King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 38:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 38:17 in the King James Version says “Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go fo... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:

Jeremiah 38:17 · KJV


Context

15

Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?

16

So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

17

Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:

18

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

19

And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thou wilt assuredly go forth (יָצֹא תֵּצֵא)—The emphatic Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + verb) stresses the certainty and necessity of surrender. God demanded complete submission to Nebuchadnezzar's princes as the instrument of His judgment. This was not political advice but prophetic command—refusing meant defying God Himself.

Then thy soul shall live (nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ)—God promised Zedekiah personal survival if he obeyed, echoing the Deuteronomic principle: obedience brings life, rebellion brings death (Deuteronomy 30:15-20). The stakes included not just Zedekiah's survival but Jerusalem's preservation from burning. Yet this weak king chose the approval of his officials over the explicit promise of God, a decision that would cost him everything (39:4-7).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By 587 BC, Babylon had crushed Judah's Egyptian allies and tightened the siege. Surrender was militarily inevitable, but Zedekiah's pro-Egyptian court faction (the princes who opposed Jeremiah) insisted on resistance. Jeremiah's message aligned with political reality and divine decree: Babylon was God's chosen instrument of judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jeremiah's message reveal about God's sovereignty over pagan empires like Babylon?
  2. Why might Zedekiah find it harder to obey God's "shameful" command than to face certain destruction?
  3. How does this choice between God's way (surrender) and human pride (resistance) mirror spiritual decisions we face?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
אָמַ֣ר1 of 28

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִרְמְיָ֣הוּ2 of 28

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

אֶל3 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צִדְקִיָּ֡הוּ4 of 28

unto Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

כֹּֽה5 of 28
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר6 of 28

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֩7 of 28

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י8 of 28

the God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

צְבָא֜וֹת9 of 28

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י10 of 28

the God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל11 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אִם12 of 28
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תֵצֵ֜א13 of 28

If thou wilt assuredly

H3318

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

תֵצֵ֜א14 of 28

If thou wilt assuredly

H3318

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

אֶל15 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׂרֵ֤י16 of 28

princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֶֽלֶךְ17 of 28

unto the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶל֙18 of 28

of Babylon's

H894

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

וְחָיִ֖תָה19 of 28

and thou shalt live

H2421

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

נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ20 of 28

then thy soul

H5315

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

וְהָעִ֣יר21 of 28

and this city

H5892

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

הַזֹּ֔את22 of 28
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לֹ֥א23 of 28
H3808

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

תִשָּׂרֵ֖ף24 of 28

shall not be burned

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָּאֵ֑שׁ25 of 28

with fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וְחָיִ֖תָה26 of 28

and thou shalt live

H2421

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

אַתָּ֥ה27 of 28
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃28 of 28

and thine house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)


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 38:17 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 38:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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