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.

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, This city {H5892} shall surely {H5414} be given {H5414} into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Babylon's {H894} army {H2428}, which shall take {H3920} it.

ADONAI says that this city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Bavel, and he will capture it."

This is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.”

Thus saith Jehovah, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.

Jeremiah 38:3 delivers a stark and unyielding prophecy directly from the LORD concerning the fate of Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates the divine decree that the city, despite its fortifications and the hopes of its inhabitants, would inevitably fall to the Babylonian army.

Context of Jeremiah 38:3

This verse is uttered during the tumultuous final years of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically during the reign of King Zedekiah. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," had consistently warned Judah and its leaders about the impending judgment due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. His message was deeply unpopular, urging surrender to Babylon as God's appointed instrument of judgment, rather than resistance. In Jeremiah 38, Jeremiah is imprisoned in a miry dungeon for delivering such messages, which were deemed defeatist and treasonous by the princes and officials. This particular declaration underscores the absolute certainty of the judgment that the people desperately tried to avoid, highlighting God's unwavering resolve to fulfill His word.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD" immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of this pronouncement. It powerfully conveys that God is sovereign over nations and their destinies, using even pagan empires like Babylon as instruments of His divine purpose. This is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, emphasizing that no earthly power can thwart God's plans, as seen in Daniel 2:21.
  • Inevitable Consequences of Disobedience: Jeremiah had repeatedly called Judah to repentance, but their persistent rebellion and idolatry led to this severe judgment. The "giving into the hand" signifies not just military defeat, but a divine handing over due to their unfaithfulness.
  • Prophetic Certainty: Despite the intense opposition and personal suffering Jeremiah endured, his prophecies were divinely inspired and therefore absolutely certain to come to pass. This verse reiterates the unavoidable reality that Jerusalem would be taken, a fulfillment that is historically documented in Jeremiah 39:1-2 and 2 Kings 25:1-10.

Linguistic Insights

The opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD," is a standard prophetic formula in Hebrew (Koh amar Adonai, כה אמר יהוה), signifying that the message is a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, not merely Jeremiah's opinion or political analysis. The phrase "shall surely be given into the hand" (Hebrew: nittnah b'yad, נתנה ביד) emphasizes a divine act of handing over or delivering, underscoring God's active role in orchestrating the events, rather than just passively observing the military conflict.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 38:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of ignoring divine warnings. It highlights the importance of heeding God's word, even when it is difficult, unpopular, or goes against our immediate desires or human wisdom. It reinforces the truth of God's sovereignty over all human affairs and nations, assuring us that His purposes will always prevail. For believers today, this verse encourages trust in God's ultimate control and reminds us that persistent rebellion against His revealed will can lead to severe, divinely ordained consequences.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 21:10

    For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

  • 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.

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