King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 32:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 32:5 in the King James Version says “And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

Jeremiah 32:5 · KJV


Context

3

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

4

And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

5

And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

6

And Jeremiah said, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

7

Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum thine uncle shall come unto thee, saying, Buy thee my field that is in Anathoth: for the right of redemption is thine to buy it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Until I visit him (עַד־פָּקְדִי אֹתוֹ, ad-pokdi oto)—The verb paqad means to attend to, visit, punish, or care for. Zedekiah would remain in Babylon until God 'visited' him—likely a euphemism for death (he died in captivity). The ambiguity reflects judgment and mercy: God doesn't abandon but will 'attend to' even in exile.

Though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper (לֹא תַצְלִיחוּ, lo tatzlichu—not succeed). Resistance is futile when fighting against God's decreed judgment. The warning echoes 2 Chronicles 13:12 ('fight ye not against the LORD'). This isn't military pragmatism but theological realism: success (tsalach) comes from God alone (Psalm 1:3, Joshua 1:8). Without divine blessing, human effort is vanity—a lesson Israel repeatedly forgot.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zedekiah's alliance with Egypt (Jeremiah 37:5-7) temporarily lifted the siege, giving false hope. But as prophesied, the Babylonians returned and conquered (July 586 BC). Archaeological evidence shows massive destruction layers matching this period, with arrowheads and siege ramps confirming the biblical account.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you fought against God's clear direction and experienced the futility Jeremiah describes?
  2. How does understanding that God sovereignly grants 'success' change your approach to work and ministry?
  3. What's the difference between godly perseverance and stubborn resistance to God's revealed will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וּבָבֶ֞ל1 of 17

to Babylon

H894

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

יוֹלִ֤ךְ2 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶת3 of 17
H853

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

צִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙4 of 17

Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

וְשָׁ֣ם5 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

יִֽהְיֶ֔ה6 of 17
H1961

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

עַד7 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

פָּקְדִ֥י8 of 17

and there shall he be until I visit

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֹת֖וֹ9 of 17
H853

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

נְאֻם10 of 17

him saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 17

the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֧י12 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִֽלָּחֲמ֛וּ13 of 17

though ye fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

אֶת14 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים15 of 17

with 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

לֹ֥א16 of 17
H3808

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

תַצְלִֽיחוּ׃17 of 17

ye shall not prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)


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 32:5 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 32:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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