Jeremiah 38:18

18 But if you do not surrender, then this city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will burn it down, and you will not escape from them."

Jeremiah 38:18 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 38:18

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's
princes
And surrender to them: then shall this city be given into the hands of the Chaldeans;
if not willingly delivered up by the king of Judah, it shall be forcibly taken by the king of Babylon's army, through the permission of God; with respect to whom it is said to be given unto them, even by him who has the disposing of cities and kingdoms: and they shall burn it with fire;
as it had been often foretold it should, and as it accordingly was, ( Jeremiah 39:8 ) ; and thou shalt not escape out of their hand;
though he might hope he should, and would attempt to do it, yet should be taken; and though he should not be slain, yet should never regain his liberty, or get out of their hands, when once in them; see ( Jeremiah 52:7-9 Jeremiah 52:11 ) .

Jeremiah 38:18 In-Context

16 So King Zedekiah promised me in secret, "I swear by the living God, the God who gave us life, that I will not put you to death or hand you over to the men who want to kill you."

17 Then I told Zedekiah that the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, had said, "If you surrender to the king of Babylonia's officers, your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down. Both you and your family will be spared.

18 But if you do not surrender, then this city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will burn it down, and you will not escape from them."

19 But the king answered, "I am afraid of our own people who have deserted to the Babylonians. I may be handed over to them and tortured."

20 I said, "You will not be handed over to them. I beg you to obey the Lord's message; then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared.