Jeremiah 21 14

Jeremiah 21:14 kjv

But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.

Jeremiah 21:14 nkjv

But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings," says the LORD; "I will kindle a fire in its forest, And it shall devour all things around it." ' "

Jeremiah 21:14 niv

I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you.'?"

Jeremiah 21:14 esv

I will punish you according to the fruit of your deeds, declares the LORD; I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is around her."

Jeremiah 21:14 nlt

And I myself will punish you for your sinfulness,
says the LORD.
I will light a fire in your forests
that will burn up everything around you.'"

Jeremiah 21 verses

Jeremiah 21 14 Meaning

This verse describes the judgment against Jerusalem, focusing on its unfaithfulness and the impending consequences, depicted as a severe fire that will consume its palaces. It emphasizes that this punishment is a direct result of its own actions and decisions.

Jeremiah 21 14 Context

Jeremiah chapter 21 occurs during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah of Judah, in his desperation, sends messengers to inquire of the Lord through Jeremiah. This chapter presents God's response, delivered by Jeremiah, which is not a message of hope or deliverance, but a prophecy of judgment and destruction. The people had continued in their wickedness and disobedience, turning a deaf ear to Jeremiah's warnings for years. Verse 14 specifically points to the immediate consequence of this ongoing rebellion—a consuming fire that will utterly destroy the royal palaces, signifying the end of the Davidic monarchy and the desolation of the city's heart.

Jeremiah 21 14 Word Analysis

• וְאִם (ve'im) - "And if" or "but if." This introduces a conditional statement, indicating a response to an assumed continued course of action or a stark alternative.

• לֹא (lo) - "not" or "no." Negates the following verb.

• תֵּצֵאתָ (tetzet) - "you go out" or "you depart." Refers to leaving Jerusalem, particularly to surrender to the Chaldeans. The verb form implies addressing Zedekiah and the people directly.

• וְאִם (ve'im) - "and if" or "but if." Repetition emphasizes the two possible paths: resistance leading to destruction, or surrender and survival (though captivity).

• לֹא (lo) - "not" or "no."

• תִשְׁמְעוּ (tishma'u) - "you listen" or "you obey." It's the plural form of "to hear," emphasizing the collective disobedience of the people and leadership.

• בִּדְבָרַי (bid'varai) - "to my words" or "concerning my words." Refers specifically to the divine messages and warnings delivered by Jeremiah.

• אֲשֶׁר (asher) - "which" or "that." Connects the previous clause to the content of Jeremiah's words.

• אָנֹכִי (anokhi) - "I." Emphatically states God as the speaker and agent.

• דֹּבֵר (dober) - "speaking." Present participle, indicating an ongoing action of speaking God's message.

• אֲלֵיכֶם (aleykhem) - "to you." Plural pronoun, addressing the people of Jerusalem, specifically their leaders.

• בְּעָתּוֹת (ba'atoth) - "trembling" or "terrors" or "terror" or "sudden calamity." The plural suggests repeated or manifold instances of fear and distress.

• סָבִיב (saviv) - "round about." Indicates the omnipresence of the impending danger.

• עַד (ad) - "until" or "even."

• אֵין (ein) - "there is" (negated). Signifies absence.

• מְרַפֵּא (merape) - "healer" or "one who heals" or "remedy." Indicates the lack of any possible help or solution, given their path.

• Groups of words: "But I will punish you for your sins" implies the sovereign decision of God to bring retribution for their covenant breaking. The inability to "go out" and "listen to my words" underscores their defiant spiritual blindness and resistance to God's counsel. The consequence is described as "terror round about" and a complete lack of any "remedy," portraying absolute desolation.

Jeremiah 21 14 Bonus Section

The imagery of "fire" in the Bible often symbolizes judgment, purification, or the consuming wrath of God. Here, it signifies the complete obliteration of the king's residence and potentially the symbolic heart of the kingdom, leaving nothing standing. The lack of "remedy" underscores the ultimate authority of God in bringing about His purposes and the limited efficacy of human efforts when against His decree of judgment due to persistent sin. The "terror round about" points to the psychological and societal collapse accompanying the physical destruction.

Jeremiah 21 14 Commentary

This verse serves as a stark warning of inevitable judgment due to persistent sin. God offers a path to potential mitigation through obedience (implied in the previous verses), but given their ongoing defiance, the severe punishment of fire upon their most secure places, their palaces, signifies utter destruction and the loss of their sovereignty and safety. It highlights that spiritual rebellion invites divine judgment, which ultimately brings complete devastation when all avenues for repentance and escape from condemnation are ignored. The lack of a "remedy" emphasizes the finality of the consequences stemming from their deep-seated unfaithfulness.