Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 21

Verse 1

Jeremiah's Fourteenth Prophecy, Jeremiah 21:1-10 , and a new division of the book (see book comments for Jeremiah).

Note the reigns: Jeremiah 21:0 : Zedekiah (the last king of Judah). Jeremiah 21:0 : his three predecessors, Shallum (or Jehoahaz), Jehoiakim, and Coniah (or Jechoniah, or Jehoiachin). Jeremiah 25:0 , Jeremiah 26:0 , Jeremiah 27:0 , Jehoiakim. Jeremiah 28:0 , Zedekiah again, and the last days of Jerusalem. This order is logical, which is more important than chronological, for the severity of Jeremiah 21:0 is shown to be justified by the chapters which follow. Compare Jeremiah 25:3-5 , and see App-83 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

sent unto him. Contrast the mission of Hezekiah to Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2 .Isaiah 37:2; Isaiah 37:2 ).

Pashur. Not the Pashur of Jeremiah 20:1 . This prophecy is nineteen years later; the deportation in the reign of Jehoiachin had taken place, and a worse set of men were the rulers. This Pashur was a priest, if Melchiah is the same Melchiah as in 1 Chronicles 9:12 .

Zephaniah, &c. He is mentioned again (Jeremiah 29:25 ; Jeremiah 37:3 ; Jeremiah 52:24 ). The Hebrew accents read "Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah."

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Nebuchadrezzar. First occurrence in Jeremiah.

go up from us: i.e. raise the siege.

Verse 3

Zedekiah. The last king of Judah.

Verse 4

the LORD God of Israel = Jehovah the Elohim of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 11:3 , and App-4 .

Behold. Figure of speech. Asterismos . App-6 .

Verse 5

outstretched hand. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 6:6 )

strong = strong (for holding fast).

Verse 6

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 7

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

from. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and from", thus forming the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

he shall not spare. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:50 ).

Verse 8

I set before you, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:19 ).

life . . . death. Note the' Introversion in Jeremiah 21:9 , "die . . . live".

Verse 9

he that goeth out, &c. Many acted on this promise (Jeremiah 39:9 ; Jeremiah 52:15 ).

falleth = shall fall.

he shall live. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "then (or so) shall he live".

be unto him for a prey: i.e. he shall save his life, but it will be dearly bought. Compare Jeremiah 38:2 ; Jeremiah 39:18 ; Jer 45:6 . The phrase occurs only in Jeremiah.

Verse 10

I have set, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 17:10 ). Compare Ezekiel 15:7 .

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 12

house of David. Occurs only here in Jeremiah.

in the morning = betimes.

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

your. Some codices, with seven early printed editions, read "their".

Verse 13

inhabitant = inhabitress: i.e. Zion.

rock of the plain. Figure of speech Periphrasis , for Zion.

Verse 14

kindle a fire, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:22 ). App-92 .

the forest thereof = her forest. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the timber from Lebanon used in the buildings.

it shall devour. Fulfilled in Jeremiah 52:13 .