking. It reveals a God who is faithful to His word, even His word of judgment, and whose plans cannot be thwarted by human denial or temporary circumstances. The people's refusal to accept the reality of their sin and the impending consequences, preferring a comforting lie, led them further away from repentance and true deliverance. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that genuine hope is found not in denying reality but in aligning oneself with God's revealed truth, acknowledging His sovereignty over all events, including those that bring hardship. It underscores the danger of spiritual blindness and the necessity of discerning between divine revelation and human-generated falsehoods.

* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - The Deception of False Prophets")
* [Ezekiel 14:3-4](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3-4 - Idolatry in the Heart")
* [Proverbs 16:25](/proverbs/16-25 "Proverbs 16:25 - The Way That Seems Right")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 37:9 offers a timeless and piercing challenge to confront the insidious nature of self-deception. In a world often driven by narratives that prioritize comfort over truth, this verse calls believers to a radical honesty before God and themselves. It reminds us that true spiritual maturity involves embracing reality, even when it is painful or inconvenient, rather than constructing comforting illusions. We are prone to deceive ourselves about our spiritual condition, our circumstances, or the consequences of our choices, much like Judah deceived itself about the Chaldeans. The call to "deceive not yourselves" is a perpetual one, urging us to scrutinize our hopes and beliefs against the unwavering standard of God's Word. Genuine peace and security are not found in denying problems or clinging to false assurances, but in trusting God's sovereign plan and His promises, even amidst trials, and in submitting to His truth, however challenging it may be. This requires a humble heart, open to correction, and a steadfast reliance on divine revelation over personal preference or popular opinion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prone to self-deception, preferring a comforting lie over an uncomfortable truth?**
* **How do I discern between genuine hope rooted in God's promises and false hope born of wishful thinking or worldly assurances?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a greater openness to God's truth, especially when it challenges my preconceived notions or desires?**

### FAQ
**What was the "false hope" the people of Judah were clinging to?**

Answer: The false hope was the belief that the Babylonian (Chaldean) army, which had temporarily withdrawn from besieging Jerusalem due to the approach of an Egyptian army, would not return. The people and their leaders interpreted this temporary reprieve as a permanent deliverance, believing the immediate danger had passed and God would save them without their needing to repent or submit to His judgment. Jeremiah 37:9 directly contradicts this, stating emphatically that the Chaldeans "shall not depart" permanently.

**Why was self-deception so dangerous for Judah in this context?**

Answer: Self-deception was dangerous because it prevented the people from acknowledging the true gravity of their situation and God's righteous judgment against their persistent sin. By clinging to a false hope, they avoided repentance, refused to heed Jeremiah's warnings, and failed to prepare for the inevitable consequences. This spiritual blindness led them to make poor decisions, such as trusting in foreign alliances (like Egypt) rather than God, ultimately leading to the city's destruction and their exile, as detailed in [Jeremiah 39](/jeremiah/39 "Jeremiah 39 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

**How does this verse relate to the broader message of Jeremiah?**

Answer: Jeremiah 37:9 is central to Jeremiah's message of impending judgment and the people's stubborn resistance to God's word. Throughout the book, Jeremiah consistently warns Judah of the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience, urging them to repent and submit to Babylon as God's instrument. This verse highlights the deep-seated spiritual rebellion and denial that characterized Judah's final days, showing their preference for comforting lies over divine truth, a theme echoed in passages about false prophets (e.g., [Jeremiah 23:16-17](/jeremiah/23-16 "Jeremiah 23:16-17 - False Prophets and Their Lies")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 37:9, with its stark warning against self-deception and its declaration of inevitable judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "truth" that Judah so desperately needed to embrace, but continually rejected, is embodied in Christ Himself, who declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Humanity's propensity for self-deception, highlighted in Jeremiah, is a manifestation of its fallen nature, a heart "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" ([Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart")). Jesus came to expose this deception and offer genuine freedom through His truth: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" ([John 8:32](/john/8-32 "John 8:32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")). The judgment that was inevitable for Judah due to their sin finds its ultimate expression in the cross, where Christ, the innocent Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bore the full weight of divine wrath against sin, offering a way of escape from eternal judgment for all who believe ([Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - Christ's Love and Justification")). Unlike the temporary reprieve Judah sought from the Chaldeans, Christ offers a definitive and eternal deliverance from the dominion of sin and death, a salvation that is not a fleeting hope but a secure reality for those who build their lives on His unshakeable words ([Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24 "Matthew 7:24-27 - The Wise and Foolish Builders")). He is the ultimate reality against which all human illusions crumble, offering true peace and reconciliation with God.

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

Obadiah 1:3

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Galatians 6:7

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Matthew 24:4

¶ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Matthew 24:5

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Jeremiah 29:8

¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that [be] in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.