And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword.

JEREMIAH 43:11KJV
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Jeremiah 43:11 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 43:11 mean?

Jeremiah 43:11 warns that when the invader arrives in Egypt, he will strike the land and assign people to their fates: some to die, some to be taken captive, and some to be killed by the sword. The verse describes a coming judgment where people will face different forms of disaster, depending on their destiny.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking about the coming invasion of Egypt, likely by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah is addressing the Jews who had fled to Egypt, warning them that they will not escape God's judgment by leaving Judah. The verse uses stark language to show that no one will be able to avoid what is coming—death, captivity, or violence will reach everyone according to their lot.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 43:11

  • "Cometh" (בּוֹא, bo): This word means "to come" or "to arrive." Here, it refers to the arrival of the invading force, emphasizing the certainty and approach of the threat.
  • "Smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This verb means "to strike" or "to hit." It conveys the idea of a forceful and destructive attack on Egypt, not just a minor blow.
  • "Death" (מָוֶת, mavet): This word simply means "death," but its repetition in the phrase "such as are for death to death" highlights the inevitability and finality of this fate for some.
  • "Captivity" (שְׁבִי, shevi): This term means "captivity" or "exile," pointing to those who will be taken away as prisoners rather than killed.
  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word means "sword," representing violent death in battle or execution, a common image for war and destruction in the Hebrew Bible.

Why Jeremiah 43:11 matters

  • Jeremiah 43:11 clarifies that fleeing to Egypt will not protect the people from the consequences God has decreed; judgment will reach them wherever they go.
  • The verse emphasizes that different people will face different outcomes—death, captivity, or violence—showing that no one is exempt from the consequences.
  • This warning ties into the larger message of Jeremiah that trusting in human plans or foreign alliances cannot replace trusting in God’s word and direction.

Where else these words appear

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 8:35 Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
  • Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.