1. verbum quod factum est ad Hieremiam a Domino quando misit ad eum rex Sedecias Phassur filium Melchiæ et Sophoniam filium Maasiæ sacerdotem dicens
2. interroga pro nobis Dominum quia Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis prœliatur adversum nos si forte faciat Dominus nobiscum secundum omnia mirabilia sua et recedat a nobis
3. et dixit Hieremias ad eos sic dicetis Sedeciæ
4. hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israël ecce ego convertam vasa belli quæ in manibus vestris sunt et quibus vos pugnatis adversum regem Babylonis et Chaldeos qui obsident vos in circuitu murorum et congregabo ea in medio civitatis hujus
5. et debellabo ego vos in manu extenta et brachio forti et in furore et in indignatione et in ira grandi
6. et percutiam habitatores civitatis hujus homines et bestiæ pestilentia magna morientur
7. et post hæc ait Dominus dabo Sedeciam regem Juda et servos ejus et populum ejus et qui derelicti sunt in civitate hac a peste et gladio et fame in manu Nabuchodonosor regis Babylonis et in manu inimicorum eorum et in manu quærentium animam eorum et percutiet eos in ore gladii et non movebitur neque parcet nec miserebitur
8. et ad populum hunc dices hæc dicit Dominus ecce ego do coram vobis viam vitæ et viam mortis
9. qui habitaverit in urbe hac morietur gladio et fame et peste qui autem egressus fuerit et transfugerit ad Chaldeos qui obsident vos vivet et erit ei anima sua quasi spolium
10. posui enim faciem meam super civitatem hanc in malum et non in bonum ait Dominus in manu regis Babylonis dabitur et exuret eam igni
11. et domui regis Juda audite verbum Domini
12. domus David hæc dicit Dominus judicate mane judicium et eruite vi oppressum de manu calumniantis ne forte egrediatur ut ignis indignatio mea et succendatur et non sit qui extinguat propter malitiam studiorum vestrorum
13. ecce ego ad te habitatricem vallis solidæ atque campestris ait Dominus qui dicitis quis percutiet nos et quis ingredietur domos nostras
14. et visitabo super vos juxta fructum studiorum vestrorum dicit Dominus et succendam ignem in saltu ejus et devorabit omnia in circuitu ejus
Footnotes:
21:1-2 - King Zedekiah turns to Jeremiah for guidance, seeking God's answer regarding Jerusalem's impending destruction. The failure of rulers to turn to God is a recurring theme, demonstrating that relying on human power in times of crisis is ineffective (see also 2 Chronicles 36:12 and Psalm 118:8-9).
21:3-7 - God reveals to Zedekiah that the destruction of Jerusalem will be inevitable, with the sword, famine, and pestilence. This message highlights the seriousness of divine judgment and the reality of the consequences of sin and disobedience (see also Ezekiel 7:3 and Matthew 24:2).
21:8-10 - God offers the people a choice: life through surrender to Babylon or death through resistance. This reveals God's grace, even in a time of judgment, by giving the people the opportunity to choose peace (see also Deuteronomy 30:19-20 and Luke 13:34-35).
21:11-14 - God's message to the royal house of David is clear: if they are righteous, God will protect Jerusalem, but if they persist in evil, Jerusalem will be destroyed. The responsibility of leaders is central to the spiritual and physical well-being of the people (see also Isaiah 1:16-17 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Verses related to Liber Ieremiae, 21:
Jeremiah chapter 21 brings the divine response to King Zedekiah's request. What hope remains for Jerusalem? This crucial text marks the beginning of the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies, with the Babylonians besieging the city. The chapter presents the difficult path of surrender as the only option for survival. Jeremiah 21 also emphasizes the responsibility of leadership and the inevitability of divine judgment. Examine with us five biblical passages that correlate with the powerful themes of this decisive chapter.
2 Kings 25:1-2: "In the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. He camped in front of the city and built attack ramps around it. The city was besieged until the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign." - This passage describes the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 21 about the siege of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 12:13: "I will spread my net, and he will be caught in my snare; I will take him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and there he will die." - Ezekiel prophesies about Zedekiah's fate, complementing Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 21.
Deuteronomy 30:15-19: "See that today I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, decrees, and ordinances; then you will have life and increase in number, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to take possession of..." - This passage echoes the theme of choice between life and death presented by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 21:8-9.
Proverbs 1:31: "Therefore they will eat the fruit of their conduct and be satisfied with their own schemes." - This proverb reflects the principle of reaping the consequences of one's actions, a theme present in Jeremiah 21.
Isaiah 30:15: "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you were unwilling.'" - This passage from Isaiah echoes the call to repentance and the promise of salvation present in Jeremiah 21.
FAQ:
What was God's message to King Zedekiah?
God announced that He would deliver Jerusalem into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, because of the sins of the people. Judgment was inevitable. (Jeremiah 21:3-7)
What did God say about those who remained in Jerusalem?
God declared that whoever remained in the city would die by the sword, famine, or plague, but whoever surrendered to the Babylonians would live. (Jeremiah 21:8-10)
How would God judge the house of the king of Judah?
God commanded them to practice justice, for His wrath would come like a fire against the king's injustice and oppression. (Jeremiah 21:11-12)
Why would Jerusalem be destroyed?
Because of the people’s rebellion and pride, God allowed their enemies to attack and destroy the city. (Jeremiah 21:13-14)
What does the "way of life" and the "way of death" mean in Jeremiah 21?
God offered a choice: flee and live or resist and die, highlighting the consequences of disobedience. (Jeremiah 21:8-9)
