Jeremiah 8:3

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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Jeremiah 8:3 delivers a stark and sobering prophecy concerning the future of the people of Judah, specifically those who would survive the impending severe judgment from God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger lament and warning from the prophet Jeremiah, who ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The people had stubbornly persisted in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual rebellion, despite repeated calls from God to repent. Jeremiah 8 as a whole describes the depth of Judah's spiritual sickness and the certainty of God's impending wrath. The preceding verses paint a picture of utter desolation and the desecration of the land, setting the stage for the profound despair expressed in verse 3.

Key Themes

  • Severe Divine Judgment: The verse underscores the ultimate consequence of persistent sin and rebellion against God. The judgment would be so overwhelming that death would be preferred to the agony of continued existence. This reflects the severity of God's response to Judah's unfaithfulness.
  • Profound Despair and Hopelessness: The phrase "death shall be chosen rather than life" vividly portrays a state of extreme suffering and hopelessness. It indicates that the conditions of exile and displacement would be so unbearable that people would long for the release of death. This dire prediction is echoed in other prophetic books concerning the aftermath of judgment, such as Deuteronomy 28:67, which speaks of similar distress.
  • Exile and Dispersion: The "residue of them that remain" refers to those who would survive the initial destruction of Jerusalem and be scattered or driven into exile, primarily by the Babylonians. The phrase "whither I have driven them" emphasizes God's sovereign hand in orchestrating these events as a form of divine discipline and judgment, even though human nations were the instruments.
  • Consequence of an "Evil Family": The reference to "this evil family" directly points to the corrupt and unrepentant generation of Judah. Their moral and spiritual decay had reached a point where such severe judgment was inevitable.

Linguistic Insights

The title "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful designation for God, appearing frequently in prophetic books. It signifies God's supreme power and authority over all creation, including angelic armies and earthly nations. In this context, it underscores the absolute certainty and divine origin of the judgment being pronounced, emphasizing that it is not merely a human prediction but a decree from the Almighty Commander.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 8:3 serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of rejecting God's warnings and persisting in sin. While the immediate context is ancient Judah, the principle remains timeless:

  • It highlights the seriousness with which God views sin and spiritual rebellion.
  • It encourages introspection and a willingness to heed divine counsel and repent, rather than hardening one's heart, as Judah did (see Jeremiah 7:24).
  • Even in the midst of severe judgment, God's sovereignty is evident. Though painful, these experiences can be intended to bring about repentance and ultimately lead to restoration for those who turn back to Him (see Jeremiah 29:11 for a glimpse of future hope after exile).

This verse underscores the importance of seeking God's ways to avoid the despair that comes from living apart from His guidance and grace.

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.

  • 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:

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