Discovery BoxJeremiah 27:13-15 
Context27:13 There is no reason why you and your people should die in war 1 or from starvation or disease! 2 That’s what the Lord says will happen to any nation 3 that will not be subject to the king of Babylon. 27:14 Do not listen to the prophets who are telling you that you do not need to serve 4 the king of Babylon. For they are prophesying lies to you. 27:15 For I, the Lord, affirm 5 that I did not send them. They are prophesying lies to you. If you 6 listen to them, I will drive you and the prophets who are prophesying lies out of the land and you will all die in exile.” 7
1 tn Heb “with/by the sword.”
2 tn Heb “Why should you and your people die…?” The rhetorical question expects the answer made explicit in the translation, “There is no reason!”
3 tn Heb “…disease according to what the
4 tn The verb in this context is best taken as a negative obligatory imperfect. See IBHS 508 §31.4g for discussion and examples. See Exod 4:15 as an example of positive obligation.
5 tn Heb “oracle of the
6 sn The verbs are again plural referring to the king and his royal advisers.
7 tn Heb “…drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying lies.”
sn For the fulfillment of this prophecy see Jer 39:5-7; 52:7-11; 2 Kgs 25:4-7.
