Jeremiah 38:3 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"Yahweh says, "This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will take it."""
Found near the beginning of the chapter, this verse lays the foundation for the themes ahead. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret Jeremiah 38:3 inside the chapter flow.
Jeremiah 38:1
Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah spoke to all the people, saying,
Jeremiah 38:2
"Yahweh says, "He who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live. He will escape with his life and he will live."
Jeremiah 38:3
Yahweh says, "This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will take it.""
Jeremiah 38:4
Then the princes said to the king, "Please let this man be put to death, because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words to them; for this man doesn"t seek the welfare of this people, but harm."
Jeremiah 38:5
Zedekiah the king said, "Behold, he is in your hand; for the king can"t do anything to oppose you."
Meaning and Themes
Jeremiah 38:3 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "surely" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after Jeremiah 38:3. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining Jeremiah 38:3 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read Jeremiah 38:3 — "Yahweh says, "This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will take it.""" — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read Jeremiah 38 in full. Mark where verse 3 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read Jeremiah 38:3 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did Jeremiah 38:3 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how Jeremiah 38:3 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn Jeremiah 38:3 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
RecommendedUse this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
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When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does Jeremiah 38:3 mean?
Jeremiah 38:3 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply Jeremiah 38:3 to my life today?
Start by reading Jeremiah 38:3 slowly: "Yahweh says, "This city will surely be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and h…" Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is Jeremiah 38:3 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read Jeremiah 38:3 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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