Jeremiah 21:14
Jeremiah 21:14 in Multiple Translations
I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”
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.
And I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith Jehovah; and I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it shall devour all that is round about her.
I will send punishment on you in keeping with the fruit of your doings, says the Lord: and I will put a fire in her woodlands, burning up everything round about her.
I'm going to punish you as you deserve for what you've done, declares the Lord. I will set your forest on fire and it will burn up everything around you.”
But I will visite you according to the fruite of your workes, saith the Lord, and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall deuoure rounde about it.
And I have laid a charge against you, According to the fruit of your doings, An affirmation of Jehovah, And I have kindled a fire in its forest, And it hath consumed — all its suburbs!
I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings,’ says the LORD; ‘and I will kindle a fire in her forest, and it will devour all that is around her.’”
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 around it.
But I will visit upon 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.
I will punish you for your wicked deeds like you deserve to be punished; It will be as though I will light a fire in your forests that will burn up everything around you!’ ”
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 21:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 21:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֧י
עֲלֵי/כֶ֛ם
כִּ/פְרִ֥י
מַעַלְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
נְאֻם
יְהוָ֑ה
וְ/הִצַּ֤תִּי
אֵשׁ֙
בְּ/יַעְרָ֔/הּ
וְ/אָכְלָ֖ה
כָּל
סְבִיבֶֽי/הָ
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֧י
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
עֲלֵי/כֶ֛ם
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
כִּ/פְרִ֥י
pᵉrîy
H6529
fruit
Prep | N-ms
מַעַלְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
maʻălâl
H4611
deed
N-mp | Suff
נְאֻם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וְ/הִצַּ֤תִּי
yâtsath
H3341
to kindle
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
fire
N-cs
בְּ/יַעְרָ֔/הּ
yaʻar
H3293
Jaar
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/אָכְלָ֖ה
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
סְבִיבֶֽי/הָ
çâbîyb
H5439
around
N-cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 21:14
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֧י
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
עֲלֵי/כֶ֛ם
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כִּ/פְרִ֥י
pᵉrîy
H6529
"fruit"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word means the fruit that comes from the ground or from our actions. It is used in many books, including Genesis and Isaiah, to describe the results of our labor or the consequences of our choices.
Definition: 1) fruit 1a) fruit, produce (of the ground) 1b) fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb) 1c) fruit (of actions) (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: bough, (first-)fruit(-ful), reward. See also: Genesis 1:11; Proverbs 18:20; Psalms 1:3.
מַעַלְלֵי/כֶ֖ם
maʻălâl
H4611
"deed"
N-mp | Suff
Maalal means a deed or act, which can be good or bad, such as a practice or invention. It is used in the Bible to describe human actions and their consequences. This term is found in various biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) deed, practice 1a) practice (usually bad) 1b) deeds 1c) acts
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: doing, endeavour, invention, work. See also: Deuteronomy 28:20; Jeremiah 21:12; Psalms 28:4.
נְאֻם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
וְ/הִצַּ֤תִּי
yâtsath
H3341
"to kindle"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
To kindle means to start a fire or burn something, and can also mean to leave something desolate. It appears in various forms, including being kindled or setting something on fire.
Definition: 1) to kindle, burn, set on fire 1a) (Qal) to kindle 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be kindled 1b2) to be left desolate 1c) (Hiphil) to set on fire, kindle
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: burn (up), be desolate, set (on) fire (fire), kindle. See also: Joshua 8:8; Jeremiah 11:16; Isaiah 9:17.
אֵשׁ֙
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
בְּ/יַעְרָ֔/הּ
yaʻar
H3293
"Jaar"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word Yaar refers to a forest or a copse of bushes, and also to a honeycomb. It is associated with Kiriath-jearim, a place name in the Bible. This word is used to describe natural environments.
Definition: honeycomb Another name of qir.yat ye.a.rim (קִרְיַת יְעָרִים "Kiriath-jearim" H7157)
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: (honey-) comb, forest, wood. See also: Deuteronomy 19:5; Isaiah 10:18; Psalms 29:9.
וְ/אָכְלָ֖ה
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
סְבִיבֶֽי/הָ
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
N-cs | Suff
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 21:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 21:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 21:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 21:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 21:14
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 21:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
- Sermons on Jeremiah 21:14
Context — A Message to the House of David
12O house of David, this is what the LORD says: ‘Administer justice every morning, and rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor, or My wrath will go forth like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it because of their evil deeds.
13Behold, I am against you who dwell above the valley, atop the rocky plateau— declares the LORD— you who say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our dwellings?”
14I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 3:10–11 | Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 32:19 | the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:31 | So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 36:19 | Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 52:13 | He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 17:10 | I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. |
| 7 | Isaiah 10:18–19 | The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 20:46–48 | “Son of man, set your face toward the south, preach against it, and prophesy against the forest of the Negev. Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. Then all people will see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it will not be quenched.” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 9:25 | “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised yet uncircumcised: |
| 10 | Galatians 6:7–8 | Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. |
Jeremiah 21:14 Summary
[This verse is saying that God will punish people for the bad things they do, as seen in Jeremiah 21:14. He will send a kind of fire that will destroy everything around them, but this is not just about punishment, it's also about God's desire for justice and righteousness, as seen in Jeremiah 9:24. We can learn from this verse that our actions have consequences, and that we should strive to live a life that is pleasing to God, as seen in Jeremiah 7:23 and Micah 6:8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to punish us as our deeds deserve?
This phrase indicates that God is a just and fair judge, who will reward or punish each person according to their actions, as seen in Jeremiah 21:14 and also in Jeremiah 17:10, where it says that God rewards each person according to their ways and the fruit of their deeds.
What is the fire that God will kindle in the forest?
The fire likely represents God's judgment and wrath, which will consume and destroy everything in its path, as seen in Jeremiah 21:14 and also in Jeremiah 4:4, where God warns of a fire that will burn in His anger.
Why does God say He will kindle a fire in the forest?
God says He will kindle a fire in the forest because the people have refused to obey Him and have instead chosen to do evil, as seen in Jeremiah 21:12-13, where God calls the people to administer justice and rescue the oppressed, but they have refused to listen.
Is this verse still relevant to us today?
Yes, this verse is still relevant to us today, as it reminds us that God is a just and fair judge, who will reward or punish each person according to their actions, as seen in Jeremiah 21:14 and also in Romans 2:6, where it says that God will reward each person according to their works.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can ensure I am living a life that is pleasing to God, so that I will not face His punishment?
- How can I apply the principle of administering justice and rescuing the oppressed, as seen in Jeremiah 21:12, to my own life and community?
- What are some things in my life that I need to surrender to God, so that I can avoid facing His wrath and judgment?
- How can I trust in God's goodness and justice, even when I do not understand what is happening in my life or in the world around me?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 21:14
But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the Lord,.... The situation of their city, and the strength of its fortifications, however sufficient they might be thought to keep
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 21:14
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
I will punish you; in the Hebrew it is, I will visit upon you. God’ s visitations are either of mercy, 106:4, or of judgment; therefore the sense is here rightly given by our translators punish. According to the fruit of your doings; the fruit of men’ s doings is the product of their actions; God punisheth the fruit of our doings. In showing mercy, he acts from prerogative; in punishments, he doth but fill men with their own ways, and give them according to the fruit of their doings; so . I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof; by the forest he either meaneth the forest of Lebanon, or their houses made up of wood cut out of that forest, or their idolatrous groves. And it shall devour all things round about it; and this fire he saith should not determine in the destruction only of this city, but in the total destruction of all the country adjacent to Jerusalem.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
Jeremiah 21:14 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.Ver. 14. But I will punish you.] And if I take you once to do, you are sure of your full payment. Heb., I will visit upon thee according to the fruit of your actions, i.e., I will lay upon you a punishment answerable to your sins; the sin being as the seed, and the punishment as the fruit that cometh of it - q.d., " Ye have sown the wind, and ye shall reap the whirlwind." And I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof,] i.e., In the streets, which stand as thick with houses as the forest of Lebanon doth with trees, and are built with timber fetched from that forest. Puniam vos pro meritis.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
(14) I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof.—The “forest” thus referred to may be either literally the woods, then covering a larger surface than in later times, at Kirjath-jearim (Psalms 132:6; 1 Samuel 7:2), or the wood of the lone wilderness of Ziph (1 Samuel 23:15), or the valley of Rephaim (2 Samuel 5:22), or, figuratively, the royal palace, which, from its cedar columns (1 Kings 7:2; 1 Kings 10:21), was known as “the house of the forest of Lebanon.” (Comp. the comparison of the king’s house to “Gilead and the head of Lebanon,” in Jeremiah 22:6.) The desolation wrought by an invading army such as that of Nebuchadnezzar, cutting down the “choice fir-trees of Lebanon and the forest of Carmel” (2 Kings 19:23), showed itself in this destruction of forests in its most conspicuous form, and explains the comparative scarcity of trees in modern Palestine. So Assur-nasirpal narrates, in the history of his conquests, how he had cut down the pine, box, cypress, and other trees of the forest (Records of the Past, iii. p. 74).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
Verse 14. I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof] I will send destruction into its centre, that shall spread to every part of the circumference, and so consume the whole. The beginning of the thirty-fourth chapter should follow here. See the arrangement on Jeremiah 21:1.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 21:14
14. and I will kindle, etc.] Cp. on Jeremiah 17:27. in her forest] i.e. Jerusalem, which is likened to a forest about to be wholly consumed by fire. For the same figure, representing in that case the people of Israel, cp. Isaiah 9:18. The expression does not mean literal trees, of which there was nothing like a forest in the neighbourhood of the city, but denotes either the houses clustering together like a forest, or, more generally, the beauty and grandeur of the place. Cp. for the general sense note on Gilead, etc. ch. Jeremiah 22:6; also Isaiah 10:34, where Sennacherib, king of Assyria, is likened to “the thickets of the forest,” and to “Lebanon.”
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 21:14
The forest - This suggested to the Jew the idea of everything grand and stately.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:14
14. In answer to the self-secure question of the preceding verse, “Who shall come down against us?” the terrible answer comes, the Lord! The strong city has no defences against Him, and he it is who will accomplish its overthrow.
Sermons on Jeremiah 21:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 3:10 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck discusses the contrasting themes of judgment and hope found in the book of Isaiah. He highlights the corruption and oppression of the leaders of Israel |
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Say Ye to the Righteous, That It Shall Be Well With Him by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that it is always well with the righteous, regardless of their circumstances, whether in prosperity or persecution. He reassures believers that God's promi |
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When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the consequences of continuing in sin and filling up the measure of one's sins, leading to the ultimate wrath of God coming upon them to the uttermo |
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The Inspiration of the Bible, and Its Requirements by B.A. Cundiff | B.A. Cundiff discusses the inspiration behind the Bible, arguing that it could not have been written by wicked men due to its condemnation of wickedness, nor by good men without di |
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Hold Fast Your Title Deed of Faith by Allan Halton | Allan Halton preaches about the day of recompense and vengeance, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God alone and we must not take it into our own hands. He highlights the impor |
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The Certainty of Death by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the certainty of death, emphasizing that all individuals, whether righteous or wicked, will face physical death. He highlights the disti |
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Letter 70 by James Bourne | James Bourne preaches a message of encouragement and warning to a friend facing spiritual attacks, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant and armored in faith even during times of |