Bible Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 21 Summary
Judgment on Jerusalem and the King
King Zedekiah sends priests to ask Jeremiah if God will deliver Jerusalem from the Babylonian siege, but Jeremiah declares that God Himself will turn the weapons of the besieged against them and fight on Babylon's behalf. The city will be struck with pestilence, famine, and sword, with survivors delivered into Nebuchadrezzar's hand without mercy. God offers the people a choice between death within the city or life in submission to the Chaldeans, and pronounces judgment against the royal house for oppression and injustice.
Key themes
Key verses
Jeremiah 21:4-5
“Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.”
Jeremiah 21:8-9
“And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”
Jeremiah 21:10
“For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.”
Jeremiah 21:12
“O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.”
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