Bible Strands
Jeremiah 35:11
So when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched into the land, we said: ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the armies of the Chaldeans and the Arameans.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A Rechabite clan member speaks directly to the prophet Jeremiah, recounting their collective decision to relocate to Jerusalem. He delivers this statement at the moment Nebuchadnezzar's armies begin their campaign against Judah.
The words — The term בַּ/עֲל֨וֹת (ba./'a.Lot) literally translates to "when came up," denoting the upward military march of the Babylonian king into the land.
The thread — The impulse to flee to fortified cities mirrors the panicked advice in Jeremiah 8:14 and aligns with the historical invasion detailed in 2 Kings 24:1.
Why it lands — The text records the Rechabites executing their ancestor's command to avoid military service and settle in Jerusalem. The reader must note their precise compliance with a human directive while the surrounding narrative prepares to contrast this with Judah's disobedience to divine commands.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 8:14 Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.
- 2 Kings 24:1 During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded. So Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
- Jeremiah 4:5 Announce in Judah, proclaim in Jerusalem, and say: “Blow the ram’s horn throughout the land. Cry aloud and say, ‘Assemble yourselves and let us flee to the fortified cities.’
- Daniel 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
- Mark 13:14 So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
- Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.