Zedekiah’s request and Jeremiah’s response 21:1-10This passage probably dates from the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 588-586 B.C. (Jeremiah 21:2; Jeremiah 21:4; cf. 2 Kings 25). King Zedekiah sought advice from Jeremiah more than once (cf. Jeremiah 37:3-10; Jeremiah 37:17-21; Jeremiah 38:14-28). This passage consists of two oracles (Jeremiah 21:1-10). read more
The Lord promised that not only the Babylonians but He, too, would fight against the city. He would bring His strong arm against Jerusalem in anger and would strike down its inhabitants (cf. Deuteronomy 4:34; et al.). Normally the Divine Warrior fought for His people, but now He would fight against them. Humans and animals would die from the sword and from diseases, a curse for breaking covenant (cf. Jeremiah 14:12; Jeremiah 32:24; Exodus 5:3; Exodus 9:15; Numbers 14:12). read more
Jeremiah’s Twelfth Prophecy (Reign of Zedekiah during the Siege). Zedekiah’s RollThis chapter commences a new division of the book extending to the end of Jeremiah 24. We pass from the time of Jehoiakim to that of the last king of Judah, when Jerusalem was attacked by the Chaldeans. The city must be taken, but surrender may still ensure safety.1-10. The king’s appeal to the prophet, and the reply.1. Pashur] see on Jeremiah 20:2. Zephaniah] mentioned again Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah... read more
(6) They shall die of a great pestilence.—This was doubtless, as in other instances (Thuc. ii. 52), the natural consequence of the siege, but it came before the people as another proof that Jehovah had stretched out his arm against them, that they were fighting against that arm as well as against the host of the invaders. The “outstretched hand” may be noted as another Deuteronomic phrase (Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15; Deuteronomy 26:8). read more
CHAPTER XIA BROKEN COVENANTJeremiah 21:1-10, Jeremiah 34:1-22, Jeremiah 37:1-10"All the princes and peoplechanged their minds and reduced to bondage again all the slaves whom they had set free." Jeremiah 34:10-11IN our previous chapter we saw that, at the point where the fragmentary record of the abortive conspiracy in the fourth year of Zedekiah came to an abrupt conclusion, Jeremiah seemed to have regained the ascendency he enjoyed under Josiah. The Jewish government had relinquished their... read more
CHAPTER 21 The Prophetic Warning 1. Zedekiah’s inquiry (Jeremiah 21:1-2 ) 2. Jehovah’s answer through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 21:3-14 ) Jeremiah 21:1-2 . It has been said that this chapter is historically misplaced and therefore must be considered an evidence of the composite authorship of this book. The Spirit of God for some reason unknown to us has put it in this place. Zedekiah sent unto Jeremiah Pashur (a different one from the Pashur in the preceding chapter) to inquire as to... read more
MESSAGES IN ZEDEKIAH ’S REIGN These chapters furnish a convenient unit, as they are apparently a group of discourses delivered in Zedekiah’s reign the king of the captivity period. The first, and one of the most interesting, is that concerning the siege (chap. 21). Note the occasion (Jeremiah 21:1-2 ) and observe that Pashur was not he of the last lesson. The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar had begun and the king of Judah hoped the prophet would have some encouraging word from God for... read more
The Lord's answer by the Prophet is such as one might expect, most alarming and awful! Reader! how blessed is it to know the Lord, in order to a proper confidence in him. Sweet is that promise to this amount, Isaiah 32:1-2 . read more
Pestilence. Septuagint, "death;" the sword, and various diseases. (Haydock) read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Jeremiah 21:6
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more