Jeremiah 38:23
So 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנֶ֗יךָ
and thy children
H1121
בָּנֶ֗יךָ
and thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֽוֹצִאִים֙
So they shall bring out
H3318
מֽוֹצִאִים֙
So they shall bring out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
to the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
to the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
8 of 22
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמָּלֵ֣ט
and thou shalt not escape out
H4422
תִמָּלֵ֣ט
and thou shalt not escape out
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
בְיַ֤ד
by the hand
H3027
בְיַ֤ד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 22
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
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְיַ֤ד
by the hand
H3027
בְיַ֤ד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 22
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
בָּבֶל֙
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶל֙
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
16 of 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ
but shalt be taken
H8610
תִּתָּפֵ֔שׂ
but shalt be taken
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
17 of 22
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֥יר
and thou shalt cause this city
H5892
הָעִ֥יר
and thou shalt cause this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
19 of 22
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Jeremiah 41:10Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.Jeremiah 39:6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.Jeremiah 38:18But 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.2 Kings 25:7And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
Historical Context
The capture and abuse of royal families was standard ancient Near Eastern practice, serving both to eliminate rival claimants to the throne and to humiliate the defeated king. Nebuchadnezzar executed Zedekiah's sons at Riblah, ensuring no Davidic heir could rally resistance, then blinded Zedekiah so the sight of his sons' execution would be his last memory (2 Kings 25:6-7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does making Zedekiah causally responsible for Jerusalem's burning emphasize the weight of leadership decisions?
- What does the ironic reversal (refusing to "go forth" leads to family being "brought forth" as captives) teach about consequences?
- How might this prophecy's specificity have served as a final plea for Zedekiah to obey before it was too late?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans—God's prophecy specified the capture of Zedekiah's entire family, a detail that proved tragically accurate. His sons were executed before his eyes, and he was blinded (39:6-7). The verb yatsa (יָצָא, "to bring out") ironically echoes verse 17's command that Zedekiah himself "go forth" to surrender. His refusal to go forth willingly guaranteed his family would be brought forth as captives.
Thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire—The causative Hebrew construction makes Zedekiah personally responsible for Jerusalem's destruction. Though Babylonian soldiers would light the fires, Zedekiah's disobedience would be the true cause. His one decision—refuse to surrender—would condemn the entire city. This crushing weight of responsibility makes his choice even more inexcusable: one man's pride would destroy thousands of lives.