Jeremiah 38:18
But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִ֣ם
H518
וְאִ֣ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֵצֵ֗א
But if thou wilt not go forth
H3318
תֵצֵ֗א
But if thou wilt not go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon's
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon's
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
7 of 18
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְנִתְּנָ֞ה
be given
H5414
וְנִתְּנָ֞ה
be given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הָעִ֤יר
then shall this city
H5892
הָעִ֤יר
then shall this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מִיָּדָֽם׃
into the hand
H3027
מִיָּדָֽם׃
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
of the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
of the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
12 of 18
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 38:3Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.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.Jeremiah 38:23So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.Jeremiah 37:8And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.Ezekiel 12:13My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.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.
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence confirms massive destruction layers from 586 BC across Jerusalem, including burn layers and Babylonian arrowheads. The temple's destruction fulfilled prophecies from Jeremiah (7:14, 26:6) and other prophets. This catastrophe ended the Davidic monarchy and triggered the Babylonian exile.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's clear presentation of consequences demonstrate both His justice and mercy?
- What does the specificity of fulfilled prophecy (burning with fire) reveal about Scripture's reliability?
- Why do humans often choose the path leading to certain destruction rather than humble obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if thou wilt not go forth—The conditional introduces the alternative future: disobedience guarantees destruction. God's word through Jeremiah presented Zedekiah with clear binary options, removing any middle ground or negotiated compromise. This reflects covenant theology: blessing follows obedience, curse follows rebellion (Deuteronomy 28).
This city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire—The Hebrew saraph (שָׂרַף, "to burn") proved grimly prophetic. Nebuchadnezzar's forces did exactly this in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:8-9), destroying Solomon's temple and Jerusalem's walls. The prophecy's specificity—not just defeat but burning—demonstrated its divine origin. Zedekiah's refusal to surrender would make him personally responsible (thou shalt cause, v. 23) for Jerusalem's immolation.