Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version And this is what the LORD says: ‘This city will certainly be given into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’” New Living Translation The LORD also says: ‘The city of Jerusalem will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’” English Standard Version Thus says the LORD: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and be taken.” Berean Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.” King James Bible Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. New King James Version Thus says the LORD: ‘This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon’s army, which shall take it.’ ” New American Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.’” NASB 1995 “Thus says the LORD, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.’” NASB 1977 “Thus says the LORD, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.’” Legacy Standard Bible Thus says Yahweh, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the military force of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.’” Amplified Bible Thus says the LORD, ‘This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will take it.’” Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: ‘This city will most certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon’s army, and he will capture it.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD says: ‘This city will most certainly be handed over to the king of Babylon’s army, and he will capture it.’” American Standard Version Thus saith Jehovah, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it. English Revised Version Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it. GOD'S WORD® Translation "This is what the LORD says: This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, and it will capture the city." Good News Translation I was also telling them that the LORD had said, "I am going to give the city to the Babylonian army, and they will capture it." International Standard Version This is what the LORD says: 'This city will surely be given to the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.'" NET Bible They had also heard him say, "The LORD says, 'This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon. They will capture it.'" New Heart English Bible Thus says the LORD, 'This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.'" Webster's Bible Translation Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThis is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.” World English Bible Yahweh says, ‘This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will take it.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThus said YHWH: This city is certainly given into the hand of the force of the king of Babylon, and he has captured it.” Young's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah: This city is certainly given into the hand of the force of the king of Babylon, and he hath captured it.' Smith's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah, Being given, this city shall be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babel, and he took it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThus saith the Lord: This city shall surely be delivered into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it. Catholic Public Domain Version Thus says the Lord: This city will certainly be delivered into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.” New American Bible Thus says the LORD: This city shall certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon; he shall capture it. New Revised Standard Version Thus says the LORD, This city shall surely be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon and be taken. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus says the LORD, This city shall surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, which shall take it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘This city shall be handed over into the hand of the army of the King of Babel and he shall enslave it!’” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus saith the LORD: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.' Brenton Septuagint Translation For thus saith the Lord; This city shall certainly be delivered into the hands of the host of the king of Babylon, and they shall take it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Cast Into the Cistern…2“This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live. 3This is what the LORD says: This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.” 4Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”… Cross References Jeremiah 21:10 For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it with fire.’ Jeremiah 32:3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him, saying: “Why are you prophesying like this? You claim that the LORD says, ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. Jeremiah 34:2 The LORD, the God of Israel, told Jeremiah to go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him that this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. Jeremiah 37:17 Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” Jeremiah 39:16-18 “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes. / But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear. / For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’” Jeremiah 21:7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ Jeremiah 32:28-29 Therefore this is what the LORD says: Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will capture it. / And the Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come in, set it on fire, and burn it, along with the houses of those who provoked Me to anger by burning incense to Baal on their rooftops and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods. Jeremiah 34:22 Behold, I am going to give the command, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 21:9 Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. Jeremiah 27:6 So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. Jeremiah 29:16-17 this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile— / this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I will send against them sword and famine and plague, and I will make them like rotten figs, so bad they cannot be eaten. Jeremiah 32:4-5 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye. / He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, where he will stay until I attend to him, declares the LORD. If you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.’” Jeremiah 34:3 And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon. Jeremiah 37:6-10 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: / “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt. / Then the Chaldeans will return and fight against this city. They will capture it and burn it down. ... Jeremiah 39:1-3 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. / Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. Treasury of Scripture Thus said the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. Jeremiah 21:10 For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire. Jeremiah 32:3-5 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it; … Jump to Previous Army Babylon Babylon's Capture Captured City Force Hand Handed Hands SurelyJump to Next Army Babylon Babylon's Capture Captured City Force Hand Handed Hands SurelyJeremiah 38 1. Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.7. Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement. 14. Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life. 24. By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes. This is what the LORD says: This phrase emphasizes the divine authority behind the message. In the context of Jeremiah, the prophet often begins his declarations with this phrase to assert that the message is not his own but from God. This underscores the role of prophets as God's mouthpieces. The phrase is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God communicates His will and intentions through chosen individuals. This city will surely be delivered into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon: and he will capture it.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will through the prophets. 3. The City Refers to Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, which is under threat from Babylonian forces. 4. The King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar II, the ruler of the Babylonian Empire, who is used by God as an instrument of judgment against Judah. 5. The Army of Babylon The military force that besieges and eventually captures Jerusalem, fulfilling God's prophecy through Jeremiah. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod is sovereign over nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, even in judgment. This should remind us of His ultimate control over world events. The Consequences of Disobedience The fall of Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience to God’s commands. It calls us to examine our own lives for areas of unrepentant sin. The Role of the Prophet Jeremiah’s role highlights the importance of faithfully delivering God’s message, regardless of opposition or personal cost. We are called to be faithful witnesses in our own contexts. Hope Beyond Judgment While this passage speaks of judgment, the broader account of Scripture assures us of God’s redemptive plan. Even in judgment, God’s ultimate purpose is restoration and hope. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 38:3?2. How does Jeremiah 38:3 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and leaders? 3. What can we learn about obedience to God from Jeremiah's message in 38:3? 4. How does Jeremiah 38:3 connect with God's promises in Jeremiah 29:11? 5. How should we respond when God's message is unpopular, as in Jeremiah 38:3? 6. What actions can we take to trust God's plans, as seen in Jeremiah 38:3? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Jeremiah 38:3? 8. How does Jeremiah 38:3 reflect God's sovereignty over nations? 9. Why was Jeremiah's message in 38:3 considered treasonous by his contemporaries? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38? 11. Why does Jeremiah's 70-year prophecy about the Babylonian exile not match historical timelines? 12. In Jeremiah 29:4-7, how can God instruct his people to settle peacefully in a pagan land while other passages command separation from foreign nations? 13. Revelation 18:10 - How does the city's destruction 'in one hour' align with or contradict other biblical texts about judgment events? 14. (Psalm 147:2) The text references rebuilding Jerusalem--what evidence exists that this rebuilding happened precisely as described, and does the historical record match the biblical timeline? What Does Jeremiah 38:3 Mean This is what the LORD says• Jeremiah is not voicing an opinion; he conveys a direct word from God, echoing the prophet’s call in Jeremiah 1:9 where the LORD placed His words in Jeremiah’s mouth. • The phrase underscores God’s sovereign right to judge and His faithfulness to announce that judgment beforehand (Amos 3:7). • By prefacing with divine authority, Jeremiah removes any doubt about the message’s certainty, as he had done earlier in Jeremiah 7:1-2 when he stood at the temple gate. This city will surely be delivered • “This city” refers to Jerusalem, the heart of Judah’s religious and political life. • The adverb “surely” signals inevitability—God’s decree will not be overturned (Jeremiah 21:10, “I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good”). • God had offered repeated chances for repentance (Jeremiah 26:13), yet persistent rebellion now makes deliverance into enemy hands a settled matter. Into the hands of the army of the king of Babylon • The LORD names the instrument of judgment: Nebuchadnezzar’s forces. This mirrors earlier warnings in Jeremiah 25:9, where Babylon is called God’s “servant” to execute discipline. • Babylon’s army, well-known for siege warfare, represents overwhelming power that Judah cannot match (2 Kings 25:1). • God’s choice of a pagan nation highlights His control over all kingdoms (Daniel 2:21) and His willingness to use them to accomplish His purposes among His people. and he will capture it • The final outcome is unambiguous—Jerusalem will fall. History records this fulfillment in Jeremiah 39:2, when the walls were breached, and in 2 Kings 25:4-10, describing the city’s destruction. • The certainty underscores the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). Persistent disobedience leads to tangible consequences, even for God’s covenant people. • Yet even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and a future hope (Jeremiah 29:11; 31:31-34), proving His discipline aims at eventual restoration, not annihilation. summary Jeremiah 38:3 delivers a concise, authoritative prophecy: God Himself decrees that Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon is inevitable. Each phrase underscores divine authority, the certainty of judgment, the chosen instrument (Babylon), and the assured capture of the city. The verse teaches that God’s word is absolute, rebellion invites real-world consequences, and even severe discipline fits within His larger plan to refine and ultimately restore His people. Hebrew This is whatכֹּ֖ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say This הַזֹּ֗את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, city הָעִ֣יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement will surely be handed over הִנָּתֹ֨ן (hin·nā·ṯōn) Verb - Nifal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 5414: To give, put, set to the army חֵ֥יל (ḥêl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength of the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king of Babylon, בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city and he will capture it.” וּלְכָדָֽהּ׃ (ū·lə·ḵā·ḏāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3920: To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere Links Jeremiah 38:3 NIVJeremiah 38:3 NLT Jeremiah 38:3 ESV Jeremiah 38:3 NASB Jeremiah 38:3 KJV Jeremiah 38:3 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 38:3 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 38:3 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 38:3 French Bible Jeremiah 38:3 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:3 Thus says Yahweh This city shall surely (Jer.) |
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