King James Version
“Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live .”
Jeremiah 38:2 · KJV
Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live .
Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. welfare: Heb. peace
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
“He that remaineth”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
“in this city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
“by the sword”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
“but he that goeth forth”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
“to the Chaldeans”
H3778a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
“and shall live”
H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“for he shall have his life”
H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
“and shall live”
H2421to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
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.
Jeremiah 38:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Jeremiah 38:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge