King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 37:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 37:9 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depar...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart. yourselves: Heb. your souls”

Jeremiah 37:9 · KJV

Context

7

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.

8

And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.

9

Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart. yourselves: Heb. your souls

10

For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire. wounded: Heb. thrust through

11

And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army, broken: Heb. made to ascend

Read Jeremiah 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God warns against self-deception: 'Deceive not yourselves.' When Babylon temporarily withdrew, people thought judgment was averted. But God says even if they defeated all Babylon's army, leaving only wounded men, those wounded would rise and burn the city. This hyperbole emphasizes the certainty of God's decreed judgment. No human power can prevent what God has determined.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Egyptian army's approach had caused Babylon to lift the siege temporarily (37:5). People thought they were delivered, but God's purpose remained unchanged.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you guard against self-deception about spiritual realities?
  2. What does this teach about the certainty of God's declared purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 14
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֵאמֹ֔ר2 of 14

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 14

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אַל4 of 14
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תַּשִּׁ֤אוּ5 of 14

“Deceive”

H5377

to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce

נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶם֙6 of 14

“not yourselves”

H5315

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

לֵאמֹ֔ר7 of 14

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יֵלֵֽכוּ׃8 of 14

“shall surely”

H1980

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

יֵלֵֽכוּ׃9 of 14

“shall surely”

H1980

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

מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ10 of 14
H5921

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

הַכַּשְׂדִּ֑ים11 of 14

“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

כִּי12 of 14
H3588

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

לֹ֖א13 of 14
H3808

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

יֵלֵֽכוּ׃14 of 14

“shall surely”

H1980

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

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 37:9 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 37:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Obadiah 1:32 Thessalonians 2:3Jeremiah 29:8Matthew 24:4-5Galatians 6:3Galatians 6:7

Places in This Verse

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

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