Jeremiah 21

Zedekiah's Request Denied

1 [This is] the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur^[a] son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah^[b] son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah, asking,

2 "Ask the Lord on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar^[c][d]king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the Lord will perform for us something like all His [past] wonderful works so that [Nebuchadnezzar] will withdraw from us."

3 But Jeremiah answered, "This is what you are to say to Zedekiah:

4 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will repel the weapons of war in your hands, those you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans^[e] who are besieging you outside the wall, and I will bring them into the center of this city.

5 I will fight against you^[f] with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm,^[g] with anger, rage, and great wrath.

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

7 Afterwards'"-[this is] the Lord's declaration-"'King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people-those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine-I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to their enemies, yes, to those who want to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won't spare them or show pity or compassion.'

A Warning for the People

8 "But you must say to this people, 'This is what the Lord says: Look, I am presenting to you the way of life and the way of death.^[h]

9 Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils [of war].^[i]

10 For I have turned^[j] against this city to [bring] disaster^[k] and not good""-[this is] the Lord's declaration. "'It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, who will burn it down.'^[l]

11 "And to the house of the king of Judah [say this]: 'Hear the word of the Lord!

12 House of David, this is what the Lord says: Administer justice every morning, and rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor,^[m] or My anger will flare up like fire and burn unquenchably because of their evil deeds.

13 Beware! I am against you, you who sit above the valley, [you atop] the rocky plateau- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration- you who say: Who can come down against us? Who can enter our hiding places?

14 I will punish you according to what you have done- [this is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. I will kindle a fire in its forest that will consume everything around it.' "

Jeremiah 21 Commentary

Chapter 21

The only way of deliverance is to be surrendering to the Babylonians. (1-10) The wickedness of the king and his household. (11-14)

Verses 1-10 When the siege had begun, Zedekiah sent to ask of Jeremiah respecting the event. In times of distress and danger, men often seek those to counsel and pray for them, whom, at other times, they despise and oppose; but they only seek deliverance from punishment. When professors continue in disobedience, presuming upon outward privileges, let them be told that the Lord will prosper his open enemies against them. As the king and his princes would not surrender, the people are exhorted to do so. No sinner on earth is left without a Refuge, who really desires one; but the way of life is humbling, it requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties.

Verses 11-14 The wickedness of the king and his family was the worse because of their relation to David. They were urged to act with justice, at once, lest the Lord's anger should be unquenchable. If God be for us, who can be against us? But if he be against us, who can do any thing for us?

Footnotes

• [a]. Jr 38:1; 1 Ch 9:12; Neh 11:12
• [b]. Jr 29:24-29; 37:3; 52:24-27
• [c]. Lit Nebuchadrezzar
• [d]. 2 Kg 24:11; 25:22; 2 Ch 36:6-13
• [e]. Babylonians
• [f]. 1 Sm 4:1-5:12; Lm 2:5
• [g]. Dt 5:15; 26:8; Ps 136:12
• [h]. Jr 8:3; Dt 30:15-19; Pr 12:28
• [i]. Jr 38:2; 39:18; 45:5
• [j]. Lit set My face
• [k]. Jr 44:11
• [l]. Jr 34:2,22; 37:8; 38:18
• [m]. Jr 22:3; Dt 28:29; Ec 4:1

Chapter Summary

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.