But Baruch the son of Neriah setteth thee on against us, for to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they might put us to death, and carry us away captives into Babylon.

JEREMIAH 43:3KJV
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Jeremiah 43:3 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 43:3 mean?

Jeremiah 43:3 records an accusation against Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, claiming that he is influencing Jeremiah to speak against the people so they will be handed over to the Chaldeans, who might kill them or take them captive to Babylon. The verse shows the people's suspicion and distrust toward Jeremiah’s message, blaming Baruch for their fears.

In this verse, some of the leaders of the people are speaking to Jeremiah, accusing Baruch (the son of Neriah) of persuading Jeremiah to prophesy doom for them. The setting is after Jerusalem’s fall, when a remnant of Judah is deciding whether to flee to Egypt. Instead of trusting Jeremiah’s message from God, the people suspect a conspiracy, thinking Baruch wants to deliver them into the hands of the Chaldeans (Babylonians). This reveals their unwillingness to accept Jeremiah’s warnings and their tendency to blame others for their situation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 43:3

  • בָּרוּךְ (Baruch): This is the personal name of Jeremiah’s scribe, meaning “blessed.” Naming Baruch specifically shows the people’s distrust of those close to Jeremiah, not just Jeremiah himself.
  • בֶּן־נֵרִיָּה (ben-Neriyah): “Son of Neriah” identifies Baruch’s family, emphasizing that the accusation is pointed and personal.
  • כַּשְׂדִּים (Kasdim, “Chaldeans”): This word refers to the Babylonians, the empire that conquered Judah. The people’s fear of being delivered into their hands shows how much they dreaded Babylonian rule.
  • מָוֶת (mavet, “death”): This word highlights the people’s fear that Jeremiah’s message will lead to their destruction, not just exile.

Why Jeremiah 43:3 matters

  • Jeremiah 43:3 shows how deeply the people distrusted God’s message through Jeremiah, preferring to believe in a conspiracy rather than accept the possibility of judgment.
  • The verse highlights Baruch’s role and how even those close to Jeremiah were suspected of having hidden motives, which adds to the tension and drama of the narrative.
  • This accusation sets the stage for the people’s later decision to ignore Jeremiah’s warning and flee to Egypt, which becomes a key turning point in the story of Judah’s remnant.

Where else these words appear

“Neriah” Hebrew H5374 · used in 10 verses

  • Jeremiah 32:12 And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's son, and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.
  • Jeremiah 36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the LORD in the LORD'S house.
  • Jeremiah 43:6 Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.

“to” Hebrew H4616 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
  • Exodus 8:22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
  • 2 Kings 13:23 And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

“on” Hebrew H5496 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 13:6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
  • 1 Kings 21:25 But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

“Baruch” Hebrew H1263 · used in 24 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
  • Jeremiah 36:5 And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:
  • Jeremiah 36:18 Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.