King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 27:13 Mean?
“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
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryWhy 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.
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
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
- Why does God ask 'Why will ye die?' rather than simply pronouncing judgment, and what does this reveal about His heart?
- How does this passage demonstrate that God's warnings of judgment are acts of mercy, giving opportunity to repent?
- What 'deaths' might we be choosing through disobedience, and how is God calling us to choose life instead?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 18 wordsלָ֤מָּה1 of 18
H4100properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וְעַמֶּ֔ךָ4 of 18
“thou and thy people”
H5971a 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”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙8 of 18
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר9 of 18
“hath spoken”
H1696perhaps 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
הַגּ֕וֹי12 of 18
“against the nation”
H1471a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 18
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא14 of 18
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲבֹ֖ד15 of 18
“that will not serve”
H5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת16 of 18
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּבֶֽל׃18 of 18
“of Babylon”
H894babel (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