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Jeremiah 38:2

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 38:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thus saith Jehovah, He that abideth 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, and his life shall be unto him for a prey, and he shall live.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thus saith Jehovah, He that abideth 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, and his life shall be unto him for a prey, and he shall live.
Jeremiah 38:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 38

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah, heard the words that Jeremiah spake unto all the people, saying,
2Thus saith Jehovah, He that abideth 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, and his life shall be unto him for a prey, and he shall live.
3Thus saith Jehovah, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.
4Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as 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.
5And Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand; for the king is not he that can do anything against you.
← Jeremiah 38:1Jeremiah 38:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thus saith the Lord, he that remaineth in this city, etc.] Of Jerusalem; that does not go out of it, and surrender himself to the Chaldeans; but continues in it fighting against them: shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence; that is, by one or other of these: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live: that goes out of the city, throws down his arms, delivers up himself to the Chaldean army, and submits to their mercy, shall have quarters given him, and his life shall be spared: for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live; or, “his soul, and it shall live”f711; comfortably and in safety; he shall escape with his life, and that shall be preserved from…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“life . . . a prey--He shall escape with his life; though losing all else in a shipwreck, he shall carry off his life as his gain, saved by his going over to the Chaldeans. (See on Jer 21:9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He: Jer 38:17-23, Jer 21:8, Jer 21:9, Jer 24:8, Jer 27:13, Jer 29:18, Jer 34:17, Jer 42:17, Jer 42:22, Jer 44:13; Eze 5:12-17, Eze 6:11, Eze 7:15, Eze 14:21; Mat 24:7, Mat 24:8; Rev 6:4-8 shall have: Jer 21:9, Jer 39:18, Jer 45:5 Jeremiah 38:3”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 38 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification