Jeremiah 15 21

Jeremiah 15:21 kjv

And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.

Jeremiah 15:21 nkjv

"I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible."

Jeremiah 15:21 niv

"I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel."

Jeremiah 15:21 esv

I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."

Jeremiah 15:21 nlt

Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands."

Jeremiah 15 verses

Jeremiah 15 21 Meaning

Jeremiah 15:21 is a divine promise to the prophet Jeremiah, affirming God's personal intervention to protect him from the severe threats he faced. Following Jeremiah's lament and God's re-commissioning, this verse guarantees that the Lord Himself will rescue Jeremiah from the power and oppression of those who oppose him and his message. It signifies divine commitment to the safety and continued ministry of His faithful servant amidst immense hostility.

Jeremiah 15 21 Context

Jeremiah 15 presents a profound dialogue between God and the prophet. Prior to this verse, God has pronounced unyielding judgment on Judah (v.1-9), decreeing that their spiritual corruption necessitates their destruction and exile. Jeremiah, feeling the immense burden and pain of this message, along with the intense persecution it brings upon him, cries out in lament (v.10, 15-18). He expresses his anguish, loneliness, and frustration, feeling betrayed and wondering if God has abandoned him. In response, God challenges Jeremiah to separate the precious from the vile, to cease his self-pity, and to faithfully speak God's word (v.19). God promises that if Jeremiah does so, He will restore Jeremiah's position and protect him from the people, making him a "fortified wall of bronze" (v.20). Jeremiah 15:21 then serves as the climax and ultimate assurance of this divine protection, solidifying the promise of deliverance and redemption for Jeremiah personally, reinforcing God's faithfulness to His suffering prophet in the face of a hostile world. Historically, Jeremiah prophesied during the turbulent final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, facing constant threats from kings, priests, false prophets, and the people for his unwelcome message of impending judgment from Babylon.

Jeremiah 15 21 Word analysis

• And I will deliver you (וְהִצַּלְתִּ֫יךָ - wəhiṣṣaltîkā):

  • "And" (wə): Connects this promise to the preceding divine declarations, specifically God's assurance of protection in v.20, building on it.
  • "I will deliver" (hiṣṣaltîkā from naṣal): Meaning to rescue, snatch away, save, pull out. Implies intervention from a dangerous, life-threatening situation. The "I" is emphatic in the Hebrew verbal form, stressing that it is God Himself who acts, not through a mediator, but directly.
  • "you": Refers directly to Jeremiah. This is a highly personal promise to the prophet.

• out of the hand (מִיַּד - mīyad):

  • "out of the hand": A common Hebrew idiom representing power, authority, control, or grasp. To be in someone's "hand" means to be under their complete power. God will remove Jeremiah from this hostile control.

• of the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rəšāʿîm):

  • "wicked" (rəšāʿîm): Plural of rashahʿ. Those who are guilty, unrighteous, rebellious against God's law and will. In Jeremiah's context, these were the various individuals and groups within Judah—kings, priests, false prophets, and even the general populace—who rejected God's word delivered by Jeremiah and actively sought to harm him. Their opposition stemmed from their spiritual wickedness.

• and I will redeem you (וְגָאַלְתִּ֫יךָ - wəḡaʾaltîkā):

  • "and I will redeem" (wəḡaʾaltîkā from gaʾal): Meaning to act as a kinsman-redeemer (go'el), to buy back, liberate, release, or restore (often involving a powerful act, or figuratively a "payment"). This word suggests not just simple rescue but a strong, intentional act of reacquisition or restoration of what rightfully belongs to God. It highlights God's special claim on Jeremiah.
  • "you": Again, directly to Jeremiah. The repetition of the promise underscores its certainty.

• from the grasp (מִיַּד - mīyad):

  • "from the grasp": Identical to "out of the hand," reinforcing the idiom of hostile power and absolute control. Its repetition serves to emphasize the pervasive nature of the threat.

• of the ruthless (עָרִיצִים - ʿārîṣîm):

  • "ruthless" (ʿārîṣîm): Plural of ʿarits. This term describes those who are violent, terrifying, oppressive, tyrannical, and powerful in their cruelty. It depicts the oppressive nature of Jeremiah's enemies, who were not merely "wicked" in spirit but actively and brutally intimidating in their actions. They sought to suppress him through fear and force.

Jeremiah 15 21 Words-group analysis

• "And I will deliver you... and I will redeem you": The use of two strong verbs of liberation (naṣal and gaʾal) in a parallel structure emphasizes the comprehensiveness and certainty of God's intervention. Naṣal is a more general term for rescue from danger, while gaʾal carries the deeper theological connotation of special deliverance by a redeemer who has a claim on the one being delivered. This suggests not just rescue but also restoration and upholding of Jeremiah's divine status. God is fully committed to His servant.
• "out of the hand of the wicked... from the grasp of the ruthless": This parallelism of adversarial sources highlights the dual nature of Jeremiah's opponents. They were both morally depraved ("wicked") and physically oppressive ("ruthless"). The double mention of "hand" or "grasp" intensifies the imagery of complete control and malevolent power from which God promises to free Jeremiah, affirming His sovereignty over even the most formidable human opposition. The phrase speaks to the severe and systemic nature of the threat to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 15 21 Bonus section

The active and direct "I will deliver" and "I will redeem" in the first person singular underscore the intensely personal nature of this promise. It is not an abstract decree but a personal vow from the sovereign Lord to His servant. This divine promise served not to remove Jeremiah from suffering entirely (as he continued to face trials) but to ensure his ultimate protection and the successful completion of his prophetic mission. The parallel structure is a poetic device in Hebrew literature that often signifies emphasis and certainty. By using two synonymous phrases for "deliver" and "from the enemy's hand," God is emphatically sealing the truth of His intention. The verse subtly points to God's covenant loyalty (implied by "redeem" as a kinsman-redeemer) which extends to His individual servants as well as to the nation of Israel. This passage becomes a foundational text for understanding divine protection over those faithfully representing God's message, despite all earthly dangers.

Jeremiah 15 21 Commentary

Jeremiah 15:21 stands as a profound declaration of God's unwavering commitment to His faithful prophet, Jeremiah. Coming at the close of a difficult lament, this verse offers solace and renewed assurance. It addresses Jeremiah's vulnerability and feelings of abandonment by affirming God's direct, personal, and complete intervention. The twofold promise of deliverance (naṣal) and redemption (gaʾal) covers both immediate physical threats and a deeper, proprietary restoration. God guarantees that no power—no "hand" or "grasp" of the wicked or the ruthless—will ultimately triumph over His chosen servant. This promise solidifies Jeremiah's purpose, reinforcing that despite the intense suffering and opposition, his life and ministry are secured by divine power, not by human strength or schemes. It is a powerful lesson in God's faithfulness to those who endure in obedience to His call, even in the face of profound adversity.

• Example: For those serving God in challenging environments, this verse assures them that even when surrounded by hostile and oppressive forces, their ultimate security and vindication rests with God.
• Example: When facing character attacks or threats for upholding biblical truth, believers can find strength in God's promise to "deliver" and "redeem" them from the "hand of the wicked" who seek to silence or discredit them.