Jeremiah 38:17
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
Original Language Analysis
יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
2 of 28
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָה֩
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֩
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
9 of 28
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 28
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
12 of 28
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תֵצֵ֜א
If thou wilt assuredly
H3318
תֵצֵ֜א
If thou wilt assuredly
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
13 of 28
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
תֵצֵ֜א
If thou wilt assuredly
H3318
תֵצֵ֜א
If thou wilt assuredly
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 28
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בָּבֶל֙
of Babylon's
H894
בָּבֶל֙
of Babylon's
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
18 of 28
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְחָיִ֖תָה
and thou shalt live
H2421
וְחָיִ֖תָה
and thou shalt live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
19 of 28
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ
then thy soul
H5315
נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ
then thy soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
20 of 28
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וְהָעִ֣יר
and this city
H5892
וְהָעִ֣יר
and this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
21 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
23 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 27:12I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.Jeremiah 38:2Thus 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.Jeremiah 27:17Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?Jeremiah 39:3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.2 Kings 24:12And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.Psalms 80:14Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;Psalms 80:7Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.1 Chronicles 17:24Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.Amos 5:27Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts.
Historical Context
By 587 BC, Babylon had crushed Judah's Egyptian allies and tightened the siege. Surrender was militarily inevitable, but Zedekiah's pro-Egyptian court faction (the princes who opposed Jeremiah) insisted on resistance. Jeremiah's message aligned with political reality and divine decree: Babylon was God's chosen instrument of judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jeremiah's message reveal about God's sovereignty over pagan empires like Babylon?
- Why might Zedekiah find it harder to obey God's "shameful" command than to face certain destruction?
- How does this choice between God's way (surrender) and human pride (resistance) mirror spiritual decisions we face?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If thou wilt assuredly go forth (יָצֹא תֵּצֵא)—The emphatic Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + verb) stresses the certainty and necessity of surrender. God demanded complete submission to Nebuchadnezzar's princes as the instrument of His judgment. This was not political advice but prophetic command—refusing meant defying God Himself.
Then thy soul shall live (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ)—God promised Zedekiah personal survival if he obeyed, echoing the Deuteronomic principle: obedience brings life, rebellion brings death (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). The stakes included not just Zedekiah's survival but Jerusalem's preservation from burning. Yet this weak king chose the approval of his officials over the explicit promise of God, a decision that would cost him everything (39:4-7).