Jeremiah 21:5

5 Then I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and strong arm in fierce anger and rage.

Jeremiah 21:5 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 21:5

And myself will fight against you
So far from being entreated to do for them according to his wondrous works in times past, as their friend; that he will set himself against them as their enemy; and sad it is to have God for an enemy: if God be for a people, none can be against them to do them any hurt; but if he is against them, it signifies nothing who is for them: this must be much more terrible to them than the whole Chaldean army, and the king of Babylon at the head of them: with an outstretched hand, and with a strong arm;
such as he had used formerly in delivering Israel out of Egypt, but now in delivering them into the hands of their enemies; and out of the reach of such a hand there is no getting; and under the weight of such an arm there is no supporting; see ( Exodus 6:6 ) ( 13:9 ) ; even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath;
because of their sins and iniquities. This heap of words is used to show the greatness of his indignation: this was not the chastisement of a father, but the rebuke of an enemy; not a correction in love, but in hot displeasure; a punishment inflicted in vindictive wrath by a righteous Judge, appearing in a warlike manner.

Jeremiah 21:5 In-Context

3 Jeremiah answered them: This is what you should tell Zedekiah:

4 The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I'm going to turn your own weapons against you, yes, the weapons you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who have surrounded you! I will round them up in the center of the city.

5 Then I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and strong arm in fierce anger and rage.

6 I will strike down those within this city—both people and animals—and they will die of a terrible plague.

7 Afterward, declares the LORD, I will deliver Judah's King Zedekiah, his servants, and those in this city who have survived plague, war, and famine to Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar and to their enemies who seek to do them harm. He will put them to the sword without pity, mercy, or compassion.