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 21:9 ►

New International Version
Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians who are besieging you will live; they will escape with their lives.

New Living Translation
Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die from war, famine, or disease, but those who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will live. Their reward will be life!

English Standard Version
He who stays in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence, but he who goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have his life as a prize of war.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

New King James Version
He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him.

New American Standard Bible
Anyone who stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague; but anyone who leaves and goes over to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as plunder.

NASB 1995
“He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as booty.

NASB 1977
“He who dwells in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as booty.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who inhabits this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who goes out and falls away to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as spoil.

Amplified Bible
He who remains in this city [of Jerusalem] will die by the sword and by famine and by virulent disease. But he who goes outside and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and his life will be like a prize of war to him.

Christian Standard Bible
Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war.

American Standard Version
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he that goeth out, and passeth over to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

Contemporary English Version
The Babylonian army has surrounded Jerusalem, so if you want to live, you must go out and surrender to them. But if you want to die because of hunger, disease, or war, then stay here in the city.

English Revised Version
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those who live in this city will die in the war, famine, or plague. Those of you who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will live. You will escape with your lives.

Good News Translation
Anyone who stays in the city will be killed in war or by starvation or disease. But those who go out and surrender to the Babylonians, who are now attacking the city, will not be killed; they will at least escape with their life.

International Standard Version
Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, and by the plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live. He will save his life as a spoil of war.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Those who stay in this city will die in battle or of starvation or disease. Those who leave the city and surrender to the Babylonians who are besieging it will live. They will escape with their lives.

New Heart English Bible
He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he who goes out, and passes over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be to him for a prey.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be to him for a prey.

World English Bible
He who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out and passes over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he will live, and he will escape with his life.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Whoever is abiding in this city—dies, "" By sword, and by famine, and by pestilence, "" And whoever is going forth, "" And has fallen to the Chaldeans, "" Who are laying siege against you—lives, "" And his life has been for a spoil to him.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is abiding in this city -- dieth, By sword, and by famine, and by pestilence, And whoso is going forth, And hath fallen unto the Chaldeans, Who are laying siege against you -- liveth, And his life hath been to him for a spoil.

Smith's Literal Translation
He dwelling in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by death: and he going forth and falling to the Chaldeans pressing upon you, shall live, and his soul was to him for booty.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
He that shall abide in this city, shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that shall go out and flee over to the Chaldeans, that besiege you, shall live, and his life shall be to him as a spoil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever lives in this city will die by the sword, and by famine, and by pestilence. But whoever will have departed and fled away to the Chaldeans, who besiege you, will live, and his life will be to him like a spoil.

New American Bible
Whoever remains in this city shall die by the sword or famine or pestilence. But whoever leaves and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and escape with his life.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who stay in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but those who go out and surrender to the Chaldeans who are besieging you shall live and shall have their lives as a prize of war.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He who abides in this city shall die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence; but he who surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you, he shall live, and he shall save his life.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He who dwells in this city shall die by the sword, or with starvation, or with plague, and he who goes out to the Chaldeans who surround you, lives and saves himself

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; but he that goeth out, and falleth away to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that remains in this city shall die by the sword, and by famine: but he that goes forth to advance to the Chaldeans that have besieged you, shall live, and his life shall be to him for a spoil, and he shall live.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jerusalem will Fall to Babylon
…8Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9Whoever 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. 10For 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.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 38:2
“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.

Jeremiah 38:17-18
Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’”

Jeremiah 27:12-13
And to Zedekiah king of Judah I spoke the same message: “Put your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! / Why should you and your people die by sword and famine and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?

2 Kings 25:4-7
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. / The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. ...

2 Kings 24:10-12
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

Ezekiel 18:31-32
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Isaiah 1:19-20
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,

2 Chronicles 36:17-20
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, / who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. / Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. ...

Matthew 16:25
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 17:33
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.

Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Matthew 10:39
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Treasury of Scripture

He that stays in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goes out, and falls to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be to him for a prey.

that abideth.

Jeremiah 21:7
And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Jeremiah 27:18
But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

Jeremiah 38:2,17-23
Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live…

and his.

Jeremiah 38:2
Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.

Jeremiah 39:18
For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 45:5
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

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Jeremiah 21

1. Zedikiah sends to Jeremiah to enquire the event of Nebuchadnezzar's war.
3. Jeremiah foretells a hard siege and miserable captivity.
8. He counsels the people to fall to the Chaldeans;
11. and upbraids the King's house.

Berean Study Bible

Whoever stays in this city
This phrase refers to the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the time of the Babylonian siege. The Hebrew word for "stays" (יָשַׁב, yashab) implies dwelling or remaining. Historically, Jerusalem was under threat due to its disobedience to God, and the call to leave signifies a divine warning. The city, once a symbol of God's presence, had become a place of impending judgment due to the people's unfaithfulness.

will die by the sword, famine, and plague
These three calamities—sword, famine, and plague—are often mentioned together in the Old Testament as instruments of divine judgment (e.g., Ezekiel 5:12). The "sword" represents warfare and violence, "famine" indicates a severe lack of food, and "plague" suggests disease. Each of these is a consequence of the people's rebellion against God, highlighting the severity of their situation and the certainty of judgment for those who remain in defiance.

but whoever goes out and surrenders
The act of "going out" and "surrendering" (יָצָא, yatsa and נָפַל, naphal) is a call to humility and obedience. In the historical context, surrendering to the Chaldeans (Babylonians) was counterintuitive, as it meant submitting to a foreign power. However, this was God's directive through Jeremiah, symbolizing a path to life through submission to His will, even when it seems contrary to human wisdom.

to the Chaldeans who besiege you
The "Chaldeans" were the Babylonians, a dominant empire used by God as an instrument of judgment against Judah. The siege was a physical manifestation of God's discipline. Understanding the Chaldeans' role in biblical history is crucial, as they were not just political adversaries but also part of God's sovereign plan to bring His people back to repentance.

will live and retain his life like a spoil of war
The promise of life "like a spoil of war" (שָׁלָל, shalal) is a powerful metaphor. In ancient times, spoils of war were the rewards taken by victors. Here, life itself is depicted as a prize, emphasizing the grace and mercy available to those who heed God's warning. This phrase underscores the theme of redemption and the possibility of restoration even amidst judgment, pointing to God's ultimate desire for His people's repentance and survival.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) And falleth to the Chaldeans.--The words must have seemed to the messengers to counsel treachery and desertion, and were remembered against the prophet in the taunt of Jeremiah 37:13. They were, however, acted on by not a few (Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 52:15).

His life shall be unto him for a prey.--The phrase is characteristic of Jeremiah, and forcibly illustrates the misery of the time. Life itself was not a secure possession, but as the spoil which a man seizes on the field of battle, and with which he hastens away, lest another should deprive him of it. It occurs again in Jeremiah 39:18; Jeremiah 45:5. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - He that abideth in this city, etc. No doubt Jeremiah often gave this counsel to his fellow-citizens (comp. Jeremiah 38:1, 17), and it appears from Jeremiah 38:19; Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 52:15, that many of the Jews acted in accordance with it. Falleth; more distinctly, falleth away (as Jeremiah 37:14, Authorized Version); i.e. goeth over to.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Whoever stays
הַיֹּשֵׁב֙ (hay·yō·šêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in this
הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

city
בָּעִ֣יר (bā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

will die
יָמ֕וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

by sword
בַּחֶ֖רֶב (ba·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and famine
וּבָרָעָ֣ב (ū·ḇā·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

and plague,
וּבַדָּ֑בֶר (ū·ḇad·dā·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1698: A pestilence

but whoever goes out
וְהַיּוֹצֵא֩ (wə·hay·yō·w·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and surrenders
וְנָפַ֨ל (wə·nā·p̄al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Chaldeans
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֜ים (hak·kaś·dîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

who besiege
הַצָּרִ֤ים (haṣ·ṣā·rîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6696: To confine, bind, besiege

you
עֲלֵיכֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

will live
וְחָיָ֔ה (wə·ḥā·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

and retain
וְהָֽיְתָה־ (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

his life
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

like a spoil of war.
לְשָׁלָֽל׃ (lə·šā·lāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 21:9 He who remains in this city shall (Jer.)