Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why was Jeremiah accused of desertion during the siege of Jerusalem?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Painting by Rembrandt van Rijn showing Jeremiah sitting in a dimly lit cave, head resting on his hand in sorrow, with Jerusalem burning in the background. — Jeremiah *Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem*, oil on panel by Rembrandt, 1630: in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

During the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, the prophet Jeremiah was accused of desertion because he attempted to leave the city to travel to the land of the tribe of Benjamin.1

This incident occurred when the Babylonian siege was temporarily lifted due to the approach of an Egyptian force. Throughout the conflict, Jeremiah had been a vocal advocate for submission to the Neo-Babylonian empire, which he maintained was the will of God. Because his message was deeply unpopular with the military and those favoring rebellion, his attempt to depart during the temporary lull in fighting was interpreted by royal officials and Jewish notables as an act of desertion to the enemy. Following this accusation, he was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually placed in an abandoned cistern.123