Jeremias 38:17

17 an abiding for thy children.

Jeremias 38:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 38:17

Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah
Being thus indemnified and secured by the king's word and oath, he proceeds freely to lay before the king the whole matter as from the Lord: thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel;
the prophet does not give the following advice in his own name, but in the name of the eternal Jehovah, the Lord of armies above and below, and who had a special regard to the people of Israel, and their welfare; and therefore it became the king to show the more regard unto it: if thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes;
the generals of his army, whose names are mentioned, ( Jeremiah 39:3 ) ; the king not being with his army at this time, but at Riblah, ( Jeremiah 39:5 ) ; the meaning is, if he would open the gates of Jerusalem, and go forth from thence to the Chaldean army, and surrender himself and the city into the hands of the princes in it, and general officers of it: then thy soul shall live;
in thy body, and not be separated from it; or live comfortably, in peace and safety, though not in so much splendour and glory as he had done: and this city shall not be burned with fire;
as had been threatened; and as the Chaldeans would be provoked to do, should it hold out to the last extremity; but should preserve it upon a surrender: and thou shall live, and thine house;
not only himself, but his wives and children, and servants.

Jeremias 38:17 In-Context

15 A voice was heard in Rama, of lamentation, and of weeping, and wailing; Rachel would not cease weeping for her children, because they are not.
16 Thus saith the Lord; Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thine eyes from thy tears: for their is a reward for thy works; and they shall return from the land of enemies.
17 an abiding for thy children.
18 I have heard the sound of Ephraim lamenting, , Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened; I as a calf was not taught: turn thou me, and I shall turn; for thou the Lord my God.
19 For after my captivity I repented; and after I knew, I groaned for the day of shame, and shewed thee that I bore reproach from my youth.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.