Jeremiah 8:3

KJV

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

KJV (with Strong's)

And death {H4194} shall be chosen {H977} rather than life {H2416} by all the residue {H7611} of them that remain {H7604} of this evil {H7451} family {H4940}, which remain {H7604} in all the places {H4725} whither I have driven {H5080} them, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the survivors of this evil family who remain wherever I have driven them will prefer death to life," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

Berean Standard Bible

And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

American Standard Version

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 8:3 delivers a chilling prophecy of God's severe judgment upon the unrepentant people of Judah, foretelling a future so dire for the survivors of the impending destruction and exile that they would prefer death to continued existence. This verse underscores the profound despair and hopelessness that would engulf those scattered across foreign lands, serving as a stark testament to the ultimate consequences of persistent rebellion against the Divine will and the sovereign hand of the LORD in orchestrating both judgment and dispersion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 8:3 is embedded within a broader prophetic lament and warning (Jeremiah 8:1-17) that details the depth of Judah's spiritual apostasy and the certainty of God's impending wrath. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 8:1-2) describe the desecration of the dead, whose bones will be scattered and exposed to the sun, moon, and stars they worshipped, signifying utter humiliation and the complete undoing of their idolatrous practices. This sets a grim tone, establishing a scene of profound desolation and judgment that culminates in the extreme despair expressed in verse 3. The subsequent verses continue to detail Judah's spiritual sickness, their refusal to repent, and the inevitability of the Babylonian invasion as God's instrument of judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), a period marked by political instability, moral decay, and widespread idolatry. Despite repeated warnings from God through prophets, Judah stubbornly persisted in syncretism, injustice, and spiritual rebellion, mirroring the sins that led to the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel. The "places whither I have driven them" refers to the impending Babylonian exile, a catastrophic event that would see Jerusalem destroyed and its inhabitants forcibly deported to Babylon. Culturally, life was highly valued, making the preference for death an extreme expression of suffering, indicating conditions far worse than mere physical hardship—conditions that would strip away all hope and dignity, a fate often associated with severe curses in the ancient Near East, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28:67](/deuteronomy/28-67 "Deuteronomy 28:67 - The Curse of Distress").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the theme of **Severe Divine Judgment**, emphasizing that God's response to persistent sin and covenant unfaithfulness is not trivial but brings devastating consequences. The phrase "death shall be chosen rather than life" vividly portrays **Profound Despair and Hopelessness**, a direct outcome of living under God's curse and experiencing the full weight of His righteous anger. Furthermore, the verse underscores the theme of **Exile and Dispersion**, revealing God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the scattering of His people as a form of divine discipline, even though human empires like Babylon were the instruments. Finally, the reference to "this evil family" reinforces the theme of **Judah's Corruption and Unrepentance**, making it clear that their moral and spiritual decay was the direct cause of their impending catastrophe.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** (H4194) Derived from a root meaning "to die," this word denotes not only natural or violent physical cessation of life but also, concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades), and figuratively, pestilence or ruin. In Jeremiah 8:3, it signifies a state of utter ruin and despair, where the suffering of continued existence is so profound that the ultimate end of life is seen as a desirable alternative.
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** (H2416) From the verb "to live," this term encompasses not just biological existence but also vitality, well-being, prosperity, and the full flourishing of being. In stark contrast to "death," "life" here represents the normal, desired state of existence. The choice of death over life indicates a complete reversal of natural human instinct and a profound loss of all that makes life desirable or bearable.
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ'_):** (H3068, H6635) This powerful divine title, frequently found in prophetic books, combines the personal name of God, Yahweh (the self-existent, eternal One), with "hosts" (meaning a mass of persons or things, especially an army, or by implication, a campaign or service). It signifies God's supreme power, authority, and sovereignty over all creation—heavenly armies, natural forces, and earthly nations. In this context, it underscores the absolute certainty and divine origin of the judgment being pronounced, emphasizing that this is not merely a human prediction but a decree from the Almighty Commander of all.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And death shall be chosen rather than life":** This opening clause immediately establishes the horrific nature of the impending judgment. It is a statement of ultimate despair, indicating that the conditions of survival would be so unbearable that the natural human instinct for self-preservation would be inverted. The suffering would be so intense, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, that the release of death would be actively preferred.
* **"by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family":** This specifies the recipients of this dreadful fate: "the residue," meaning those who survive the initial waves of destruction and deportation. They are identified as belonging to "this evil family," a direct and damning indictment of the moral and spiritual corruption of the people of Judah, whose persistent rebellion against God has brought about this calamity.
* **"which remain in all the places whither I have driven them":** This clause clarifies the geographical context of their despair—the places of exile and dispersion. It explicitly states that their displacement is not accidental or merely a result of human conflict but is orchestrated by God ("whither I have driven them"). This emphasizes God's sovereign control over the nations and His use of exile as a punitive measure for their unfaithfulness.
* **"saith the LORD of hosts.":** This concluding phrase serves as a divine authentication of the prophecy. It asserts the absolute truth and certainty of the pronouncement, as it comes directly from the sovereign, all-powerful God, the "LORD of hosts," whose word cannot fail and whose judgments are righteous and inevitable when His people persist in rebellion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 8:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the choice of death over life is an extreme exaggeration designed to emphasize the profound and unimaginable suffering that awaits the survivors. This is not a literal instruction to choose death, but a vivid portrayal of utter despair. There is also a strong sense of **Irony** present; life, which is normally cherished, becomes a burden, and death, typically feared, becomes a longed-for escape. The phrase "this evil family" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, representing the entire corrupt nation of Judah through the familial term, highlighting their collective guilt and the depth of their moral decay. Finally, the concluding **Divine Pronouncement** ("saith the LORD of hosts") serves as a powerful rhetorical device, lending absolute authority and certainty to the prophecy, underscoring the irreversible nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 8:3 stands as a profound theological statement on the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine judgment for unrepentant rebellion. It reveals that God's patience has limits, and His justice will ultimately prevail, even if it means bringing His chosen people to a state of utter despair. The preference for death over life is a chilling illustration of the spiritual death that results from persistent separation from God, where all hope and meaning are stripped away. This verse powerfully reminds us that true life and flourishing are found only in covenant relationship with the LORD, and turning away from Him leads to a desolate existence, even if physically alive. It is a stark warning that the consequences of spiritual apostasy are not merely temporal but can impact the very will to live.

* [Deuteronomy 28:65-67](/deuteronomy/28-65-67 "Deuteronomy 28:65-67 - The Curse of Restlessness and Dread")
* [Lamentations 4:9](/lamentations/4-9 "Lamentations 4:9 - The Agony of Starvation")
* [Revelation 9:6](/revelation/9-6 "Revelation 9:6 - The Desire for Death in the Last Days")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 8:3, though set in a specific historical context of ancient Judah, carries timeless spiritual weight for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder of the devastating consequences of spiritual apathy, hardened hearts, and persistent disobedience to God's revealed will. While we may not face physical exile in the same manner, the principle remains: living apart from God's guidance and grace leads to a profound spiritual emptiness and despair that can make life feel unbearable. This verse calls us to a deep introspection, urging us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion or compromise. It challenges us to heed God's warnings, to cultivate a tender heart towards His Word, and to actively pursue repentance and obedience, recognizing that true flourishing and hope are found only in Him. It underscores the preciousness of life lived in communion with God, and the tragic alternative of a life lived in spiritual barrenness, where even existence itself becomes a burden.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might a "choice of death over life" manifest in contemporary spiritual or emotional despair, even without physical persecution?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's justice and His patience with sin?**
* **What are the "evil family" tendencies or patterns of rebellion in my own life or community that need to be addressed?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper appreciation for the "life" God offers, and avoid the spiritual conditions that lead to despair?**

### FAQ
**Why would the survivors prefer death over life?**
Answer: The preference for death over life in Jeremiah 8:3 signifies an unimaginable level of suffering and despair. It's not a literal choice but a hyperbole emphasizing that the conditions of their existence in exile—marked by extreme hardship, loss of homeland, desecration, constant fear, and the profound spiritual consequence of God's judgment—would be so unbearable that the natural human instinct for survival would be completely inverted. They would long for the peace and release that death offers, rather than enduring the agony of their continued, hopeless existence, a sentiment echoed in [Job 3:20-22](/job/3-20-22 "Job 3:20-22 - Why is Light Given to the Miserable?").

**Who is referred to as "this evil family"?**
Answer: "This evil family" refers to the people of Judah, particularly the generation living during Jeremiah's ministry, who had persistently engaged in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual rebellion against the covenant God. Despite repeated warnings and calls to repentance, they hardened their hearts and refused to turn back to the LORD, thus earning this severe divine indictment. Their collective sin and moral decay made them deserving of the severe judgment prophesied.

**What is the significance of the title "LORD of hosts" in this context?**
Answer: The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: *Yahweh Sabaoth*) is profoundly significant here. It emphasizes God's supreme power, authority, and sovereignty over all creation, including heavenly armies and earthly nations. By concluding the prophecy with "saith the LORD of hosts," Jeremiah underscores that this dire prediction is not merely a human opinion or a political forecast, but a certain and irreversible decree from the Almighty God, who commands all forces and orchestrates all events, including the exile and suffering of His people as a form of divine discipline. It highlights the absolute certainty and divine origin of the judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 8:3, with its chilling depiction of a people preferring death to life due to the crushing weight of sin and divine judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the profound contrast of the Gospel. While Judah faced a judgment that stripped away all hope, leading to a longing for death, Jesus Christ came to offer true life in abundance, even in the face of spiritual death. Humanity, enslaved by sin, was truly in a state worse than death, separated from God and without hope ([Ephesians 2:1-3](/ephesians/2-1-3 "Ephesians 2:1-3 - Dead in Sins")). Yet, Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, conquered the power of sin and death, offering a way out of despair. He is the [Resurrection and the Life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), promising that those who believe in Him, though they die, yet shall live. The despair of Jeremiah 8:3, born from rebellion against God, is overcome by the hope found in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to [find rest in Him](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). He transforms the longing for death into a longing for eternal life with God, a life secured not by human choice to escape suffering, but by divine grace through faith in the One who [gives life to the world](/john/6-33 "John 6:33 - The Bread of God Gives Life").

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

Revelation 9:6

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Jeremiah 29:14

And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 23:8

But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

Jeremiah 23:3

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

Job 7:15

So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life.

Job 7:16

I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days [are] vanity.

Deuteronomy 30:4

If [any] of thine be driven out unto the outmost [parts] of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: