Jeremiah 21:10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

For I have set {H7760} my face {H6440} against this city {H5892} for evil {H7451}, and not for good {H2896}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: it shall be given {H5414} into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and he shall burn {H8313} it with fire {H784}.

For I have determined absolutely that this city will have evil, not good," says ADONAI. "It is going to be handed over to the king of Bavel, and he will burn it to the ground."'

For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it with fire.’

For I have set my face upon this city for evil, and not for good, saith Jehovah: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

Commentary

Jeremiah 21:10 delivers a stark and unyielding pronouncement of divine judgment against Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. This verse is part of a direct message from the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah, who had sought counsel during the Babylonian siege.

Context

At this point in Judah's history, the nation was facing the full force of the Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, sent Pashhur and Zephaniah to Jeremiah, asking him to inquire of the LORD whether God would intervene against Babylon, as He had in times past (Jeremiah 21:2). However, Jeremiah's response, including verse 10, shatters any hope of immediate deliverance. Instead, it confirms that Jerusalem's destruction is not merely a political or military defeat but a direct act of God's judgment against the city for its persistent sin and rebellion against Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse unequivocally states God's decision to bring "evil, and not for good" upon Jerusalem. This highlights the severe consequences of chronic disobedience and idolatry that had plagued Judah for generations.
  • God's Sovereignty: The LORD declares, "I have set my face against this city." This powerful imagery emphasizes God's active and decisive involvement in the historical events. He is not a passive observer but the ultimate orchestrator, even using foreign powers like Babylon (as His instrument of judgment).
  • Irreversible Decree: At this stage, God's judgment is presented as final and irreversible. The city "shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire," leaving no room for negotiation or escape for the city itself.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I have set my face against this city" is a powerful Hebrew idiom (natan panim), signifying a firm, unwavering resolve and determined opposition. It implies God's full attention and intentionality are directed towards bringing about this judgment. It's not a casual decision but a solemn, purposeful act, underscoring the severity of Jerusalem's rebellion.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 21:10 serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the seriousness of sin. While God is merciful and long-suffering, there comes a point when His patience gives way to righteous judgment. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Take God's Warnings Seriously: The consequences of persistent disobedience are real. God's word, whether of blessing or judgment, is dependable.
  • Understand Divine Sovereignty: Even in difficult or destructive events, God remains in control, working out His purposes, sometimes through unexpected means.
  • Appreciate God's Holiness: This passage underscores God's absolute holiness and His inability to tolerate unrepentant sin indefinitely, ultimately leading to restoration for those who turn back, as seen in later prophecies like Jeremiah 29:11.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 44:11

    Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.

  • Jeremiah 44:27

    Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.

  • Amos 9:4

    And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

  • Ezekiel 15:7

    And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.

  • Jeremiah 52:13

    And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:

  • Jeremiah 38:3

    Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.

  • Jeremiah 34:2

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:
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