King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 8:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 8:3 in the King James Version says “And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Jeremiah 8:3 · KJV

Context

1

At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves:

2

And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.

3

And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts.

4

Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?

5

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Read Jeremiah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse pronounces a chilling verdict: 'death shall be chosen rather than life.' The Hebrew maveth yibbachar mechayyim (מָוֶת יִבָּחַר מֵחַיִּים) indicates that surviving exile would be so miserable that death would seem preferable. The phrase 'all the residue of them that remain of this evil family' refers to exiled survivors of judgment. Their scattering 'in all the places whither I have driven them' emphasizes divine agency—God Himself drove them into exile. The phrase 'saith the LORD of hosts' (neum YHWH Tseva'ot) adds prophetic authority. This anticipates Jeremiah's later counsel to the exiles (chapter 29) to build lives in Babylon, acknowledging their long captivity while trusting God's ultimate restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian exile (605-538 BC) scattered Judeans across the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Historical records and archaeological evidence confirm Jewish communities in Babylon proper, Egypt (Elephantine papyri), and other locations. The exile's psychological trauma is captured in Psalm 137's lament. Many who survived Jerusalem's destruction wished they had died in the siege rather than face the horrors of exile, starvation, and separation from their homeland and temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this judgment reveal the true cost of persistent rebellion against God?
  2. What hope does the phrase 'whither I have driven them' offer, suggesting God's sovereign control even in judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְנִבְחַ֥ר1 of 19

“shall be chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

מָ֙וֶת֙2 of 19

“And death”

H4194

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

מֵֽחַיִּי֔ם3 of 19

“rather than life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

לְכֹ֗ל4 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשְּׁאֵרִית֙5 of 19

“by all the residue”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙6 of 19

“of them that remain”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

מִן7 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֥ה8 of 19

“family”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

הָֽרָעָ֖ה9 of 19

“of this evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּ֑את10 of 19
H2063

this (often used adverb)

בְּכָל11 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמְּקֹמ֤וֹת12 of 19

“in all the places”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙13 of 19

“of them that remain”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 19
H834

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

הִדַּחְתִּ֣ים15 of 19

“whither I have driven”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

שָׁ֔ם16 of 19
H8033

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

נְאֻ֖ם17 of 19

“them saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֥ה18 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאֽוֹת׃19 of 19

“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

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 8:3 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 8:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 9:6Jeremiah 29:14Jeremiah 23:8Jeremiah 23:3Job 7:15-16Deuteronomy 30:4

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