Jeremiah 38:18

18 But if you don't surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians. They 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 secretly swore an oath to Jeremiah, "The LORD gave us life. As the LORD lives, I will not kill you or hand you over to these men who want to kill you."

17 Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, you will live, and this city will not be burned. You and your household will live.

18 But if you don't surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians. They will burn it down, and you will not escape from them."

19 King Zedekiah answered Jeremiah, "I'm afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Babylonians. The Babylonians may hand me over to them, and they will torture me."

20 Jeremiah said, "You will not be handed over to them. Obey the LORD by doing what I'm telling you. Then everything will go well for you, and you will live.