And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
And afterward, says the LORD, I will hand over King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the people—whoever survives in this city after the plague, war, and famine—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will strike them down with the sword and will show no mercy, pity, or compassion.
God is warning that after Jerusalem survives initial disasters, He will deliver the survivors—including the king—into the hands of their enemies who will show no mercy.
📚 Historical Context
This prophecy was given during the final siege of Jerusalem by Babylon around 588-586 BC. King Zedekiah had rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar despite Jeremiah's warnings, and the city was experiencing the horrors of siege warfare including disease, starvation, and death. Jeremiah was delivering God's message that surrender was the only path to survival, but even then, judgment would come upon the leadership.
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