Jeremiah 21:9-14

9 He that dwelleth in this city, shall die by sword, and hunger, and pestilence; but he that goeth out, and fleeth over to [the] Chaldees that besiege you, shall live, and his life shall be as a prey to him. (He who liveth in this city, shall die by the sword, and hunger, and pestilence; but he who goeth out, and fleeth over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, shall live, but his own life shall be his only prey.)

10 For I have set my face on this city into evil, and not into good, saith the Lord (For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the Lord); it shall be given in(to) the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

11 And thou shall say to the house of the king of Judah, the house of David, Hear ye the word of the Lord. (And thou shall say to the house of the king of Judah, Ye house of David, hear ye the word of the Lord.)

12 The Lord saith these things, Deem ye early doom, and deliver ye him that is oppressed by violence from the hand of the false challenger; lest peradventure mine indignation go out as fire, and be kindled, and none be that quench, for the malice of your studies. (The Lord saith these things, Early judge ye judgement, and rescue ye him who is oppressed with violence from the hand of the oppressor; lest perhaps my indignation go out like a fire, and be kindled, and there is no one who can quench it, for the malice of your deeds.)

13 Lo! I do to thee, dwelleress of the firm valley, and plain, saith the Lord, [ye] which say, Who shall smite us, and who shall enter into our houses? (Lo! I am against thee, O dwelleress of the firm valley, and O rock of the plain, saith the Lord, Yea, ye who say, Who shall strike us, and who shall enter into our houses?)

14 And I shall visit on you by the fruit of your studies, saith the Lord; and I shall kindle fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things in the compass thereof. (And I shall punish you for the fruit of your deeds, saith the Lord; and I shall kindle a fire in the forest there, and it shall devour everything all around it.)

Jeremiah 21:9-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 21

This chapter contains Jeremiah's answer to King Zedekiah's message to him; in which he assures him of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and gives advice both to the people and the king. The names of the persons sent to him are mentioned, Jer 21:1; and the errand they were sent upon, to desire the prophet to pray to the Lord, that the king of Babylon might be obliged to depart from Jerusalem, Jer 21:2; the answer from the Lord by him is, that their opposition to the king of Babylon should be fruitless; that he should be so far from quitting the siege, that he should enter the city, Jer 21:3,4; yea, that the Lord himself would fight against them, and destroy men and beast with the pestilence; and that such who escaped the sword, famine, and pestilence, should fall into the hands of the king of Babylon, Jer 21:5-7; and then some advice is given to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to go out and give up themselves to the Chaldeans; which was the best way to save their lives, since the city would certainly fall into their hands, and be burnt by them, Jer 21:8-10; and as for the royal family, they are advised to do justice and deliver the oppressed; the not doing of which, it is suggested, was the cause of their ruin, Jer 21:11,12; and the chapter is closed with a denunciation of destruction upon the city, notwithstanding the vain trust and confidence of the inhabitants of it, Jer 21:13,14.