Jeremiah 21:3
Jeremiah 21:3 in Multiple Translations
But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that
¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
Then Jeremiah said to them, This is what you are to say to Zedekiah:
But Jeremiah replied, “Tell Zedekiah this:
Then said Ieremiah, Thus shall you say to Zedekiah,
And Jeremiah saith unto them, 'Thus do ye say unto Zedekiah,
Then Jeremiah said to them, “Tell Zedekiah:
Then said Jeremiah to them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
And Jeremias said to them: Thus shall you say to Sedecias:
I replied to them, “Go back to King Zedekiah. Tell him,
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 21:3
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 21:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
כֹּ֥ה
תֹאמְרֻ֖/ן
אֶל
צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
Yirmᵉyâh
H3414
Jeremiah
N-proper
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
כֹּ֥ה
kôh
H3541
thus
Adv
תֹאמְרֻ֖/ן
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ
Tsidqîyâh
H6667
Zedekiah
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 21:3
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
Yirmᵉyâh
H3414
"Jeremiah"
N-proper
Jeremiah means whom Jehovah has appointed, a major prophet and author of the book of Jeremiah. He was the son of Hilkiah and a priest from Anathoth.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.35.3; son of: Habazziniah (H2262); father of: Jaazaniah (H2970) § Jeremiah = "whom Jehovah has appointed" 1) the major prophet, son of Hilkiah of the priestly family in Anathoth; author of the prophetic book bearing his name 2) a man of Libnah and father of Hamutal the wife of king Josiah 3) a Gadite who joined David at Ziklag 4) a Manassehite, one of the mighty men of valour of the Transjordanic half tribe of Manasseh 5) a Gadite and warrior of David 6) a warrior of David 7) a priest who joined Nehemiah in the covenant ceremony 8) a priest also in the time of Nehemiah; maybe same as 7 9) father of Jaazaniah the Rechabites
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: Jeremiah. See also: 2 Kings 23:31; Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 1:1.
אֲלֵי/הֶ֑ם
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כֹּ֥ה
kôh
H3541
"thus"
Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
תֹאמְרֻ֖/ן
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ
Tsidqîyâh
H6667
"Zedekiah"
N-proper
Zedekiah means Jehovah is righteous, the name of six Israelites including the last king of Judah, as seen in Jeremiah 36:12. He was renamed by Nebuchadnezzar and son of Josiah. Zedekiah was a significant figure in the Divided Monarchy period.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.36.12; son of: Hananiah (H2608M) § Zedekiah = "Jehovah is righteous" 1) the last king of Judah renamed from 'Mattaniah' by Nebuchadnezzar; son of Josiah by wife Hamutal; placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar when he carried his nephew Jehoiakim in captivity 2) false prophet at the court of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel 3) son of Maaseiah, a false prophet in Babylon 4) son of Hananiah, one of the princes of Judah in the time of Jeremiah 5) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah 6) son of king Jehoiakim of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Zedekiah, Zidkijah. See also: 1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 34:6; Jeremiah 1:3.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 21:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jerusalem Will Fall to Babylon
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said,
2“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”
3But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that
4this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city. 5And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath.Jeremiah 21:3 Summary
Jeremiah 21:3 shows us that Jeremiah is about to give a message from the Lord to King Zedekiah, which will be a difficult truth to hear. This verse reminds us that God's prophets often spoke hard truths to leaders, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:1-31 and 2 Samuel 12:1-14. Just like Jeremiah, we can trust in the Lord's sovereignty and speak the truth, even when it's hard, as encouraged in Matthew 10:28 and Acts 4:29. By trusting in God's plan, we can find peace and guidance, even in difficult situations, as promised in Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 26:3-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did King Zedekiah send messengers to Jeremiah?
King Zedekiah sent messengers to Jeremiah to ask for the prophet's prayer and guidance during a time of war with Babylon, as seen in Jeremiah 21:1-2, hoping for a miracle like those in the past, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:13-31.
What was Jeremiah's role in this situation?
Jeremiah was acting as a prophet, receiving a message from the Lord to deliver to King Zedekiah, similar to other prophets like Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1-13 or Ezekiel in Ezekiel 1:1-3.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Jeremiah 21?
This verse is a pivotal moment in Jeremiah 21, as it sets the stage for the Lord's message to King Zedekiah, which is one of judgment and warning, as seen in Jeremiah 21:4-5, and is consistent with other warnings in Jeremiah 7:1-20 and Jeremiah 25:1-14.
What can we learn from Jeremiah's response to the king's messengers?
Jeremiah's response shows that he is committed to speaking the truth, even if it is difficult, as seen in Jeremiah 1:17-19, and trusts in the Lord's sovereignty, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have sought God's guidance, and how did I respond to His answer?
- How can I, like Jeremiah, trust in the Lord's sovereignty and speak the truth, even in difficult situations, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:10-20?
- What are some ways that I can apply the principle of trusting in the Lord's sovereignty, as seen in Jeremiah 21:3, to my everyday life, such as in my relationships or work?
- How can I balance the desire for a miracle or a specific outcome with the need to trust in God's plan, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 21:3
Then said Jeremiah unto them,.... The two priests, Pashur and Zephaniah, after he had sought the Lord, and knew his mind and will: thus shall ye say to Zedekiah; by whom they were sent.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 21:3
Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah: No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 21:3
Jeremiah 21:3 Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:Ver. 3. Then said Jeremiah unto them.] He answereth them modestly, and without insultation; but freely and boldly, as a man of a heroic spirit, and the messenger of the King of kings.