Jeremiah 38:23 Meaning and Explanation
“So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zedekiah will lose his family to captivity, will be captured by Babylon, and will bear responsibility for Jerusalem's destruction.
The Context of Jeremiah 38:23
Jeremiah completes the vision of judgment.
What Does Jeremiah 38:23 Mean?
The judgment is total and personal. Family separation, captivity, capture, and the burning of the holy city—all consequences that follow from Zedekiah's refusal to surrender. Yet the final phrase, 'thou shalt cause this city to be burned,' assigns moral responsibility to the king; his choice brings the fire.
This is not external punishment imposed arbitrarily but the outcome of decisions made. Jeremiah has offered a path to life; rejecting that path leads inexorably to these horrors. The prophet speaks not in anger but in sorrow, laying bare what divine foresight has already seen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 38:23
What does Jeremiah 38:23 mean?
Zedekiah will lose his family to captivity, will be captured by Babylon, and will bear responsibility for Jerusalem's destruction.
What is the context of Jeremiah 38:23?
Jeremiah completes the vision of judgment.