King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 43:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 43:11 in the King James Version says “And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for ca... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.

Jeremiah 43:11 · KJV


Context

9

Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

10

And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

11

And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.

12

And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

13

He shall break also the images of Bethshemesh, that is in the land of Egypt; and the houses of the gods of the Egyptians shall he burn with fire. images: Heb. statues, or, standing images Bethshemesh: or, The house of the sun


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt (וּבָא וְהִכָּה אֶת־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם)—'he' refers to Nebuchadnezzar (v. 10), whose Judean campaign would extend to Egypt. The verb nakah (נָכָה, smite) is warfare terminology, predicting Babylon's 568/7 BC Egyptian campaign (fulfilled per Babylonian chronicles and Egyptian records of Pharaoh Amasis's troubles). What the remnant fled from in Judah follows them to their 'safe' refuge.

And deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword—threefold sorting echoes 15:2, where God predetermined individuals' fates according to covenant judgment. Hebrew repeats each noun twice (death to death, captivity to captivity, sword to sword), emphasizing inescapable divine decree. The remnant sought Egypt to escape these very fates—ironic reversal shows no human strategy circumvents God's declared purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in his 37th year (568/7 BC), documented in Babylonian chronicles. Pharaoh Hophra (Apries), who'd encouraged Judah's rebellion, was eventually killed by Amasis (570 BC) during internal conflict linked to Babylonian pressure. Jeremiah's prophecy (vv. 8-13) used symbolic actions (burying stones at Pharaoh's palace entrance) to authenticate prediction—fulfilled within Jeremiah's likely lifetime.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse demonstrate that fleeing God's will only leads to meeting His judgment elsewhere?
  2. What does the threefold division (death/captivity/sword) teach about God's sovereignty over individual destinies even in corporate judgment?
  3. When have you seen attempted shortcuts or escapes from God's directive path lead to worse consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וּבָ֕אה1 of 14

And when he cometh

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְהִכָּ֖ה2 of 14

he shall smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת3 of 14
H853

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

אֶ֣רֶץ4 of 14

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם5 of 14

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁ֧ר6 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַמָּ֗וֶת7 of 14

and deliver such as are for death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

לַמָּ֗וֶת8 of 14

and deliver such as are for death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר9 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַשֶּׁ֔בִי10 of 14

and such as are for captivity

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

לַשֶּׁ֔בִי11 of 14

and such as are for captivity

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֶחָֽרֶב׃13 of 14

and such as are for the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לֶחָֽרֶב׃14 of 14

and such as are for the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement


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 43:11 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 43:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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