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.
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. This prophetic oracle exemplifies Jeremiah's consistent message during Jerusalem's final siege: surrender brings survival; resistance brings death. The threefold judgment formula—"sword, famine, and pestilence"—recurs throughout Jeremiah (14:12; 21:7, 9; 24:10) as covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:21-22, 25-26).
The phrase "he shall have his life for a prey" (vehayetah-lo nafsho leshalal) uses military imagery—gaining one's life as war spoils. This paradoxical language (losing everything yet gaining life) anticipates Jesus' teaching: "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). Submission to God's revealed will, even when it appears to bring loss, actually preserves what matters most.
Theologically, this verse teaches:
God's sovereignty over historical events—He determines outcomes, not human military strategy
obedience to God's word brings life even when it contradicts human wisdom
covenant violations bring divine judgment through natural means (enemy armies)
God's mercy persists even in judgment—a way of escape remains for those who heed His word.
The Reformed doctrine of providence affirms God's control over political and military events to accomplish His purposes.
Historical Context
This prophecy came during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BCE). Military logic dictated resistance—surrender meant national extinction and personal humiliation. Yet Jeremiah declared God's will contradicted military wisdom. This placed him in an impossible position politically, appearing as a traitor to his nation while actually offering the only path to survival.
History vindicated Jeremiah completely. Jerusalem fell in 586 BCE after a brutal siege. Those who remained died by sword, famine, or disease; those who defected to Babylon survived. The archaeological record shows destruction layers from this period across Judean cities—Lachish, Azekah, and finally Jerusalem—confirming the biblical account. Jeremiah's contemporaries who rejected his counsel paid with their lives; the few who heeded survived. This demonstrates the practical wisdom of obeying God's word even when it defies conventional thinking.
Questions for Reflection
When has obeying God's clear word required you to act contrary to human wisdom or popular opinion?
How does the promise that obedience preserves 'life as prey' encourage faithfulness even when it seems costly?
In what ways does this passage challenge nationalistic or political loyalties that might conflict with God's revealed will?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. This prophetic oracle exemplifies Jeremiah's consistent message during Jerusalem's final siege: surrender brings survival; resistance brings death. The threefold judgment formula—"sword, famine, and pestilence"—recurs throughout Jeremiah (14:12; 21:7, 9; 24:10) as covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:21-22, 25-26).
The phrase "he shall have his life for a prey" (vehayetah-lo nafsho leshalal) uses military imagery—gaining one's life as war spoils. This paradoxical language (losing everything yet gaining life) anticipates Jesus' teaching: "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:25). Submission to God's revealed will, even when it appears to bring loss, actually preserves what matters most.
Theologically, this verse teaches:
The Reformed doctrine of providence affirms God's control over political and military events to accomplish His purposes.