Jeremiah 21:13

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?'

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 21:13 delivers a stark divine declaration of judgment against Jerusalem, exposing the city's profound and misplaced confidence in its formidable geographical defenses rather than in the sovereign Lord. This verse, part of a direct prophecy to King Zedekiah during the Babylonian siege, underscores God's direct opposition to His rebellious people, highlighting their arrogant self-assurance that no enemy could penetrate their seemingly impregnable "valley" and "rock" strongholds. It reveals that the very source of their human pride would become the target of divine wrath, shattering their illusion of invincibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 21:13 is embedded within a specific prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 21:1-14) delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah. The chapter opens with Zedekiah sending messengers to Jeremiah, desperately seeking a divine intervention to repel the besieging Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, as detailed in [Jeremiah 21:2](/jeremiah/21-2 "Jeremiah 21:2 - King Zedekiah's Plea for Deliverance"). However, Jeremiah's response, beginning in [Jeremiah 21:4](/jeremiah/21-4 "Jeremiah 21:4 - God's Declaration of War Against Jerusalem"), is not one of hope for deliverance but a devastating message of God's direct opposition to Judah. The Lord declares that He Himself will fight against Jerusalem, turning the Babylonians into instruments of His wrath. Verse 13 specifically addresses Jerusalem's arrogant defiance and misplaced trust in its physical defenses, which is a direct affront to God's declared intent to destroy the city. The subsequent verses (Jeremiah 21:14) promise the fulfillment of this judgment through fire, emphasizing the certainty and totality of the impending destruction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy unfolds during the final, desperate days of the Kingdom of Judah, specifically around 588-586 BCE, as Jerusalem was under a prolonged and brutal siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces. Jerusalem was renowned for its strategic location and strong fortifications, built upon a series of hills and surrounded by deep valleys (like the Kidron and Hinnom valleys), giving its inhabitants a profound sense of impregnability. The city's natural topography, combined with its impressive walls, fostered a cultural mindset of invincibility, leading its people to believe that no army could "come down against" them or "enter into their habitations." This confidence was rooted in their physical defenses and perhaps a misinterpretation of God's past protection, rather than in genuine repentance and obedience to the Lord. Their boastful rhetoric reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of cities priding themselves on their perceived invulnerability.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 21:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing that the impending destruction of Jerusalem is not merely a geopolitical outcome but a direct, righteous act of God against His unfaithful people, as consistently warned throughout the book (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1-15 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon")). Secondly, it exposes **False Security and Pride**, revealing the profound arrogance and misplaced trust of Judah's inhabitants in their physical defenses rather than in the Lord. Their defiant rhetorical questions betray a spiritual blindness, a theme consistently warned against throughout Scripture, as seen in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Sovereignty of God**, asserting His ultimate authority over nations and human endeavors; no human fortification or strategic advantage can withstand His determined will, a truth echoed in [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Rebellion**, demonstrating that Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience have led directly to this divine opposition and impending catastrophe, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **inhabitant (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From the primitive root H3427, meaning "to sit down," "to dwell," or "to remain." In this context, it refers to the settled residents of Jerusalem, emphasizing their perceived permanence and security within their fortified city. It highlights the people's complacency and their false sense of immovability, contrasting sharply with the impending divine upheaval that will dislodge them from their homes.
* **rock (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** From H6697, properly, a cliff or sharp rock, often used figuratively for a refuge or strength. Here, it vividly describes Jerusalem's natural defenses—its elevated, rocky terrain—which the inhabitants believed made their city impregnable. This word underscores their trust in physical fortifications, a trust that is about to be shattered by the Lord Himself, who is the true "rock" and refuge for His people.
* **habitations (Hebrew, _mᵉʻôwnâh'_):** From H4585, an abode, dwelling place, or refuge. This term denotes the homes, secure places, and private sanctuaries within the city. The rhetorical question "who shall enter into our habitations?" expresses the citizens' defiant confidence that their personal spaces and the city as a whole are inviolable, protected by their formidable defenses and perceived divine favor. It speaks to their deep-seated sense of security in their physical dwellings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD;":** This opening declaration is a direct, confrontational statement from Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the covenant God of Israel. The phrase "Behold, I am against thee" immediately establishes God as the primary antagonist, not merely the Babylonians, signifying that the impending destruction is a divine act of judgment. The descriptive phrases "O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain" are ironic and condemnatory epithets for Jerusalem, highlighting the very geographical features in which the city placed its misplaced trust. The divine pronouncement "saith the LORD" (from H5002, _nᵉʼum_, an oracle) authenticates the message as an unalterable, sovereign decree, emphasizing its certainty and divine origin and underscoring that this is not a human prediction but a divine verdict.
* **"which say, Who shall come down against us?":** This clause reveals the arrogant and defiant mindset of Jerusalem's inhabitants, stemming from their misplaced confidence. Their rhetorical question, using the verb "come down" (H5181, _nâchath_, to sink or descend), is not a genuine inquiry but a boastful challenge, expressing their absolute confidence in their city's impregnability due to its elevated and fortified position. It signifies their spiritual blindness and their refusal to acknowledge God's impending judgment, demonstrating a profound disconnect between their human assessment of security and divine reality.
* **"or who shall enter into our habitations?":** This continues the defiant boast, further emphasizing their belief that their private dwellings (H4585, _mᵉʻôwnâh_) and the city as a whole are secure from any external threat. The verb "enter" (H935, _bôwʼ_, to go or come) highlights their conviction that no enemy could penetrate their secure spaces. It underscores their deep-seated pride and false sense of security, directly contrasting with the Lord's declaration of being "against" them. This question reveals a people who believed their physical defenses were impenetrable, making them impervious to divine wrath or human invasion.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 21:13 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is **Irony**, as God declares Himself "against" the very city that boasts of its impregnability. The inhabitants' confidence in their "rock" and "habitations" is ironically met by the true Rock and Lord of all creation declaring war against them. The terms "inhabitant of the valley" and "rock of the plain" are a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the geographical features stand in for the city of Jerusalem itself, highlighting its perceived defensive strengths and the people's identification with these strengths. The phrase "which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?" employs **Rhetorical Questions**. These are not questions seeking information but expressions of defiant confidence and spiritual blindness, showcasing the inhabitants' arrogant self-assurance and their underestimation of divine power. The entire verse also embodies **Divine Anthropomorphism** in God's declaration of being "against" them, portraying Him as a warrior directly opposing their rebellion and shattering their false security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 21:13 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true security and the devastating consequences of spiritual pride. It asserts unequivocally that no human fortification, strategic advantage, or self-assured boasting can withstand the sovereign will and righteous judgment of God. The inhabitants of Jerusalem had placed their ultimate trust in their physical defenses, forgetting that their true protection lay in their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their obedience to His commands. This verse powerfully demonstrates that when a people turn away from God, even their most formidable strengths become vulnerabilities in the face of His determined opposition. It underscores the biblical principle that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, and that genuine security is found only in Him, not in human constructs or self-reliance. It is a stark reminder that the Lord alone is the ultimate refuge.
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Trust in Horses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 21:13 offers a timeless and sobering warning for believers today, prompting us to critically examine the foundations of our own security and confidence. In a world that often encourages self-reliance and trust in material or intellectual achievements, this verse reminds us that true safety and well-being are found solely in God. It challenges us to discern where our ultimate trust lies: in our financial stability, professional success, personal abilities, social standing, or in the unfailing provision and protection of the Almighty. When we become overly confident in our own strengths or circumstances, we risk developing a spiritual arrogance that blinds us to God's warnings and His righteous demands. This passage calls us to humility, recognizing that even difficulties or adversities in our lives can be God's loving, though painful, means of discipline, designed to call us back into a deeper, more dependent relationship with Him. It compels us to repent of any self-sufficiency and to anchor our hope firmly in the Lord, for He alone is our impregnable fortress.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily place my trust for security and well-being in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting spiritual arrogance or misplaced confidence, similar to Jerusalem's inhabitants?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty over all human endeavors and defenses?**
* **What might God be trying to teach me through difficult circumstances, and how can I respond with humility and repentance rather than defiance?**

### FAQ

**What does the phrase "inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain" signify about Jerusalem?**

Answer: This phrase, used by the Lord to address Jerusalem, is deeply significant and somewhat ironic. While Jerusalem is famously built on mountains, it also incorporates deep valleys (like the Kidron and Hinnom) and is situated on a high plateau or "plain" (the Hebrew _mishor_ can refer to a level tableland or high ground overlooking a plain). The terms emphasize Jerusalem's perceived natural and man-made defensive strengths. The "rock" refers to its elevated, fortified position, making it seem unassailable. The "valley" might refer to the people living within the protective embrace of these natural defenses, or the low-lying areas within the city's overall defensive posture. The phrase collectively highlights the city's geographical advantages, which its inhabitants believed made them impervious to attack, leading to their defiant boast, "Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?" The divine use of these terms underscores that the very things they trusted in would be rendered useless by God's judgment, as seen in [Jeremiah 21:4-7](/jeremiah/21-4-7 "Jeremiah 21:4-7 - God's Judgment on Jerusalem"). It serves as a powerful indictment of their misplaced confidence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 21:13, with its declaration of divine judgment against a city trusting in its physical defenses, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the destruction of a physical city, but in the establishment of a new, spiritual kingdom whose security rests solely on Christ. The Jerusalem of Jeremiah's day trusted in its "rock" and "habitations," but Jesus declared that He would build His church, and the "gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")). This new "habitation" is not built with hands but is a spiritual dwelling, a community of believers whose security is found in the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") rather than in earthly walls or human might. Just as the old covenant Jerusalem's false security was shattered, so too was the temple, the center of its religious life, ultimately destroyed, signaling the end of an era reliant on physical structures and the dawn of a new covenant where God dwells among His people through the Spirit ([John 4:21-24](/john/4-21-24 "John 4:21-24 - True Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Jesus Himself becomes the true "rock" ([1 Corinthians 10:4](/1_corinthians/10-4 "1 Corinthians 10:4 - Christ, the Spiritual Rock")) and refuge for His people, a "strong tower" ([Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")) against whom no enemy can prevail, offering a security far greater and more enduring than any earthly fortification. In Christ, believers find their ultimate dwelling place and an unshakeable refuge from all spiritual and temporal threats, a security that transcends all human defenses.

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

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?