Read & explore together
Jerusalem Will Fall to Babylon
Jeremiah 21:1-10 is a hard prophetic message. A king asks Jeremiah to seek Yahweh’s help during war, but the answer is not rescue. The passage announces judgement on the city and sets out a stark choice before the people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
King Zedekiah sends Pashhur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against them. They ask Jeremiah to inquire of Yahweh and hope he may act with wondrous works. Jeremiah’s reply is first for Zedekiah, then for the people of the city.
Jeremiah 21:1–10Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh announces judgement on the city and tells the people plainly what path will lead to life and what path will lead to death.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A request sent to JeremiahThe passage begins with a message that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when King Zedekiah sent two men to him.
Explanation
The passage begins with a message that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when King Zedekiah sent two men to him. Their request is simple: “Please inquire of Yahweh for us.” They explain that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against them, and they hope Yahweh may act according to his wondrous works so that he withdraws.
02Yahweh answers the kingJeremiah is told to speak back to Zedekiah. Instead of promising help, Yahweh says he will turn back the weapons already in the people’s hands.
Explanation
Jeremiah is told to speak back to Zedekiah. Instead of promising help, Yahweh says he will turn back the weapons already in the people’s hands. The besieging Chaldeans are outside the walls, yet Yahweh says he will gather them into the middle of this city. The message grows even more severe: “I myself will fight against you.”
03Judgement on the city and its survivorsThe judgement includes the inhabitants of the city, both man and animal, with a great pestilence.
Explanation
The judgement includes the inhabitants of the city, both man and animal, with a great pestilence. Then Zedekiah, his servants, and the people left from pestilence, sword, and famine will be delivered into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar and their enemies. The wording is stark, saying there will be no sparing, pity, or mercy.
04The way of life and the way of deathYahweh next addresses the people directly. He sets before them “the way of life and the way of death”.
Explanation
Yahweh next addresses the people directly. He sets before them “the way of life and the way of death”. Remaining in the city means death by sword, famine, and pestilence. Going out to the Chaldeans who besiege the city means life. The reason given is that Yahweh has set his face on this city for evil, not for good, and it will be burned with fire.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What exactly did Zedekiah’s messengers ask Jeremiah to do, and what outcome did they hope for?
Look for their request to inquire of Yahweh and their hope that he might act with wondrous works so the attacker would withdraw.
02How does Yahweh’s answer differ from the help the king was seeking?
Compare the hoped-for withdrawal of Babylon with Yahweh’s words about turning back the city’s weapons and fighting against the people.
03According to this message, what are the two paths set before the people?
Notice the contrast between staying in the city and going out to the Chaldeans, and the different outcomes attached to each.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 21:1–10
1The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, saying,
2“Please inquire of Yahweh for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps Yahweh will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may withdraw from us.”
3Then Jeremiah said to them, “Tell Zedekiah:
4‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says, “Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and I will gather them into the middle of this city.
5I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation.
6I will strike the inhabitants of this city, both man and animal. They will die of a great pestilence.
7Afterward,” says Yahweh, “I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, and the people, even those who are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those who seek their life. He will strike them with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them, have pity, or have mercy.” ’
8“You shall say to this people, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
9He who remains in this city will die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he who goes out and passes over to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he will live, and he will escape with his life.
10For I have set my face on this city for evil, and not for good,” says Yahweh. “It will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it with fire.” ’