Jeremiah 38:3

38:3 They had also heard him say, 1  “The Lord says, ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon. They will capture it.’” 2 

Jeremiah 39:17

39:17 But I will rescue you when it happens. 3  I, the Lord, affirm it! 4  You will not be handed over to those whom you fear. 5 

1 tn The words “They had also heard him say,” are not in the Hebrew text. They are supplied in the translation for clarity so as to avoid any possible confusion that might be created by saying merely “And the Lord says,” without any introduction.

2 sn See Jer 21:10; 32:28; 34:2; 37:8 for this same prophecy. Jeremiah had repeatedly said this or words to the same effect.

3 tn Heb “But I will rescue you on that day” (referring to the same day mentioned in the preceding verse).

4 tn Heb “Oracle of the Lord.”

5 sn Some commentators see this as a reference to the princes from whose clutches Ebed-Melech delivered Jeremiah (38:7-13). However, it is clear that in this context it refers to those that he would fear when the Lord brings about the threatened disaster, i.e., the Babylonians who are attacking the city.