Jeremiah 18:21

KJV

Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their [blood] by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and [be] widows; and let their men be put to death; [let] their young men [be] slain by the sword in battle.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore deliver up {H5414} their children {H1121} to the famine {H7458}, and pour out {H5064} their blood by the force {H3027} of the sword {H2719}; and let their wives {H802} be bereaved {H7909} of their children, and be widows {H490}; and let their men {H582} be put {H2026} to death {H4194}; let their young men {H970} be slain {H5221} by the sword {H2719} in battle {H4421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, hand their sons over to famine, hurl them into the power of the sword, let their wives be made childless and widows, let their husbands be slain by disease, let their young men be slain by the sword in battle,

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, hand their children over to famine; pour out the power of the sword upon them. Let their wives become childless and widowed; let their husbands be slain by disease, their young men struck down by the sword in battle.

American Standard Version

Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and give them over to the power of the sword; and let their wives become childless, and widows; and let their men be slain of death, and their young men smitten of the sword in battle.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:21 presents a chilling imprecatory prayer from the prophet Jeremiah, calling upon God to unleash severe judgments—famine, death by sword, and widespread bereavement—upon those who relentlessly plotted against him and rejected the divine word he faithfully delivered. This verse is a stark expression of the prophet's profound anguish and a fervent appeal for God's righteous justice to prevail against unrepentant rebellion and active malice directed at His messenger.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 18-20) that follows the powerful **potter's house analogy**. In [Jeremiah 18:1-12](/jeremiah/18 "Jeremiah 18:1-12 - The Potter and the Clay"), God illustrates His sovereign right to build up or tear down nations based on their responsiveness to His word. He warns Judah that their persistent rebellion, despite His gracious warnings, will lead to their destruction. The people's defiant response, "We will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart" ([Jeremiah 18:12](/jeremiah/18-12 "Jeremiah 18:12 - Judah's Stubborn Refusal")), seals their fate. This specific imprecation in [Jeremiah 18:21](/jeremiah/18-21 "Jeremiah 18:21 - Jeremiah's Imprecation") immediately follows the people's plot against Jeremiah himself, where they conspire to destroy his prophetic influence and even his life, saying, "Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah... come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words" ([Jeremiah 18:18](/jeremiah/18-18 "Jeremiah 18:18 - The Plot Against Jeremiah")). Jeremiah's prayer is thus a direct, agonizing response to personal betrayal and the nation's obstinate rejection of God's final warning through him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of Assyrian power and the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Judah, caught between these shifting powers, faced repeated invasions and ultimately, exile. The judgments invoked in [Jeremiah 18:21](/jeremiah/18-21 "Jeremiah 18:21 - Jeremiah's Imprecation")—famine, death by sword, and the devastation of families—were common consequences of warfare and siege in the ancient Near East. These were also explicitly outlined as covenant curses in Mosaic Law, promised to Israel for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). Jeremiah's prayer, while intensely personal, also reflects the broader cultural understanding of divine justice, where societal sin brought about national calamity. Imprecatory prayers were a recognized form of appeal to God for vindication when human justice failed, deeply rooted in the belief that God is righteous and will ultimately punish wickedness.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 18:21](/jeremiah/18-21 "Jeremiah 18:21 - Jeremiah's Imprecation") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the **severity of divine judgment** against persistent sin and rebellion. The graphic depiction of suffering highlights the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's word and persecuting His messengers, reinforcing the theme that God's patience has limits. Secondly, it exemplifies the **prophet's burden and suffering**, revealing the deep emotional and spiritual agony Jeremiah endured as he faithfully delivered unpopular messages and faced intense personal opposition, even death threats, for his obedience. His imprecation is not merely personal vengeance but a cry for God's righteousness to be upheld and for His name to be vindicated. Thirdly, the verse points to the **inevitability of covenant curses** when the covenant people stubbornly refuse to repent, demonstrating that God is faithful to His warnings as much as to His promises. This passage also subtly highlights the **justice of God**, affirming that He will not allow unrighteousness to go unpunished indefinitely, particularly when it involves active opposition to His divine will and His chosen instruments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deliver up (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** H5414. This primitive root means "to give," but with a broad latitude of application, including "to put," "to make," "to appoint," and critically here, "to deliver (up)." In this context, it signifies a complete surrender or handing over of the children to the devastating power of famine. It implies a divine act of relinquishment, where God, in His judgment, withdraws His protective hand and allows the natural consequences of their rebellion to unfold.
* **force (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** H3027. Literally meaning "hand," this primitive word is used with immense variety, both literally and figuratively. Here, in the phrase "by the force of the sword," _yâd_ denotes "power," "means," "dominion," or "agency." It emphasizes that the sword is not just present, but it is the active instrument, empowered to inflict deadly harm. The "hand of the sword" powerfully conveys the instrument's destructive capability and the inescapable nature of the impending violence.
* **sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** H2719. Derived from a root meaning "drought" or "to lay waste," _chereb_ refers to a cutting instrument, specifically a "sword," "knife," or "dagger." It is consistently associated with destruction, warfare, and divine judgment throughout the Old Testament. In this verse, it represents violent death in battle, a common and terrifying instrument of God's wrath against rebellious nations and individuals, signifying total annihilation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore deliver up their children to the famine,"**: This clause immediately establishes the severe nature of the impending judgment. "Therefore" links this consequence directly to the preceding actions of the people: their stubborn refusal to repent and their plot against Jeremiah. The "children" are singled out first, highlighting the devastating impact of famine, which often disproportionately affects the most vulnerable. This is a plea for God to remove His provision and allow the natural consequence of a besieged city or a land under divine curse to take hold.
* **"and pour out their [blood] by the force of the sword;"**: This vivid and violent imagery calls for the shedding of blood, signifying widespread death through military conflict. "Pour out" (H5064, _nâgar_) suggests an abundant, unrestrained flow, emphasizing the sheer volume of lives lost. The "force of the sword" (H3027, _yâd_ H2719, _chereb_) underscores the effectiveness and brutality of the instrument of death, implying a relentless and inescapable slaughter.
* **"and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and [be] widows;"**: The focus shifts to the women, who will suffer the profound grief of losing their children and husbands. "Bereaved of their children" (H7909, _shakkûwl_) emphasizes the unique agony of maternal loss, while "widows" (H490, _ʼalmânâh_) signifies the loss of protection, provision, and social standing in ancient society. This clause highlights the comprehensive societal breakdown and personal tragedy resulting from the judgment.
* **"and let their men be put to death;"**: This is a direct and blunt request for the death of the adult male population. "Put to death" (H2026, _hârag_ H4194, _mâveth_) signifies a complete and decisive end to their lives, likely through execution or general slaughter, ensuring that no active resistance or continuation of their rebellious lineage remains.
* **"[let] their young men [be] slain by the sword in battle."**: This final clause specifically targets the "young men" (H970, _bâchûwr_), the prime fighting force and future generation, ensuring their eradication "by the sword in battle" (H2719, _chereb_ H4421, _milchâmâh_). This emphasizes the military defeat and the complete decimation of the nation's strength and hope for the future, leaving no one to carry on their wicked ways.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the prophet's anguish and the severity of the impending judgment. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, where Jeremiah utters a curse or prayer for divine judgment upon his enemies. This is not a personal vendetta but a prophetic act, appealing to God's justice against those who defy Him and persecute His messenger. The verse also utilizes stark **Imagery** of suffering and death—famine, blood poured out, bereaved wives, slain men and young men—to evoke a visceral sense of the horror and totality of the destruction. **Parallelism** is evident in the repeated structure of clauses detailing different forms of death and loss for various segments of the population (children, wives, men, young men), which amplifies the comprehensive nature of the judgment. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the cumulative effect of these curses, emphasizing the absolute devastation sought, though such outcomes were tragically common in ancient warfare. Finally, **Metonymy** is present in "pour out their blood," where "blood" stands in for "life," signifying the complete taking of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:21, though jarring to modern sensibilities, is profoundly theological. It underscores the biblical truth that God is a God of justice who will not indefinitely tolerate unrepentant sin, especially when it involves active rebellion against His revealed will and persecution of His faithful messengers. This imprecation reflects the prophet's deep agony over the people's hardened hearts and his fervent desire for God's righteousness to be vindicated in the face of flagrant wickedness. It reminds us that while God is merciful and long-suffering, His justice is also an intrinsic part of His character, and there are grave consequences for those who persistently reject His warnings and actively oppose His purposes. The severity of the judgment reflects the gravity of the sin—not merely disobedience, but a deliberate and malicious plot against the very word of God embodied in His prophet.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 109:6](/psalms/109-6 "Psalm 109:6-15 - An Imprecatory Prayer")
* [Nahum 3:10](/nahum/3-10 "Nahum 3:10 - Judgment on Nineveh")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage challenges contemporary believers to grapple with the multifaceted nature of God's character, encompassing both boundless love and unwavering justice. While the New Testament calls us to a higher ethic of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us, understanding Jeremiah's imprecation helps us appreciate the righteous indignation against sin that is also part of God's nature. It compels us to recognize the profound seriousness of rejecting God's word and harming His servants. For those who suffer injustice, this verse can be a reminder that God sees and hears, and He is the ultimate arbiter of justice, even if His timing and methods differ from our immediate desires. It also serves as a sober warning that persistent rebellion against divine truth carries severe consequences, urging us to humble ourselves, repent, and cling to God's mercy rather than presuming upon His patience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's justice in Jeremiah 18:21 shape your view of His character, especially in light of His mercy?**
* **In what ways might a modern believer, living under the New Covenant, express a desire for justice without invoking imprecatory prayers?**
* **What does Jeremiah's profound suffering and his plea for justice reveal about the cost of prophetic obedience and the burden of delivering God's truth?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse advocating for personal vengeance or violence by believers?**

Answer: No, this verse is not advocating for personal vengeance or violence by believers. It is an example of an imprecatory prayer uttered by a prophet under the Old Covenant, appealing to God's divine justice. Jeremiah, as God's appointed messenger, was experiencing severe persecution and betrayal, and his prayer is a cry for God to vindicate His own name and word against those who were actively opposing Him. In the New Testament, believers are explicitly commanded to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), and to "repay no one evil for evil" but to "leave it to the wrath of God" ([Romans 12:17-19](/romans/12-17 "Romans 12:17-19 - Do Not Avenge Yourselves")). Jeremiah's prayer highlights God's ultimate sovereignty as judge, not a call for human retribution.

**How do imprecatory prayers in the Old Testament fit into Christian ethics today?**

Answer: Imprecatory prayers, while jarring, serve several purposes within the biblical narrative and theology. They express a deep longing for God's righteousness to prevail, a recognition of His role as the ultimate judge, and an appeal for justice when human systems fail. For Christians today, they remind us of the seriousness of sin and God's unwavering commitment to justice. However, under the New Covenant, the focus shifts from calling down judgment on enemies to seeking their repentance and salvation, reflecting the redemptive work of Christ. We are called to imitate Christ, who prayed for His persecutors ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness")). While we may express righteous indignation at injustice, our prayers for those who oppose God or us should be for their conversion or for God's perfect justice to be enacted in His own timing, rather than for their destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:21, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment against rebellion and persecution, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the destruction of enemies, but in the Lamb of God who absorbed the full force of God's wrath. The curses of famine, sword, and death, which were the just consequences for sin and covenant breaking, were borne by Jesus Christ on the cross. He became "a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), taking upon Himself the very judgment that humanity deserved. In His suffering, particularly His agony and death, Jesus experienced the ultimate "bereavement" and "slaying" so that those who believe in Him might be spared from the judgments described in Jeremiah. The "blood poured out" is transformed from a symbol of divine wrath to the precious blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - The Cleansing Blood of Jesus")). Therefore, while Jeremiah's prayer reflects a righteous desire for justice against those who rejected God's word, Christ's work on the cross demonstrates God's perfect justice and mercy converging, offering salvation to those who were once His enemies by bearing their judgment Himself ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). The New Testament call to love enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")) is rooted in this Christ-centered reality: because God, in Christ, has dealt with the ultimate enemy—sin and death—we are freed to extend grace and seek the reconciliation of others, rather than their condemnation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 109:9

Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.

Psalms 109:20

[Let] this [be] the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.

Jeremiah 9:21

For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

Deuteronomy 32:25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.

Jeremiah 15:8

Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused [him] to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.

Jeremiah 16:3

For thus saith the LORD concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land;

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.