Jeremiah 38:18

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

But if thou wilt not go forth {H3318} to the king {H4428} of Babylon's {H894} princes {H8269}, then shall this city {H5892} be given {H5414} into the hand {H3027} of the Chaldeans {H3778}, and they shall burn {H8313} it with fire {H784}, and thou shalt not escape out {H4422} of their hand {H3027}.

But if you will not go out to the king of Bavel's officers, then this city will be handed over to the Kasdim; they will burn it to the ground; and you will not escape from them.'"

But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 38:18 (KJV)

Jeremiah 38:18 delivers a stark warning from the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah of Judah, revealing the dire consequences of disobedience during the final days of Jerusalem before its destruction by the Babylonians. This verse is part of a crucial, secret conversation between Jeremiah, who is imprisoned, and the wavering King Zedekiah, who seeks counsel but struggles to act on it.

Context

The Book of Jeremiah chronicles the prophet's challenging ministry during the reigns of Judah's last kings, culminating in the Babylonian exile. By Jeremiah 38, Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's forces (referred to as the Chaldeans). Jeremiah has consistently preached an unpopular message: surrender to Babylon is God's will and the only path to preserve the city and its inhabitants. In the preceding verse, Jeremiah 38:17, the prophet offers Zedekiah a choice, promising safety for him and the city if he surrenders to the Babylonian princes. Jeremiah 38:18 presents the grim alternative if Zedekiah refuses, highlighting the critical juncture at which the king stood.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conditional Prophecy: This verse powerfully illustrates the principle of conditional prophecy in the Bible. God, through His prophet, presents a clear choice with two distinct outcomes based on human response. It underscores that while God's ultimate plan is sovereign, human decisions have immediate and severe consequences.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary message is the catastrophic result of ignoring divine counsel. Zedekiah's refusal to "go forth to the king of Babylon's princes" (i.e., surrender) directly leads to the city's destruction and his own capture. This serves as a timeless warning against pride, fear of man, and rejection of God's revealed will.
  • Divine Judgment and Inevitable Destruction: The prophecy emphasizes the certainty of Jerusalem's fall if Zedekiah persists in his defiance. "Then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire" foretells the complete devastation that indeed occurred, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:9. The phrase "thou shalt not escape out of their hand" highlights the inescapable nature of God's judgment when warnings are unheeded.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 38:18 holds significant relevance for believers today. It reminds us of the importance of heeding God's warnings and following His guidance, even when it is difficult, unpopular, or counter-intuitive to human wisdom. Just as Zedekiah faced a crucial decision with eternal implications for his kingdom, we too face choices that determine our spiritual well-being and outcomes. This verse encourages us to:

  • Listen to God's Voice: Be attentive to God's counsel, whether through His Word, wise spiritual mentors, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Ignoring divine wisdom can lead to severe personal and collective consequences.
  • Embrace Humility Over Pride: Zedekiah's fear of his own officials and his pride prevented him from taking the humbling step of surrender. Often, our greatest obstacles to obedience are pride and the fear of what others might think.
  • Understand Consequences: Every choice carries a consequence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while God is merciful, there are also inevitable outcomes for persistent disobedience and rejection of His will.

Ultimately, Zedekiah chose not to surrender, leading to Jerusalem's fiery destruction and his tragic capture and blinding, a stark fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy.

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 38:3

    Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.

  • Jeremiah 24:8

    And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

  • Jeremiah 32:3

    For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

  • Jeremiah 32:5

    And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

  • 2 Kings 25:4

    And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

  • 2 Kings 25:10

    And all the army of the Chaldees, that [were with] the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.
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