Jeremiah 38:2

KJV

Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, He that remaineth {H3427} in this city {H5892} shall die {H4191} by the sword {H2719}, by the famine {H7458}, and by the pestilence {H1698}: but he that goeth forth {H3318} to the Chaldeans {H3778} shall live {H2421}; for he shall have his life {H5315} for a prey {H7998}, and shall live {H2421}{H2425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Here is what ADONAI says: whoever remains in this city will die by sword, famine and plague; but whoever leaves and surrenders to the Kasdim will stay alive; his own life will be his only 'spoils of war,' but he will stay alive.

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey, and he shall live.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 38:2 delivers a stark, divinely ordained ultimatum to the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege: continued resistance within the city will inevitably lead to death by sword, famine, and pestilence, while humble surrender to the Chaldeans offers a miraculous preservation of life. This prophetic declaration, delivered by Jeremiah, underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the fate of nations and individuals, revealing a counter-intuitive path to survival amidst impending judgment, where life itself becomes a divinely granted spoil snatched from the jaws of destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 38:2 is situated within the latter, climactic section of the book of Jeremiah, specifically during the final, desperate days of Jerusalem's siege by the Neo-Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar. This verse is presented as a direct word from Yahweh, delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, who was consistently persecuted and imprisoned for his unpopular message. It immediately follows Jeremiah's repeated warnings to King Zedekiah and the people of Judah to surrender, a message that was considered treasonous by the city's officials and military leaders (as detailed in [Jeremiah 37](/jeremiah/37 "Jeremiah 37 - Jeremiah Imprisoned") and [Jeremiah 38:1](/jeremiah/38-1 "Jeremiah 38:1 - Jeremiah's Prophecy Angers Officials")). Despite his continued imprisonment in the court of the guard, Jeremiah persists in delivering God's challenging and seemingly paradoxical message of hope through submission. This specific verse encapsulates the core of Jeremiah's prophetic burden throughout this tumultuous period, reiterating the divine choice presented to the beleaguered city.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the devastating final siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) by the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Judah, a small kingdom caught between the regional superpowers of Egypt and Babylon, had repeatedly rebelled against Babylonian suzerainty, often looking to Egypt for futile assistance. King Zedekiah, a weak and vacillating ruler, was caught between the prophet Jeremiah's divine counsel to surrender and the strong anti-Babylonian faction within his court. Sieges in the ancient Near East were notoriously brutal, characterized by immense suffering, widespread starvation, and rampant disease, often culminating in the complete destruction of the city and the enslavement or slaughter of its inhabitants. The "sword, famine, and pestilence" were common and expected consequences of prolonged sieges, frequently interpreted as instruments of divine judgment. Jeremiah's message to "go forth to the Chaldeans" was culturally and politically anathema, equivalent to advocating treason and abandoning one's nation and God-given city, yet it was the only path to survival.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several central themes found throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as the phrase "Thus saith the LORD" establishes Yahweh's absolute authority over the destiny of Judah and the nations. The impending doom is not merely a political or military outcome but a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience, as warned throughout [Jeremiah's ministry](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon") and particularly in his temple sermon. Secondly, it presents a **Stark Choice and the Paradox of Salvation**, where life is found not through defiant resistance, but through humble, albeit humiliating, surrender to the very instrument of God's judgment. This counter-intuitive path to preservation underscores God's unique wisdom, which often defies human logic (compare [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours")). Finally, it reveals **God's Mercy Amidst Judgment**, demonstrating that even in the midst of severe divine wrath, a way of escape is provided for those who heed His voice, affirming His desire for life over death (as seen in [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God Desires Repentance, Not Death")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, "the self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This foundational name emphasizes God's unchanging, covenantal nature and His absolute authority. In Jeremiah 38:2, it underscores that the grim prophecy is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or a political strategy, but a direct, authoritative decree from the sovereign God of Israel, who controls history and destiny. The use of this name imbues the message with ultimate divine weight and certainty.
* **remaineth (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, "to sit down... to dwell, to remain." This word signifies a deliberate choice to stay put, to abide in the city. The implication is active resistance to God's command to surrender. Those who "remain" are choosing a path of defiance, trusting in the city's defenses and their own strength rather than God's revealed will, thereby sealing their fate. It highlights the stubborn refusal to acknowledge divine judgment.
* **live (Hebrew, _châyâh'_):** From H2421, "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." This word appears twice in the latter part of the verse, emphasizing the certainty of life for those who obey. It signifies not merely physical survival, but a divinely granted preservation, a stark contrast to the death awaiting those who remain. It points to God as the ultimate source of life, even in the most dire circumstances, and underscores His desire to preserve a remnant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. It is a prophetic oracle, a direct declaration from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, indicating that the following words are not human counsel or political maneuvering but an unalterable divine decree. It demands immediate and unquestioning attention.
* **"He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:"**: This clause presents the dire and inescapable consequence for those who choose to defy God's command and persist in resisting the Babylonians within Jerusalem. "Sword, famine, and pestilence" represent the three classic instruments of divine judgment in the Old Testament, often associated with siege warfare, signifying a complete, comprehensive, and inescapable destruction for the disobedient. Their fate is sealed by their stubborn defiance.
* **"but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live;"**: This clause offers the alternative path, a counter-intuitive and seemingly treasonous act of surrender. "Going forth to the Chaldeans" means defecting from Jerusalem and yielding to the besieging Babylonian army. This act, deemed utterly shameful and disloyal by human standards, is paradoxically presented as the sole means of physical preservation and life, highlighting God's sovereign control over seemingly impossible situations and His ability to use even enemies for His purposes.
* **"for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live."**: This concluding phrase further clarifies the nature of the promised life. "His life for a prey" is a vivid Hebrew idiom (H7998, _shâlâl'_) signifying a narrow escape, a life snatched from the jaws of death, much like a valuable item taken as spoil from an enemy. The repetition of "shall live" underscores the certainty and preciousness of this divinely granted survival, emphasizing that life itself would be a miraculous gift, rescued from certain destruction, rather than achieved through human effort or military might.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 38:2 is rich in **Contrast/Antithesis**, setting up a stark dichotomy between two mutually exclusive paths and their diametrically opposed outcomes: remaining in the city (leading to death by sword, famine, and pestilence) versus going forth to the Chaldeans (leading to life). This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, emphasizing the gravity and finality of the choice. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, immediately signaling the authoritative, non-negotiable nature of the message, elevating it beyond human political debate and asserting Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty. The specific calamities—"sword, famine, and pestilence"—form a **Tricolon**, a list of three elements, which serves to emphasize the comprehensive, inescapable, and divinely ordained nature of the judgment awaiting those who defy God. Finally, the vivid **Idiom** "he shall have his life for a prey" (or "his life shall be as spoil") functions as a **Metaphor**, comparing the act of survival to seizing valuable plunder from a defeated foe. This powerful imagery conveys the idea of a miraculous, unexpected rescue from certain doom, highlighting that even life itself would be a divinely granted trophy, not a human achievement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 38:2 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that true life and security are found not in human strength, strategic resistance, or worldly wisdom, but in humble, obedient submission to God's revealed will, even when that will seems counter-intuitive, humiliating, or politically disastrous. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to use even pagan empires as instruments of His judgment and His mercy. The verse reveals that God, in His justice, allows severe consequences for persistent rebellion, yet in His compassion, always provides a path of escape for those who will submit. This divine paradox—finding life through surrender—is a recurring theme in scripture, challenging humanity's natural inclination towards self-preservation through defiance. It teaches that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom often looks like foolishness to the world, yet it is the only path to true flourishing and genuine preservation.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Higher Than Ours")
* [Ezekiel 33:11](/ekekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance, Not Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 38:2 offers a timeless spiritual lesson for individuals and communities today, challenging us to examine where our ultimate trust lies: in our own strength, our preferred strategies, or in God's often-paradoxical commands. In moments of crisis, whether personal or collective, God's path to deliverance may require us to "surrender" in ways that feel counter-intuitive, unpopular, or even humiliating in the eyes of the world. This might mean letting go of control, forgiving an offense, admitting weakness, stepping away from a seemingly advantageous position, or embracing a truth that contradicts popular opinion. True spiritual deliverance often comes not through defiant resistance against God's revealed will, but through humble submission to His wisdom, even when it defies our logic or societal norms. This verse reminds us that God's ultimate desire is for life, and He often provides a way of escape even amidst severe judgment, if we are willing to discern His voice and obey, even when it means going against popular opinion or our own natural inclinations. It calls us to radical trust in the God who can bring life out of apparent defeat and transform what seems like foolishness into salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I resisting God's call to "surrender" because it feels counter-intuitive or against my natural inclinations?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what true "strength" and "weakness" look like in the eyes of God?**
* **What "sword, famine, or pestilence" (metaphorically speaking) might I be facing due to my unwillingness to obey a difficult divine command?**

### FAQ
**Was Jeremiah advocating treason by telling people to surrender to the Chaldeans?**

Answer: From a purely human, political, and nationalistic perspective, Jeremiah's message could certainly be interpreted as treason. He was advising the citizens of Jerusalem to defect to the invading enemy, which was an act punishable by death. However, from God's perspective, Jeremiah was delivering a divine decree. God had determined that Judah's persistent sin and rebellion had led to this judgment, and the Babylonians were His chosen instrument of discipline. Therefore, surrendering to the Chaldeans was not an act of disloyalty to Judah, but an act of obedience to God. It was the only path to physical preservation, demonstrating that true allegiance and security lay in submitting to God's sovereign will, even when it contradicted the prevailing human wisdom or nationalistic fervor. Jeremiah was not a political strategist but a prophet, speaking God's truth regardless of its unpopularity or perceived political implications, prioritizing divine command over human allegiance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 38:2, with its stark choice between death through resistance and life through surrender, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, trapped in the "city" of sin and rebellion, faces an inevitable "death by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence" of spiritual judgment and eternal separation from God. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, provides a way of escape—a call to "go forth" from our self-reliance and surrender to Him. This surrender is embodied in faith in Jesus, who perfectly exemplified obedience to the Father's will. The "life for a prey" offered to those who went forth to the Chaldeans foreshadows the ultimate "prey" won by Christ on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus "spoiled principalities and powers," triumphing over them (as declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He became the ultimate "spoil" of God's redemptive plan, snatching humanity from the jaws of eternal death. His call to "whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (as in [Matthew 10:39](/matthew/10-39 "Matthew 10:39 - Losing Life to Find It")) perfectly echoes the paradox of Jeremiah 38:2: true life is found not in resisting God's will but in surrendering to it, specifically by embracing the "foolishness" of the cross (as described in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")). Jesus is the one who came that we might "have life, and have it more abundantly" (as promised in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")), a life secured through His ultimate act of obedience and surrender to the Father's will, offering eternal life to all who believe.

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 39:18

For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 34:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Jeremiah 45:5

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek [them] not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

Ezekiel 14:21

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Jeremiah 42:17

So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

Ezekiel 6:11

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

Jeremiah 21:8

¶ And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.