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.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָבֶ֞ל
to Babylon
H894
וּבָבֶ֞ל
to Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
1 of 17
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
יוֹלִ֤ךְ
H1980
יוֹלִ֤ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְשָׁ֣ם
H8033
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 17
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
פָּקְדִ֥י
and there shall he be until I visit
H6485
פָּקְדִ֥י
and there shall he be until I visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
8 of 17
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֹת֖וֹ
H853
אֹת֖וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים
with the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים
with the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
15 of 17
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
Cross References
Jeremiah 27:22They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.Jeremiah 39:7Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.Jeremiah 33:5They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.Ezekiel 17:15But 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?
Historical Context
Zedekiah's alliance with Egypt (Jeremiah 37:5-7) temporarily lifted the siege, giving false hope. But as prophesied, the Babylonians returned and conquered (July 586 BC). Archaeological evidence shows massive destruction layers matching this period, with arrowheads and siege ramps confirming the biblical account.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you fought against God's clear direction and experienced the futility Jeremiah describes?
- How does understanding that God sovereignly grants 'success' change your approach to work and ministry?
- What's the difference between godly perseverance and stubborn resistance to God's revealed will?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Until I visit him (עַד־פָּקְדִי אֹתוֹ, ad-pokdi oto)—The verb paqad means to attend to, visit, punish, or care for. Zedekiah would remain in Babylon until God 'visited' him—likely a euphemism for death (he died in captivity). The ambiguity reflects judgment and mercy: God doesn't abandon but will 'attend to' even in exile.
Though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper (לֹא תַצְלִיחוּ, lo tatzlichu—not succeed). Resistance is futile when fighting against God's decreed judgment. The warning echoes 2 Chronicles 13:12 ('fight ye not against the LORD'). This isn't military pragmatism but theological realism: success (tsalach) comes from God alone (Psalm 1:3, Joshua 1:8). Without divine blessing, human effort is vanity—a lesson Israel repeatedly forgot.