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Jeremiah 37:5

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Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.

Then Pharaoh's {H6547} army {H2428} was come forth {H3318} out of Egypt {H4714}: and when the Chaldeans {H3778} that besieged {H6696} Jerusalem {H3389} heard {H8085} tidings {H8088} of them, they departed {H5927} from Jerusalem {H3389}.

At the same time Pharaoh's army marched out of Egypt; and when the Kasdim besieging Yerushalayim heard about them, they lifted the siege from Yerushalayim.

Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem.

And Pharaoh’s army was come forth out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans that were besieging Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they brake up from Jerusalem.

Commentary

Jeremiah 37:5 describes a brief, strategic pause in the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. At this critical juncture, King Zedekiah and the people of Judah were desperately hoping for relief from the encroaching Chaldean forces. This verse details a moment when an Egyptian army, led by Pharaoh Hophra (also known as Apries), marched out of Egypt, prompting the besieging Chaldeans to temporarily withdraw from Jerusalem.

Context

The historical backdrop to Jeremiah 37:5 is the final tumultuous years of the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem was under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion against God and their unfaithfulness. Despite repeated warnings from the prophet Jeremiah to surrender to Babylon as a sign of God's judgment and to avoid further destruction, King Zedekiah and his officials frequently sought alliances with Egypt, believing it would be their salvation. This verse highlights one such instance where Egyptian intervention seemed to offer a glimmer of hope, however fleeting.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Temporary Relief vs. True Deliverance: The departure of the Chaldeans was a temporary reprieve, not a lasting deliverance. It created a false sense of security, which Jeremiah immediately countered with further prophecies (see Jeremiah 37:7), emphasizing that the Egyptians would retreat and the Babylonians would return to complete their conquest. This highlights the danger of relying on human alliances over divine instruction.
  • Human Reliance vs. Divine Sovereignty: Judah's consistent reliance on Egypt was a direct act of disobedience to God's command not to trust in foreign powers (Jeremiah 2:36). This verse illustrates the immediate, though temporary, outcome of such reliance, while the broader narrative of Jeremiah demonstrates its ultimate futility. God's sovereignty over nations and their movements is subtly affirmed, even in this temporary withdrawal.
  • Prophetic Accuracy: Jeremiah had consistently warned against trusting Egypt. This temporary withdrawal of the Chaldeans provided a brief opportunity for Judah to repent and obey, yet they largely failed to do so. The subsequent events, including the final fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:1-2), proved the accuracy of Jeremiah's prophecies regarding both Egyptian weakness and Babylonian dominance.

Significance and Application

Jeremiah 37:5 serves as a powerful historical example with enduring spiritual lessons. It reminds us that apparent solutions or temporary relief from difficulties may not always be true deliverance, especially if they are sought outside of God's will. For the people of Judah, this moment was a test of faith – would they finally heed Jeremiah's warnings and turn to God, or would they cling to the illusion of Egyptian help?

In our own lives, this verse encourages us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on temporary human interventions, political solutions, or worldly strategies, rather than seeking God's guidance and provision? True security and lasting peace come from trusting in the Lord with all our heart, rather than leaning on our own understanding or the strength of fleeting alliances. The brief respite described here ultimately led to a return of greater pressure, underscoring that God's ultimate plan, even when it involves judgment, will be fulfilled.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Ezekiel 17:15 (5 votes)

    But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

  • Jeremiah 37:11 (4 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army,

  • Jeremiah 34:21 (4 votes)

    And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.

  • 2 Kings 24:7 (4 votes)

    And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 37:7 (3 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.