Jeremiah 37:5-8

5 1The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when 2the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, 3they withdrew from Jerusalem.
6 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet:
7 "Thus says the LORD, God of Israel: Thus shall you say to the king of Judah who 4sent you to me to inquire of me, 'Behold, 5Pharaoh's army that came to help you is about to 6return to Egypt, to its own land.
8 And 7the Chaldeans shall come back and fight against this city. 8They shall capture it and burn it with fire.

Jeremiah 37:5-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 37

This chapter makes mention of the reign of Zedekiah, and what happened in it; of his message to Jeremiah, to pray for the kingdom; of the king of Babylonian's raising the siege of Jerusalem, on hearing the king of Egypt was coming to its relief; of the assurance the prophet gave that the Chaldean army would return again, and destroy the city; of the prophet's attempt to depart the city, his imprisonment, conversation with Zedekiah, and his clemency to him. A short account is given of Zedekiah, and of the disobedience of him and his people to the word of the Lord, Jer 37:1,2; of the message sent by him to the prophet to pray for them, Jer 37:3; the time, when Jeremiah was at liberty, and the siege of Jerusalem was raised, Jer 37:4,5; the prophet's answer to them from the Lord, assuring them the Chaldeans would return and burn the city, Jer 37:6-10; the prophet attempting to go out of the city is stopped, and charged as a deserter to the Chaldeans; is had before the princes, and beat and imprisoned, Jer 37:11-15; but the king sending for him out of prison, and having some private discourse with him, upon the prophet's expostulation and intercession, his confinement was mitigated, and bread allowed him, Jer 37:16-21.

Cross References 8

  • 1. [Ezekiel 17:15]
  • 2. Jeremiah 32:2
  • 3. ver. 11; Jeremiah 34:21
  • 4. [Jeremiah 21:2]
  • 5. [Ezekiel 29:2, 6]
  • 6. [Jeremiah 46:17; 2 Kings 24:7; Lamentations 4:17]
  • 7. Jeremiah 34:22
  • 8. Jeremiah 34:22
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.