Jeremiah 38:21

21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is the verdict^[a] that the Lord has shown me:

Jeremiah 38:21 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 38:21

But if thou refuse to go forth
Out of Jerusalem, to the Chaldean army, and submit to them: this [is] the word that the Lord hath showed me,
or the thing which should certainly come to pass; the word of prophecy the Lord had showed to the prophet, and which he now declares to the king; who asked of him a word, was desirous to know whether there was a word from the Lord, and what it was; and this it is which follows, in case he continued impenitent, obstinate, and disobedient.

Jeremiah 38:21 In-Context

19 But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am worried about the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans. They may hand me over to them to abuse me."

20 "They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the voice of the Lord in what I am telling you, so it may go well for you and you can live.

21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is the verdict that the Lord has shown me:

22 'All the women who remain in the palace of Judah's king will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon and will say: Your trusted friends misled you and overcame you. Your feet sank into the mire, and they deserted you.

23 All your wives and sons will be brought out to the Chaldeans. You yourself will not escape from them, for you will be seized by the king of Babylon and this city will burn down.' "

Footnotes

• [a]. Or promise; lit word