Jeremiah 38:2

Jeremiah 38:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“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.

King James Version 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

These are the words of the Lord: Whoever goes on living in this town will come to his death by the sword or through need of food or by disease: but whoever goes out to the Chaldaeans will keep his life out of the power of the attackers and be safe.

Free Bible Version FBV

This is what the Lord says: Anyone who remains in this city will die from war and famine and disease, but anyone who goes over to the Babylonians will live. Their reward will be to save their lives.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Thus sayth the Lord, He that remaineth in this citie, shall dye by the sworde, by the famine and by the pestilence: but hee that goeth foorth to the Caldeans, shall liue: for he shall haue his life for a praye, and shall liue.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'Thus said Jehovah: He who is remaining in this city dieth, by sword, by famine, and by pestilence, and he who is going forth unto the Chaldeans liveth, and his soul hath been to him for a prey, and he liveth.

World English Bible WEB

“The LORD says, ‘He who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live. He will escape with his life and he will live.’

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Thus saith the Lord: Whosoever shell remain in this city, shall die by the sword, and by famine, and by pestilence: but he that shall go forth to the Chaldeans, shall live, and his life shall be safe, and he shall live.

Translation for Translators T4T

I had been telling them that Yahweh was saying, “Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die. They will be killed by their enemies’ swords or from famines or from diseases. But those who surrender to the Babylonian army, they will be spared. They will not be killed.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 38:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 38:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כֹּה֮ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָה֒ הַ/יֹּשֵׁב֙ בָּ/עִ֣יר הַ/זֹּ֔את יָמ֕וּת בַּ/חֶ֖רֶב בָּ/רָעָ֣ב וּ/בַ/דָּ֑בֶר וְ/הַ/יֹּצֵ֤א אֶל הַ/כַּשְׂדִּים֙ יחיה וְ/חָיָ֔ה וְ/הָיְתָה לּ֥/וֹ נַפְשׁ֛/וֹ לְ/שָׁלָ֖ל וָ/חָֽי

כֹּה֮ kôh H3541 thus Adv

אָמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Perf-3ms

יְהוָה֒ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

הַ/יֹּשֵׁב֙ yâshab H3427 to dwell Art | V-Qal

בָּ/עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Prep | N-fs

הַ/זֹּ֔את zôʼth H2063 this Art | Pron

יָמ֕וּת mûwth H4191 to die V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

בַּ/חֶ֖רֶב chereb H2719 sword Prep | N-fs

בָּ/רָעָ֣ב râʻâb H7458 famine Prep | N-ms

וּ/בַ/דָּ֑בֶר deber H1698 pestilence Conj | Prep | N-ms

וְ/הַ/יֹּצֵ֤א yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Conj | Art | V-Qal

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הַ/כַּשְׂדִּים֙ Kasdîy H3778 Chaldea Art | N-proper

יחיה châyâh H2421 to live V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

וְ/חָיָ֔ה châyâh H2421 to live Conj | V-Qal-3ms

וְ/הָיְתָה hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-3fs

לּ֥/וֹ Prep | Suff

נַפְשׁ֛/וֹ nephesh H5315 soul N-cs | Suff

לְ/שָׁלָ֖ל shâlâl H7998 spoil Prep | N-ms

וָ/חָֽי châyâh H2421 to live Conj | V-Qal-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 38:2

כֹּה֮ kôh H3541 "thus" Adv

This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.

Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.

אָמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

יְהוָה֒ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

הַ/יֹּשֵׁב֙ yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Art | V-Qal

This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.

בָּ/עִ֣יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Prep | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

הַ/זֹּ֔את zôʼth H2063 "this" Art | Pron

This Hebrew word means this or that, often used to point out something specific. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how

Usage: Occurs in 570 OT verses. KJV: hereby (-in, -with), it, likewise, the one (other, same), she, so (much), such (deed), that, therefore, these, this (thing), thus. See also: Genesis 2:23; Numbers 7:88; Judges 1:27.

יָמ֕וּת mûwth H4191 "to die" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.

Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely

Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

בַּ/חֶ֖רֶב chereb H2719 "sword" Prep | N-fs

A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.

Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone

Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.

בָּ/רָעָ֣ב râʻâb H7458 "famine" Prep | N-ms

Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.

Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)

Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.

וּ/בַ/דָּ֑בֶר deber H1698 "pestilence" Conj | Prep | N-ms

A plague or pestilence, like a disease that affects people or animals, as seen in Exodus 9:3 where God sends a pestilence on the Egyptians.

Definition: 1) pestilence, plague 2) murrain, cattle disease, cattle-plague

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: murrain, pestilence, plague. See also: Exodus 5:3; Jeremiah 28:8; Psalms 78:50.

וְ/הַ/יֹּצֵ֤א yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Conj | Art | V-Qal

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

הַ/כַּשְׂדִּים֙ Kasdîy H3778 "Chaldea" Art | N-proper

Chaldea refers to a region in Mesopotamia and its inhabitants, known for wisdom and astrology, as seen in Daniel 1:4. The Chaldeans lived near the Persian Gulf and were considered wise. They are mentioned in 2 Kings 25:11.

Definition: § Chaldea or Chaldeans = "clod-breakers" 1) a territory in lower Mesopotamia bordering on the Persian Gulf 2) the inhabitants of Chaldea, living on the lower Euphrates and Tigris 3) those persons considered the wisest in the land (by extension)

Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: Chaldeans, Chaldees, inhabitants of Chaldea. See also: Genesis 11:28; Jeremiah 37:13; Isaiah 13:19.

יחיה châyâh H2421 "to live" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To live or have life is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to revive or be quickened. It is used in the Bible to describe God's power to sustain life and restore people to health, as seen in the stories of the prophets and Jesus' miracles.

Definition: 1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to live 1a1a) to have life 1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive 1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon 1a1d) to live (prosperously) 1a2) to revive, be quickened 1a2a) from sickness 1a2b) from discouragement 1a2c) from faintness 1a2d) from death 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to preserve alive, let live 1b2) to give life 1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh 1b3a) to restore to life 1b3b) to cause to grow 1b3c) to restore 1b3d) to revive 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to preserve alive, let live 1c2) to quicken, revive 1c2a) to restore (to health) 1c2b) to revive 1c2c) to restore to life

Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: keep (leave, make) alive, [idiom] certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken, recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, ([idiom] God) save (alive, life, lives), [idiom] surely, be whole. See also: Genesis 5:3; 2 Samuel 16:16; Psalms 22:27.

וְ/חָיָ֔ה châyâh H2421 "to live" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

וְ/הָיְתָה hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-3fs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

לּ֥/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

נַפְשׁ֛/וֹ nephesh H5315 "soul" N-cs | Suff

The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.

Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain

Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.

לְ/שָׁלָ֖ל shâlâl H7998 "spoil" Prep | N-ms

Shâlâl refers to the spoils of war, or the booty taken from enemies. It is used in the Bible to describe the plunder or prey taken in battle. In the KJV, it is translated as 'prey' or 'spoil'.

Definition: 1) prey, plunder, spoil, booty 1a) prey 1b) booty, spoil, plunder (of war) 1c) plunder (private) 1d) gain (meaning uncertain)

Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: prey, spoil. See also: Genesis 49:27; 2 Chronicles 15:11; Psalms 68:13.

וָ/חָֽי châyâh H2421 "to live" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

Study Notes — Jeremiah 38:2

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Context
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 38:2
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 38:2
Sermons on Jeremiah 38:2

Context — Jeremiah Cast into the Cistern

1Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard that Jeremiah had been telling all the people:

2“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.

3This 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.” 4Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 39:18	For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’”
2	Jeremiah 34:17	Therefore this is what the LORD says: You have not obeyed Me; you have not proclaimed freedom, each man for his brother and for his neighbor. So now I proclaim freedom for you, declares the LORD—freedom to fall by sword, by plague, and by famine! I will make you a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
3	Jeremiah 45:5	But as for you, do you seek great things for yourself? Stop seeking! For I will bring disaster on every living creature, declares the LORD, but wherever you go, I will grant your life as a spoil of war.”
4	Jeremiah 42:17	So all who resolve to go to Egypt to reside there will die by sword and famine and plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring upon them.’
5	Ezekiel 14:21	For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast?
6	Matthew 24:7–8	Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
7	Jeremiah 27:13	Why should you and your people die by sword and famine and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?
8	Jeremiah 24:8	But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt.
9	Ezekiel 5:12–17	A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them. And when My anger is spent and I have vented My wrath against them, I will be appeased. And when I have spent My wrath on them, they will know that I, the LORD, in My zeal have spoken. I will make you a ruin and a disgrace among the nations around you, in the sight of all who pass by. So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken. When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food. I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”
10	Jeremiah 29:18	I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them.

Jeremiah 38:2 Summary

In Jeremiah 38:2, God is telling the people that if they stay in the city, they will die, but if they surrender to the Chaldeans, they will live. This is a difficult message, but it shows that God is a God of love who wants to spare people's lives. It's like when God told the Israelites to choose life in Deuteronomy 30:19 - He wants what's best for us, even if it's hard to understand. By surrendering to the Chaldeans, the people would be able to keep their lives, like a soldier claiming spoils of war, and they would be able to live, as described in Exodus 15:9 and Proverbs 21:17.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God tell the people to surrender to the Chaldeans in Jeremiah 38:2?

God tells the people to surrender to the Chaldeans because He is a God of love and wants to spare their lives, as seen in Jeremiah 38:2, and also in Deuteronomy 30:19 where He sets before them life and death, and encourages them to choose life.

What does it mean to 'retain his life like a spoil of war' in Jeremiah 38:2?

To 'retain his life like a spoil of war' means that the person who surrenders will be spared and will get to keep their life, much like a soldier claims spoils of war as a reward for their victory, as described in Proverbs 21:17 and Exodus 15:9.

Is surrendering to the enemy always the right thing to do, according to Jeremiah 38:2?

No, surrendering to the enemy is not always the right thing to do, but in this specific case, God is instructing the people to surrender as a means of survival and to avoid certain death, as seen in Jeremiah 38:2 and also in 2 Kings 24:10-12 where the people are taken into exile.

How does Jeremiah 38:2 apply to our lives today?

Jeremiah 38:2 can apply to our lives today by reminding us to trust in God's sovereignty and to obey His commands, even when it seems counterintuitive or difficult, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Proverbs 3:5-6.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's will, just as the people were instructed to surrender to the Chaldeans in Jeremiah 38:2?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when the circumstances seem dire, as they did for the people in Jeremiah 38:2?
What are some 'spoils of war' that I can claim as a result of surrendering to God, and how can I use them to bring glory to His name, as described in Jeremiah 38:2 and 1 Corinthians 10:31?
In what ways can I be a source of encouragement and hope to others, rather than discouragement and fear, as the officials accused Jeremiah of in Jeremiah 38:4?
How can I balance the need to trust in God's sovereignty with the need to take action and make decisions in my life, as seen in Jeremiah 38:2 and James 2:14-26?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 38:2

Thus saith the Lord, he that remaineth in this city,.... Of Jerusalem; that does not go out of it, and surrender himself to the Chaldeans; but continues in it fighting against them: shall die by the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 38:2

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2

As to what is , it is no more than had for some time been the constant tenor of this prophet’ s prophecies. The crime seemeth to lie in this, that in such a time of extreme danger he should repeat this prophecy, and also advise the people to leave the city, and shift for themselves, by going out to the Chaldeans, telling them that if they did so, though the city would be lost, and their estates in it lost, yet they should save their lives, which words might encourage many of low and cowardly spirits to desert their posts; which indeed had been crime sufficient in an ordinary time, and under ordinary circumstances, but was no crime now that God had revealed his will to the king, princes, and people that the city should be lost; there lay now no further duty upon any to contribute to its defence, but they were obliged to make as good provisions for themselves as they could; but these wicked princes believed no such thing, therefore they make this a great charge.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2

Jeremiah 38:2 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.Ver. 2. Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in the city.] This is the self-same truth which he had preached before, and for the which he suffered. See Jeremiah 21:9. He is constant to his principles, and although it be commonly said and seen that he who receives a courtesy sells his liberty; yet it was not so with this holy prophet. He had received some enlargement, and care was taken by the king that a piece, or a roll of bread should be brought him daily to the prison out of the baker’ s street: but that stoppeth not his mouth.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 38:2

(2) Thus saith the Lord.—The words carry us back to Jeremiah 21:9, and in any chronological arrangement of the book the one chapter would follow the other. It is obvious that to all who did not recognise the divine mission of the prophet, words like those which he had then spoken would seem to come from the lips of a traitor. Desertion to the enemy was represented as the only way of safety, and this was the counsel given to those who were defending the city of their fathers against an alien invader. What made it appear worse was that the prophet himself had been caught in an act which, though he denied the charge, might not unnaturally seem like an act of treacherous desertion.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 38:2

2. He that abideth, etc.] The v. is substantially identical with Jeremiah 21:9, and Co. following Du. considers that it is a later insertion in this place, on the ground that while such advice under the earlier circumstances was permissible, now in the actual presence of the enemy it would have been treasonable.

Sermons on Jeremiah 38:2

	Sermon	Description
	Jeremiah 37-39 by Ken Baird	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the sad lesson of the children of Israel being exiled from their land and the judgment of God taking effect. The speaker emphasizes the deep
	His Name -- the Counsellor by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the title given to Christ as a counselor. He explains that Christ is a counselor in three ways: as God's counselor, as our counselor in times
	A Warning to Would-Be Teachers by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accountability for those who teach the word of God. He explains that teachers will not only be judged for the content of th
	Seek Not Great Things for Yourself by Joshua Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the importance of humility, selflessness, and seeking God's will above personal ambitions. It warns against the dangers of self-importance, seeking great thi
	The Little Servant-Maid by Raymond Golsworthy	Raymond Golsworthy preaches on the remarkable story of the little maid in 2 Kings 5:2, who despite being a stranger in a strange land, among the 'are-nots' of the world, and coming
	The Doom of the Double-Hearted. by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar warns against the fate of the double-hearted, exemplified by Balaam, who sought to serve both God and mammon, ultimately leading to his downfall. Balaam's life was m
	Uzziah, King of Judah, or the Danger of Success by Harry Ironside	Harry Ironside delivers a powerful sermon on King Uzziah of Judah, illustrating the peril of success and pride. Uzziah began his reign by seeking the Lord and prospered greatly, bu