King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 21:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 21:9 in the King James Version says “He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live , and his life shall be unto him for a prey.”

Jeremiah 21:9 · KJV

Context

7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

8

And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.

9

He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live , and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

11

And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

Read Jeremiah 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God offers the besieged inhabitants of Jerusalem a stark choice: 'He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans...shall live.' This counsel was deeply controversial, viewed as treason by Jerusalem's leaders. Surrender to Babylon seemed like abandoning God's promises to defend Jerusalem. Yet Jeremiah insists God is actually fighting against Jerusalem (v. 5), making resistance futile and surrender the path to life.

This teaching overturns conventional wisdom that equates faith with fighting to the last man. Sometimes faith means accepting God's discipline and submitting to His ordained instrument of judgment. The way to preserve life was paradoxically to 'fall to' the enemy. Jesus later taught similar paradox: 'Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it' (Matthew 16:25). True wisdom discerns what God is doing and aligns with His purposes rather than resisting them.

The phrase 'his life shall be unto him for a prey' means he will escape with his life as one escapes a battle with plunder—barely, but successfully. This was fulfilled: those who followed Jeremiah's counsel (including Daniel and other exiles) survived and eventually prospered in Babylon. Those who resisted faced death during Jerusalem's fall. Knowing when to fight and when to submit to God's discipline requires spiritual discernment that comes only through knowing God's word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle came during the final Babylonian siege (588-586 BC). King Zedekiah ignored Jeremiah's counsel and tried to resist, resulting in catastrophic defeat. The city was destroyed, the temple burned, thousands died, and Zedekiah was captured, blinded, and imprisoned. Those who had heeded Jeremiah's 'treasonous' advice by surrendering to the Babylonians were spared and eventually returned to rebuild Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we discern when God calls us to fight versus when He calls us to submit to difficult circumstances?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between faith and wisdom in making difficult decisions?
  3. In what ways might submitting to God's discipline (rather than resisting it) preserve our spiritual life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הַיֹּשֵׁב֙1 of 18

“He that abideth”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּעִ֣יר2 of 18

“in this city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַזֹּ֔את3 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

יָמ֕וּת4 of 18

“shall die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בַּחֶ֖רֶב5 of 18

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּבָרָעָ֣ב6 of 18

“and by the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבַדָּ֑בֶר7 of 18

“and by the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

וְהַיּוֹצֵא֩8 of 18

“but he that goeth out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְנָפַ֨ל9 of 18

“and falleth”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל10 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֜ים11 of 18

“to the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

הַצָּרִ֤ים12 of 18

“that besiege”

H6696

to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)

עֲלֵיכֶם֙13 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְחָיָ֔ה14 of 18

“you he shall live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

וְהָֽיְתָה15 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לּ֥וֹ16 of 18
H0
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ17 of 18

“and his life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְשָׁלָֽל׃18 of 18

“shall be unto him for a prey”

H7998

booty

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 21:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 21:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 38:2Jeremiah 39:18Jeremiah 45:5Jeremiah 38:17-23Jeremiah 14:12Jeremiah 21:7

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 21 →

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 21 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes