Jeremiah 37:5-7
The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: “Thus says the LORD, God of Israel: Thus shall you say to the king of Judah who sent you to me to inquire of me, ‘Behold, Pharaoh’s army that came to help you is about to return to Egypt, to its own land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to see this as just a military maneuver, but notice that the Chaldean army departed from Jerusalem when they heard the Egyptians were coming. This wasn't a full-blown battle; the siege was temporarily lifted because of the news of the approaching Egyptian forces, creating a brief window of opportunity.
King Zedekiah, in his rebellion against Babylon, had sought aid from Egypt. When the Babylonian army besieging Jerusalem heard that Pharaoh's forces were advancing, they temporarily withdrew from the city to confront this new threat. This lull in the siege offered a brief, deceptive moment of hope for Jerusalem, though Jeremiah knew it wouldn't last.
Imagine the sheer relief! The enemy at your gates suddenly retreats. For a moment, Jerusalem must have felt safe, a temporary reprieve in the face of overwhelming odds.
This verse describes a critical moment where external forces dramatically shift the immediate circumstances.
The Egyptian Intervention
Pharaoh's army, a powerful force from Egypt, marched towards Jerusalem. This wasn't just a small contingent; it was a significant military movement. The scholars mention this was likely Pharaoh Hophra (also known as Apries), a ruler of Egypt at that time.
Chaldean Retreat
Upon hearing news of the approaching Egyptian army, the Babylonian (Chaldean) forces besieging Jerusalem made a strategic withdrawal. This wasn't a surrender or a defeat for the Chaldeans, but a tactical decision to face the new threat from Egypt. For the people of Jerusalem, this sudden lifting of the siege must have felt like a miracle, a moment of unexpected deliverance.
Even as the city breathes a sigh of relief, God's prophet delivers a stark message. The immediate danger may have passed, but the ultimate outcome remains unchanged.
While the Chaldean army temporarily withdrew, Jeremiah's message from God cuts through any self-congratulatory or hopeful feelings the people might have had.
The Prophecy of Return
Jeremiah was sent by King Zedekiah to inquire of the Lord. The king, despite his previous rebellion, sought divine counsel. However, the message he received was not one of permanent safety. God declared through Jeremiah that Pharaoh's army, which came to their aid, would "return to Egypt into their own land."
The Inevitable Siege
Crucially, God also stated that the Chaldeans "shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire." This means the relief was temporary, a brief pause before the inevitable judgment. The alliance with Egypt, which seemed like a lifeline, would ultimately prove futile.
Understand the original words
kaśdîm · Hebrew Proper Noun (plural)
Referring to the people of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who were the instrument of God's judgment against Jerusalem and Judah during this historical period. They are often depicted in Scripture as a fierce and irresistible military force.
ṣûr · Hebrew Verb
A state of military blockade intended to capture a city by cutting off its supplies and resources. In the prophetic tradition, it is frequently portrayed as a consequence of national apostasy and divine judgment.
dabar YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The self-revealing communication of God to humanity, often mediated through prophets, intended to convey His will, judgment, or promises. It is considered authoritative and efficacious, meaning it always accomplishes the purpose for which it was sent.
This verse captures a pivotal, yet ultimately deceptive, moment during the siege of Jerusalem. The arrival of the Egyptian army offered a false hope, revealing Zedekiah's reliance on human alliances rather than trusting God's word through Jeremiah.
c. 605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonian army decisively defeats the Egyptian forces, establishing Babylonian dominance over the region. This event marks a significant shift in power and sets the stage for future Babylonian influence over Judah.
597 BC
First Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens to Babylon. He then installs Zedekiah as king in Judah, who swears an oath of allegiance to Babylon.
c. 590–570 BC
Pharaoh Hophra Reigns in Egypt
Pharaoh Hophra (also known as Apries) rules Egypt. He would later attempt to challenge Babylonian power in the region, including an intervention related to Judah.
c. 589-588 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar II lays siege to Jerusalem as King Zedekiah rebels against Babylonian rule. The city faces starvation and dire conditions as it is cut off from supplies.
This passage details Zedekiah's covenant with Babylon and his subsequent rebellion, providing the political backdrop for why Egypt would intervene and the Chaldeans would besiege Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 44:30This verse names Pharaoh Hophra and predicts his downfall, hinting at the ultimate futility of Egypt's military efforts and the people's misplaced trust in it.
Isaiah 31:1This prophetic warning against seeking help from Egypt, emphasizing their reliance on horses and chariots rather than the Lord, directly speaks to the flawed strategy of Zedekiah's kingdom.
Jeremiah 37:11-12This immediately following passage shows Jeremiah being released from prison due to the Chaldean withdrawal, illustrating the direct impact of the army's movement on the prophet's circumstances.
2 Kings 24:10-16This provides the broader context of the Babylonian captivity, showing that this siege and the temporary relief were part of God's judgment and discipline upon Judah for their sin.
pooleJeremiah 37:5: "Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem."
Zedekiah was set up by the king of Babylon, instead of Jehoiachin, whom the king of Babylon had carried into Babylon. Zedekiah (as is usual in those cases, and as it appeareth, Ezekiel 17:16 ) had taken an oath of allegiance to the king of Babylon, but brake it, and the covenant which he made with him, Jeremiah 37:16 and, Jeremiah…
barnesJeremiah 37:5: "Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem."
Then - And. Pharaoh-Hophra Jeremiah 44:30 , the Apries of Herodotus, probably withdrew without giving Nebuchadnezzar battle. After a reign of 25 years, he was dethroned by Amasis, but allowed to inhabit his palace at Sais, where finally he was strangled.
It's easy to see this as just a military maneuver, but notice that the Chaldean army departed from Jerusalem when they heard the Egyptians were coming. This wasn't a full-blown battle; the siege was temporarily lifted because of the news of the approaching Egyptian forces, creating a brief window of opportunity.
King Zedekiah, in his rebellion against Babylon, had sought aid from Egypt. When the Babylonian army besieging Jerusalem heard that Pharaoh's forces were advancing, they temporarily withdrew from the city to confront this new threat. This lull in the siege offered a brief, deceptive moment of hope for Jerusalem, though Jeremiah knew it wouldn't last.
King Zedekiah, in his rebellion against Babylon, had sought aid from Egypt. When the Babylonian army besieging Jerusalem heard that Pharaoh's forces were advancing, they temporarily withdrew from the city to confront this new threat. This lull in the siege offered a brief, deceptive moment of hope for Jerusalem, though Jeremiah knew it wouldn't last.
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Elohey Yisrael · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title emphasizing God's unique covenantal relationship with the descendants of Jacob; it highlights His sovereignty, protection, and the spiritual authority He exercises over His chosen people.
c. 588 BC— this verse
Egyptian Army Marches to Aid Jerusalem
The army of Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt advances toward Jerusalem to relieve the siege. This news prompts the Babylonian forces to temporarily withdraw from the city to confront the approaching Egyptian threat.
c. 588 BC
Jerusalem's Hope Dashed
Despite the temporary withdrawal of the Chaldeans, Jeremiah prophesies that the Egyptian army will return to Egypt and that the Babylonians will ultimately return to capture and burn Jerusalem.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
The Babylonians return, breach the walls, and conquer Jerusalem, burning the city and its temple. A final wave of exiles is deported to Babylon, marking the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
"The army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt. And when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news about them, they withdrew from Jerusalem. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: “Thus says the LORD, God of Israel:…" — It's easy to see this as just a military maneuver, but notice that the Chaldean army departed from Jerusalem when they heard the Egyptians were coming. This wasn't a full-blown battle; the siege wa…
