He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.
He that abideth in this city shall die ... but he that ... falleth to the Chaldeans ... shall live - repeated in Jeremiah 38:2; Jeremiah 38:17-18.
Falleth to - deserts to.
His life shall be unto him for a prey - proverbial, to make one's escape with life, like a valuable spoil or prey that one carries off: the narrowness of the escape, and the joy felt at it, are included in the idea (Jeremiah 39:18).