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

1This 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.”

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

4this 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.

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

6I 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 37:3Classic cross-references Jeremiah 29:25Classic cross-references 2 Kings 25:18Classic cross-references Jeremiah 38:1Classic cross-references Jeremiah 52:24Classic cross-references

Original words

This is the wordהַדָּבָ֛רH1697Article | Noun - masculine singularthatאֲשֶׁר־H834Pronoun - relativecameהָיָ֥הH1961Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singulartoאֶֽל־H413PrepositionJeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הוּH3414Noun - proper - masculine singularfromמֵאֵ֣תH854Preposition-m | Direct object markerthe LORDיְהוָ֑הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularwhen Kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְH4428Article | Noun - masculine singularZedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֗הוּH6667Noun - proper - masculine singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markersentבִּשְׁלֹ֨חַH7971Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructto himאֵלָ֜יוH413Preposition | third person masculine singularPashhurפַּשְׁחוּר֙H6583Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Malchijahמַלְכִּיָּ֔הH4441Noun - proper - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand the priestהַכֹּהֵ֖ןH3548Article | Noun - masculine singularZephaniahצְפַנְיָ֧הH6846Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Maaseiahמַעֲשֵׂיָ֛הH4641Noun - proper - masculine singularThey saidלֵאמֹֽר׃H559Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct

Verse 2

Cross-references

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

Original words

Pleaseנָ֤אH4994Interjectioninquireדְּרָשׁ־H1875Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularof the LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularon our behalfבַעֲדֵ֙נוּ֙H1157Preposition | first person common plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markersinceכִּ֛יH3588ConjunctionNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥רH5019Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Babylonבָּבֶ֖לH894Noun - proper - feminine singularis waging warנִלְחָ֣םH3898Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularagainst usעָלֵ֑ינוּH5921Preposition | first person common pluralPerhapsאוּלַי֩H194Adverbthe LORDיְהוָ֤הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularwill performיַעֲשֶׂ֨הH6213Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularfor usאוֹתָ֙נוּ֙H854Preposition | first person common pluralsomething like allכְּכָל־H3605Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular constructHis past wondersנִפְלְאֹתָ֔יוH6381Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singularso that [Nebuchadnezzar] will withdrawוְיַעֲלֶ֖הH5927Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singularfrom usמֵעָלֵֽינוּ׃סH5921Preposition-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 Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הוּH3414Noun - proper - masculine singularansweredוַיֹּ֥אמֶרH559Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular-אֲלֵיהֶ֑םH413Preposition | third person masculine pluralYou are to tellתֹאמְרֻ֖ןH559Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun. . .אֶל־H413PrepositionZedekiahצִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃H6667Noun - proper - masculine singularthatכֹּ֥הH3541Adverb

Verse 4

Cross-references

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

Original words

this is whatכֹּֽה־H3541Adverbthe LORDיְהוָ֜הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularthe Godאֱלֹהֵ֣יH430Noun - masculine plural constructof Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לH3478Noun - proper - masculine singular. . .הִנְנִ֣יH2005Interjection | first person common singularsaysאָמַ֨רH559Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularI will turnמֵסֵב֮H5437Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singularagainst youאֶת־H853Direct object markerthe weaponsכְּלֵ֣יH3627Noun - masculine plural constructof warהַמִּלְחָמָה֮H4421Article | Noun - feminine singularאֲשֶׁ֣ראֲשֶׁ֣רH834Pronoun - relativein your handsבְּיֶדְכֶם֒H3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine pluralwith whichאֲשֶׁ֨רH834Pronoun - relativeyouאַתֶּ֜םH859Pronoun - second person masculine pluralare fightingנִלְחָמִ֣יםH3898Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural-אֶת־H854Direct object markerthe kingמֶ֤לֶךְH4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Babylonבָּבֶל֙H894Noun - proper - feminine singular. . .וְאֶת־H854Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand the Chaldeansהַכַּשְׂדִּ֔יםH3778Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralwho besiegeהַצָּרִ֣יםH6696Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralyouעֲלֵיכֶ֔םH5921Preposition | second person masculine pluraloutsideמִח֖וּץH2351Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singularthe wallלַֽחוֹמָ֑הH2346Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singularand I will assembleוְאָסַפְתִּ֣יH622Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular[their forces]אוֹתָ֔םH853Direct object marker | third person masculine pluralinאֶל־H413Prepositionthe centerתּ֖וֹךְH8432Noun - masculine singular constructof thisהַזֹּֽאת׃H2063Article | Pronoun - feminine singularcityהָעִ֥ירH5892Article | Noun - feminine singular

BSB notes

That is, the Babylonians; also in verse 9

Verse 5

Cross-references

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

Original words

And I Myselfאֲנִי֙H589Pronoun - first person common singularwill fightוְנִלְחַמְתִּ֤יH3898Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singularagainst youאִתְּכֶ֔םH854Preposition | second person masculine pluralwith an outstretchedנְטוּיָ֖הH5186Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularhandבְּיָ֥דH3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singularand a mightyחֲזָקָ֑הH2389Adjective - feminine singulararmוּבִזְר֣וֹעַH2220Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singularwith angerוּבְאַ֥ףH639Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singularfuryוּבְחֵמָ֖הH2534Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singularand greatגָּדֽוֹל׃H1419Adjective - masculine singularwrathוּבְקֶ֥צֶףH7110Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 6

Cross-references

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

Original words

I will strike downוְהִכֵּיתִ֗יH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe residentsיֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙H3427Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructof thisהַזֹּ֔אתH2063Article | Pronoun - feminine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markercityהָעִ֣ירH5892Article | Noun - feminine singularboth manהָאָדָ֖םH120Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand beastהַבְּהֵמָ֑הH929Article | Noun - feminine singularThey will dieיָמֻֽתוּ׃H4191Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine pluralin a terribleגָּד֖וֹלH1419Adjective - masculine singularplagueבְּדֶ֥בֶרH1698Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 7

Cross-references

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

Original words

After thatוְאַחֲרֵי־H310Conjunctive waw | Preposition. . .כֵ֣ןH3651Adverbdeclaresנְאֻם־H5002Noun - masculine singular constructthe LORDיְהוָ֡הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularI will hand overאֶתֵּ֣ןH5414Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular-אֶת־H853Direct object markerZedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּH6667Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Judahיְהוּדָ֣הH3063Noun - proper - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerhis officersעֲבָדָ֣יו׀H5650Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerand the peopleהָעָ֡םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singular-וְאֶת־H853Conjunctive waw | Direct object markerin thisהַזֹּ֜אתH2063Article | Pronoun - feminine singular. . .מִן־H4480Prepositioncityבָּעִ֨ירH5892Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singularwho surviveהַנִּשְׁאָרִים֩H7604Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine pluralthe plagueהַדֶּ֣בֶר׀H1698Article | Noun - masculine singular. . .מִן־H4480Prepositionand swordהַחֶ֣רֶבH2719Article | Noun - feminine singular. . .וּמִן־H4480Conjunctive waw | Prepositionand famineהָרָעָ֗בH7458Article | Noun - masculine singulartoבְּיַד֙H3027Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructNebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣רH5019Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Babylonבָּבֶ֔לH894Noun - proper - feminine singularand toוּבְיַד֙H3027Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructtheir enemiesאֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔םH341Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural. . .וּבְיַ֖דH3027Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular constructwho seekמְבַקְשֵׁ֣יH1245Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural constructtheir livesנַפְשָׁ֑םH5315Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine pluralHe will put themוְהִכָּ֣םH5221Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine pluralvvvלְפִי־H6310Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructto the swordחֶ֔רֶבH2719Noun - feminine singularhe will notלֹֽא־H3808Adverb - Negative particlespareיָח֣וּסH2347Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularthemעֲלֵיהֶ֔םH5921Preposition | third person masculine plural[or]וְלֹ֥אH3808Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particleshow pityיַחְמֹ֖לH2550Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular[or]וְלֹ֥אH3808Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particlecompassionיְרַחֵֽם׃H7355Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular

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