Focused Passage

Jeremiah 21:1-7

The Last Hope of Zedekiah and the Unavoidable Judgment of Jerusalem

The chapter moves from desperate royal inquiry, to divine refusal of false hope, to the life-or-death choice placed before Jerusalem, to a final indictment of Davidic leadership.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said,

2 “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

3 But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that

4 this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city.

5 And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath.

6 I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’

7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Jeremiah 37:3 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 29:25 Classic cross-references 2 Kings 25:18 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 38:1 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 52:24 Classic cross-references

Original words

This is the word הַדָּבָ֛ר H1697 Article | Noun - masculine singular that אֲשֶׁר־ H834 Pronoun - relative came הָיָ֥ה H1961 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular to אֶֽל־ H413 Preposition Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ H3414 Noun - proper - masculine singular from מֵאֵ֣ת H854 Preposition-m | Direct object marker the LORD יְהוָ֑ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular when King הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ H4428 Article | Noun - masculine singular Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֗הוּ H6667 Noun - proper - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker sent בִּשְׁלֹ֨חַ H7971 Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct to him אֵלָ֜יו H413 Preposition | third person masculine singular Pashhur פַּשְׁחוּר֙ H6583 Noun - proper - masculine singular son בֶּן־ H1121 Noun - masculine singular construct of Malchijah מַלְכִּיָּ֔ה H4441 Noun - proper - masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and the priest הַכֹּהֵ֖ן H3548 Article | Noun - masculine singular Zephaniah צְפַנְיָ֧ה H6846 Noun - proper - masculine singular son בֶן־ H1121 Noun - masculine singular construct of Maaseiah מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה H4641 Noun - proper - masculine singular They said לֵאמֹֽר׃ H559 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct

Verse 2

Cross-references

2 Chronicles 18:4 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 37:3 Classic cross-references 1 Kings 22:5 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 20:1 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 37:7 Classic cross-references

Original words

Please נָ֤א H4994 Interjection inquire דְּרָשׁ־ H1875 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular of the LORD יְהוָ֔ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular on our behalf בַעֲדֵ֙נוּ֙ H1157 Preposition | first person common plural - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker since כִּ֛י H3588 Conjunction Nebuchadnezzar נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר H5019 Noun - proper - masculine singular king מֶֽלֶךְ־ H4428 Noun - masculine singular construct of Babylon בָּבֶ֖ל H894 Noun - proper - feminine singular is waging war נִלְחָ֣ם H3898 Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular against us עָלֵ֑ינוּ H5921 Preposition | first person common plural Perhaps אוּלַי֩ H194 Adverb the LORD יְהוָ֤ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular will perform יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה H6213 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular for us אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙ H854 Preposition | first person common plural something like all כְּכָל־ H3605 Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct His past wonders נִפְלְאֹתָ֔יו H6381 Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular so that [Nebuchadnezzar] will withdraw וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה H5927 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular from us מֵעָלֵֽינוּ׃ס H5921 Preposition-m | first person common plural

BSB notes

Hebrew Nebuchadrezzar, a variant of Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon), which occurs frequently in Jeremiah. The latter spelling is used throughout Jeremiah for consistency.

Verse 3

Original words

But Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ H3414 Noun - proper - masculine singular answered וַיֹּ֥אמֶר H559 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular - אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם H413 Preposition | third person masculine plural You are to tell תֹאמְרֻ֖ן H559 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun . . . אֶל־ H413 Preposition Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ H6667 Noun - proper - masculine singular that כֹּ֥ה H3541 Adverb

Verse 4

Cross-references

Isaiah 13:4 Classic cross-references Isaiah 5:5 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 32:3 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 32:5 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 33:5 Classic cross-references

Original words

this is what כֹּֽה־ H3541 Adverb the LORD יְהוָ֜ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular the God אֱלֹהֵ֣י H430 Noun - masculine plural construct of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל H3478 Noun - proper - masculine singular . . . הִנְנִ֣י H2005 Interjection | first person common singular says אָמַ֨ר H559 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular I will turn מֵסֵב֮ H5437 Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular against you אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the weapons כְּלֵ֣י H3627 Noun - masculine plural construct of war הַמִּלְחָמָה֮ H4421 Article | Noun - feminine singular אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834 Pronoun - relative in your hands בְּיֶדְכֶם֒ H3027 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural with which אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834 Pronoun - relative you אַתֶּ֜ם H859 Pronoun - second person masculine plural are fighting נִלְחָמִ֣ים H3898 Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural - אֶת־ H854 Direct object marker the king מֶ֤לֶךְ H4428 Noun - masculine singular construct of Babylon בָּבֶל֙ H894 Noun - proper - feminine singular . . . וְאֶת־ H854 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and the Chaldeans הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים H3778 Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural who besiege הַצָּרִ֣ים H6696 Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural you עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם H5921 Preposition | second person masculine plural outside מִח֖וּץ H2351 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular the wall לַֽחוֹמָ֑ה H2346 Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular and I will assemble וְאָסַפְתִּ֣י H622 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular [their forces] אוֹתָ֔ם H853 Direct object marker | third person masculine plural in אֶל־ H413 Preposition the center תּ֖וֹךְ H8432 Noun - masculine singular construct of this הַזֹּֽאת׃ H2063 Article | Pronoun - feminine singular city הָעִ֥יר H5892 Article | Noun - feminine singular

BSB notes

That is, the Babylonians; also in verse 9

Verse 5

Cross-references

Ezekiel 20:33 Classic cross-references Isaiah 63:10 Classic cross-references Exodus 6:6 Classic cross-references Isaiah 5:25 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 32:17 Classic cross-references

Original words

And I Myself אֲנִי֙ H589 Pronoun - first person common singular will fight וְנִלְחַמְתִּ֤י H3898 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular against you אִתְּכֶ֔ם H854 Preposition | second person masculine plural with an outstretched נְטוּיָ֖ה H5186 Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular hand בְּיָ֥ד H3027 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular and a mighty חֲזָקָ֑ה H2389 Adjective - feminine singular arm וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ H2220 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular with anger וּבְאַ֥ף H639 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular fury וּבְחֵמָ֖ה H2534 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular and great גָּדֽוֹל׃ H1419 Adjective - masculine singular wrath וּבְקֶ֥צֶף H7110 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 6

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 28:21 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 14:13 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 14:17 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 14:19 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 14:21 Classic cross-references

Original words

I will strike down וְהִכֵּיתִ֗י H5221 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the residents יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙ H3427 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct of this הַזֹּ֔את H2063 Article | Pronoun - feminine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker city הָעִ֣יר H5892 Article | Noun - feminine singular both man הָאָדָ֖ם H120 Article | Noun - masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and beast הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה H929 Article | Noun - feminine singular They will die יָמֻֽתוּ׃ H4191 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural in a terrible גָּד֖וֹל H1419 Adjective - masculine singular plague בְּדֶ֥בֶר H1698 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 7

Cross-references

Jeremiah 37:17 Classic cross-references 2 Kings 25:5 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 7:16 Classic cross-references Habakkuk 1:6 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 22:25 Classic cross-references

Original words

After that וְאַחֲרֵי־ H310 Conjunctive waw | Preposition . . . כֵ֣ן H3651 Adverb declares נְאֻם־ H5002 Noun - masculine singular construct the LORD יְהוָ֡ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular I will hand over אֶתֵּ֣ן H5414 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ H6667 Noun - proper - masculine singular king מֶֽלֶךְ־ H4428 Noun - masculine singular construct of Judah יְהוּדָ֣ה H3063 Noun - proper - masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker his officers עֲבָדָ֣יו׀ H5650 Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and the people הָעָ֡ם H5971 Article | Noun - masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker in this הַזֹּ֜את H2063 Article | Pronoun - feminine singular . . . מִן־ H4480 Preposition city בָּעִ֨יר H5892 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular who survive הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֩ H7604 Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural the plague הַדֶּ֣בֶר׀ H1698 Article | Noun - masculine singular . . . מִן־ H4480 Preposition and sword הַחֶ֣רֶב H2719 Article | Noun - feminine singular . . . וּמִן־ H4480 Conjunctive waw | Preposition and famine הָרָעָ֗ב H7458 Article | Noun - masculine singular to בְּיַד֙ H3027 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct Nebuchadnezzar נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר H5019 Noun - proper - masculine singular king מֶֽלֶךְ־ H4428 Noun - masculine singular construct of Babylon בָּבֶ֔ל H894 Noun - proper - feminine singular and to וּבְיַד֙ H3027 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct their enemies אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם H341 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural . . . וּבְיַ֖ד H3027 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct who seek מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י H1245 Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct their lives נַפְשָׁ֑ם H5315 Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural He will put them וְהִכָּ֣ם H5221 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural vvv לְפִי־ H6310 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct to the sword חֶ֔רֶב H2719 Noun - feminine singular he will not לֹֽא־ H3808 Adverb - Negative particle spare יָח֣וּס H2347 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular them עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם H5921 Preposition | third person masculine plural [or] וְלֹ֥א H3808 Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle show pity יַחְמֹ֖ל H2550 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular [or] וְלֹ֥א H3808 Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle compassion יְרַחֵֽם׃ H7355 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular

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