Jeremiah 21:13

Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant {H3427} of the valley {H6010}, and rock {H6697} of the plain {H4334}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; which say {H559}, Who shall come down {H5181} against us? or who shall enter {H935} into our habitations {H4585}?

ADONAI says, "I am against you, [Yerushalayim,] situated in a valley like a rock on a plain. You who say, 'Who can come down against us? Who can enter our lairs?'

Behold, 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?”

Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and of the rock of the plain, saith Jehovah; you that say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

Jeremiah 21:13 delivers a powerful declaration of divine judgment against Jerusalem, highlighting the city's misplaced confidence in its physical defenses. This verse is part of a larger prophecy given by Jeremiah to King Zedekiah during the Babylonian siege.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is spoken by the prophet Jeremiah during a critical period in Judah's history, specifically when Jerusalem was under siege by the mighty Babylonian army led by Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah had sent messengers to Jeremiah, hoping the Lord would perform a miracle to turn back the Babylonians (Jeremiah 21:2). However, Jeremiah's response, beginning in Jeremiah 21:4, was a stark message of God's direct opposition. Jerusalem was renowned for its strong fortifications, built upon hills and surrounded by valleys, giving its inhabitants a false sense of impregnability. The phrases "inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain" likely refer to Jerusalem itself, emphasizing its strategic yet ultimately vulnerable position in the eyes of God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The opening declaration, "Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD," underscores that the impending destruction is not merely a result of human conflict but a direct act of divine judgment against Judah for their unfaithfulness and rebellion.
  • False Security and Pride: The people's boast, "Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?", reveals a profound arrogance and a misplaced trust in their city's physical strength and natural defenses rather than in God. This pride precedes their downfall, as warned in Proverbs 16:18.
  • Sovereignty of God: This verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate authority. No human fortification or strategic advantage can stand against the will of the Almighty when He determines to execute judgment.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The siege and the Lord's opposition are direct consequences of Judah's persistent sin and idolatry, a theme consistently highlighted throughout Jeremiah's prophecies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain" (Hebrew: tsur hammishor) vividly describes Jerusalem's geography. While Jerusalem is known for its mountains, it also incorporates significant valleys (like the Kidron and Hinnom valleys) and is situated on a plateau or "plain" (the 'mishor' can refer to a level tableland or high ground overlooking a plain). This imagery emphasizes the city's perceived defensive superiority. The people's rhetorical questions, "Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?", are not genuine inquiries but expressions of defiant confidence, revealing their spiritual blindness to God's impending wrath.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 21:13 serves as a timeless warning against placing our trust in anything other than God. For believers today, this verse prompts us to examine:

  • Where is our security? Do we rely on our wealth, possessions, achievements, or human institutions for our ultimate safety and well-being, or do we truly place our trust in God's provision and protection (Psalm 20:7)?
  • Are we prone to spiritual arrogance? Overconfidence in our own abilities or circumstances can lead to a dangerous disregard for God's warnings and His righteous demands.
  • Understanding Divine Discipline: Sometimes, difficulties or adversities are not random occurrences but serve as God's means of discipline, calling us back to Himself when we have strayed.

This verse reminds us that true security comes only from walking in obedience and faith with the Lord, for no human defense can withstand His sovereign will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Obadiah 1:3

    The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

  • Obadiah 1:4

    Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

  • Lamentations 4:12

    The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

  • Ezekiel 13:8

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Jeremiah 23:30

    Therefore, behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

  • Jeremiah 23:32

    Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 49:4

    Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliding daughter? that trusted in her treasures, [saying], Who shall come unto me?

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