Jeremiah 21

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 21 of 52

1 The Word which was to Jeremiah from Jehovah, when King Zedekiah sent Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to him, saying,

2 Inquire now of Jehovah for us. For Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us. Perhaps Jehovah will do with us according to all His wonderful works, that he may go up from us.

3 And Jeremiah said to them, You shall say this to Zedekiah,

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Chapter Summary

Zedekiah sends to Jeremiah to inquire about Nebuchadnezzar's war. Jeremiah pretells a hard siege and miserable captivity.

Key Hebrew Words

דָּרַשׁ to inquire of H1875 · TWOT 455
דֶּ֫בֶר pestilence, plague H1698 · TWOT 399b
רָעָב famine H7458 · TWOT 2183a
מָ֫וֶת death (the way of) H4194 · TWOT 1169a
מִשְׁפָּט justice, judgment H4941 · TWOT 2443c
צוּר to besiege H6696 · TWOT 1899

People & Context

Zedekiah

King of Judah who sends to inquire of Jehovah through Jeremiah during Nebuchadnezzar's siege

Jeremiah

The prophet who receives Jehovah's word and tells Zedekiah of the coming defeat and the way of life and death

Pashur (son of Melchiah)

Official sent by Zedekiah, with Zephaniah, to inquire of Jeremiah (v1)

Zephaniah

Son of Maaseiah the priest, sent by Zedekiah with Pashur to inquire of Jeremiah (v1)

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon warring against Jerusalem, into whose hand Jehovah will give the city (v2,7)

Timeline

Zedekiah Inquires of Jehovah

King Zedekiah sends Pashhur (son of Melchiah) and Zephaniah to Jeremiah to inquire if Jehovah will perform wonders to drive away King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who is besieging them.

Jeremiah 21:1-2
The Way of Life and the Way of Death

Jeremiah replies that God Himself will fight against the city with plague, sword, and famine. He sets before the people a choice: stay in the city and die, or surrender to the Chaldeans and live.

Jeremiah 21:3-10
Warning to the House of David

Jeremiah commands the royal house of Judah to execute proper justice every morning and protect the oppressed, lest God's fury break out like an unquenchable fire upon the city.

Jeremiah 21:11-14

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