King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:13 in the King James Version says “Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken agains...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?”

Jeremiah 27:13 · KJV

Context

11

But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.

12

I 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.

13

Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?

14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

15

For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. a lie: Heb. in a lie, or, lyingly

Read Jeremiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Why will ye die, thou and thy people—God's rhetorical question expresses both incredulity and pathos. The Hebrew lammah tamutu (לָמָּה תָמֻתוּ, why will you die?) echoes Ezekiel's similar plea: 'Why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth' (Ezekiel 18:31-32). God takes no delight in judgment; He urges His people to choose life. This reveals God's heart—not eager to punish but longing for repentance and obedience that brings blessing rather than curse.

By the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence—This triad (kherev, ra'av, dever; חֶרֶב רָעָב דֶּבֶר) appears throughout Jeremiah as covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28:21-26. These were not random calamities but specified consequences for covenant breaking. As the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon—The judgment is not arbitrary but 'spoken' (predetermined and announced). God's word establishes reality; when He declares consequences, they inevitably follow unless repentance intervenes. The passage demonstrates that human choices have real consequences within God's sovereign purposes. Zedekiah could choose life through obedience or death through rebellion, but he could not avoid the consequences of his choice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC) involved precisely these three judgments. Archaeological evidence and Lamentations describe horrific famine, with people eating their own children (Lamentations 4:10). Disease spread through the starving, crowded city. When Babylon finally breached the walls, sword-killed thousands. Jeremiah witnessed these horrors, having warned for decades that rebellion would bring exactly this outcome. The tragedy was entirely avoidable—Zedekiah could have surrendered at any point and been shown mercy (Jeremiah 38:17-18). His refusal to heed God's word through Jeremiah brought the very catastrophe the prophet had detailed: sword, famine, pestilence, destruction, and exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God ask 'Why will ye die?' rather than simply pronouncing judgment, and what does this reveal about His heart?
  2. How does this passage demonstrate that God's warnings of judgment are acts of mercy, giving opportunity to repent?
  3. What 'deaths' might we be choosing through disobedience, and how is God calling us to choose life instead?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לָ֤מָּה1 of 18
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תָמ֙וּתוּ֙2 of 18

“Why will ye die”

H4191

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

אַתָּ֣ה3 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְעַמֶּ֔ךָ4 of 18

“thou and thy people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בַּחֶ֖רֶב5 of 18

“by the sword”

H2719

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

בָּרָעָ֣ב6 of 18

“by the famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּבַדָּ֑בֶר֙7 of 18

“and by the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙8 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּ֣ר9 of 18

“hath spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֔ה10 of 18

“as the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל11 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַגּ֕וֹי12 of 18

“against the nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא14 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַעֲבֹ֖ד15 of 18

“that will not serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת16 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ17 of 18

“the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽל׃18 of 18

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 27:13 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 27:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 18:31Jeremiah 27:8Jeremiah 38:20Proverbs 8:36Ezekiel 18:24Jeremiah 38:2

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 27 →

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