In what way will the Lord make the people of Jerusalem “eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and eat the flesh of their neighbors”?
Laying siege to major cities was a common strategy in battle in Jeremiah’s day and on January 15, 588 BC, Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem until food ran out on July 18, 586 BC (2 Kings 25:1–7; Jeremiah 52:6; Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 4:10).1 The Lord speaks of this coming siege as being so severe that the people in the city will have to resort to cannibalism. The expression in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies and those who seek their life afflict them
strongly reflects the words of Deuteronomy 28:53, Deuteronomy 28:55, Deuteronomy 28:57 which speak of the covenant curses. Not only do we see again the strong influence of Deuteronomy on Jeremiah’s message, but it is also very clear that the judgment that is coming is due to covenant unfaithfulness.2 The Lord is indeed being faithful to the covenant by finally sending judgment to Judah for her covenant unfaithfulness.
9 Je leur ferai manger la chair de leurs fils et la chair de leurs filles, Et les uns mangeront la chair des autres, Au milieu de l'angoisse et de la détresse Où les réduiront leurs ennemis Et ceux qui en veulent à leur vie.