Jeremiah 21 4

Jeremiah 21:4 kjv

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

Jeremiah 21:4 nkjv

'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and I will assemble them in the midst of this city.

Jeremiah 21:4 niv

'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city.

Jeremiah 21:4 esv

'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands and with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and against the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside the walls. And I will bring them together into the midst of this city.

Jeremiah 21:4 nlt

'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I will make your weapons useless against the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside your walls attacking you. In fact, I will bring your enemies right into the heart of this city.

Jeremiah 21 verses

Jeremiah 21 4 Meaning

This verse describes the inevitable judgment and destruction that will come upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants because of their defiance and opposition to God's messenger, Jeremiah, and by extension, God himself. The impending invasion by Nebuchadnezzar's army signifies the divine response to their rebellion, resulting in capture and ruin.

Jeremiah 21 4 Context

Jeremiah 21:1-14 is part of Jeremiah's prophecy during the reign of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, shortly before the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The chapter begins with King Zedekiah sending messengers, Pashur and Zephaniah, to inquire of the Lord through Jeremiah. Their inquiry stems from Nebuchadnezzar's advance on Jerusalem. God's response, delivered through Jeremiah, is not a message of hope or deliverance but a pronouncement of imminent destruction and judgment upon the city and its people. This prophecy reflects the ultimate consequence of Judah's persistent unfaithfulness and rejection of God's word through His prophets. The historical backdrop is critical, as it details the dire political and spiritual situation of a nation facing the terrifying might of the Babylonian Empire.

Jeremiah 21 4 Word Analysis

• “Behold” (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh) - An interjection used to draw attention or emphasize what follows, conveying a sense of urgency and certainty. It signals a significant divine declaration.
• “I will turn back” (Hebrew: שׁוּב, shuv) - This verb signifies to turn, return, or bring back. Here, it implies redirecting military efforts, specifically turning weapons meant for defense or offense back against the very people holding them. It conveys God's sovereign control over the instruments of war.
• “the weapons of war” (Hebrew: כְּלֵי מִלְחָמָה, keleiy milchamah) - This refers to all instruments of battle and soldiery. The phrase highlights the tools that Judah might have relied upon for defense, which God declares will be ineffective or turned against them.
• “in your hands” (Hebrew: בְּיֶדְכֶם, beyadchem) - Lit. "in your hand," signifying control, possession, or readiness. God is stating that even those instruments they currently hold and can wield will be rendered useless or reoriented for their downfall.
• “with which you fight” (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם נִלְחָמִים, asher atem nilchamim) - Describes the ongoing act of combat or preparedness for it. It underscores their active involvement in a struggle where their efforts will be counterproductive.
• “against the king of Babylon” (Hebrew: אֶל־מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל, el-melech Bavel) - Refers to Nebuchadnezzar. God explicitly identifies the enemy who will be the instrument of His judgment.
• “and against the Chaldeans” (Hebrew: וְעַל־הַכַּשְׂדִּים, ve’al-hakasdim) - Specifies the Babylonian army.
• “who are besieging you” (Hebrew: הַצָּרִים אֶתְכֶם, hatzrim etchem) - Indicates the active military encirclement of Jerusalem. This was the immediate context that prompted Zedekiah's inquiry.
• “and I will gather them” (Hebrew: וְקִבַּצְתִּ֤י אוֹתָם֙, vekibbtzt’ti otam) - Implies a forceful and unified assembly. God is orchestrating the movement and concentration of the enemy forces.
• “in the midst of this city” (Hebrew: בְּתוֹךְ הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את, betoch ha’ir hazzo’t) - Refers directly to Jerusalem. The enemies will be brought right into the heart of the capital.
• “So I will strike you” (Hebrew: וְהִכִּיתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙, vehikkiti etchem) - A direct statement of punitive action. God Himself is the one initiating the strike.
• “and I will make you abide” (Hebrew: וְהוֹשַׁבְתִּ֣י, vehoshavti) - Lit. "and I will cause to dwell" or "sit." It implies a forced and permanent imposition or stationing.
• “in the midst of the fire” (Hebrew: בְּת֣וֹךְ אֵ֔שׁ, betoch esh) - This phrase can be interpreted literally as the city being engulfed in flames, or metaphorically as being subjected to intense suffering, destruction, and tribulation. The imagery of fire is often used to represent purification and judgment in the Old Testament.
• “and you shall be burned” (Hebrew: וְשָׂרַפְתִּ֥י, vesarafti) - Reinforces the imagery of destruction by fire, a comprehensive annihilation.
• “with a strong hand” (Hebrew: בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה, beyad chazaqah) - Emphasizes the power, might, and unstoppable nature of God’s action. This is a characteristic attribute of God shown in His deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
• “with an outstretched arm” (Hebrew: וּבִזְרֹ֥עַ נְטוּיָֽה, uvizro’a netuyah) - Further amplifies the display of divine power and execution. It portrays a visible and active force.
• “with fury and with wrath and with great indignation” (Hebrew: בְּחֵמָ֧ה וּבְקֶצֶף֙ וּבְחָר֣וֹן אַ֔ף, bechemah uve’qetzeph uvecharon aph) - These are intensifying words for God's anger. ‘Chemah’ often denotes hot anger, ‘qetzep’ denotes fury or indignation, and ‘charon aph’ signifies intense wrath or rage. This tripartite expression highlights the severity and completeness of God’s judgment.

Jeremiah 21 4 Bonus Section

The use of "fire" in "abide in the midst of the fire" is a recurring motif in Scripture for divine judgment and purification, such as in Malachi 3:2 where the Messiah comes like a refiner's fire. However, here it signifies complete devastation, unlike a purifying fire that leaves a remnant. The contrast with Zedekiah's original hope that the siege might be lifted, by sending to Jeremiah, is stark. God's answer redirects this hope into a prophecy of unmitigated doom for those who remain defiant and fight against the appointed instruments of judgment. This passage highlights God’s sovereignty over nations and armies, showing that He can and does use them to carry out His justice upon His own people when they sin grievously.

Jeremiah 21 4 Commentary

This verse unequivocally states that the weapons of war that Jerusalem possesses, those held by its people and army, will be turned against them by God's direct intervention. Instead of successfully defending themselves against the Babylonians (the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans), their own means of warfare will become instruments of their destruction. God will actively bring the enemy into the city, trapping them. The vivid imagery of being struck and made to "abide in the midst of the fire" speaks of a complete and devastating destruction, not merely military defeat but utter ruin and suffering. God is not passively allowing this to happen; He is actively orchestrating the events, utilizing His strong hand and outstretched arm, driven by His righteous fury against their sin. This represents the ultimate consequence of their persistent rebellion and the rejection of God’s warnings.