Jeremiah 21:3

Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:

Then said ^{H559} Jeremiah ^{H3414} unto them, Thus shall ye say ^{H559} to Zedekiah ^{H6667}:

Yirmeyahu answered them, "Here is what you are to tell Tzidkiyahu:

But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that

Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:

Context of Jeremiah 21:3

Jeremiah 21 opens during a critical period for the Kingdom of Judah. King Zedekiah, the last king before Jerusalem's destruction, sends messengers to the prophet Jeremiah. The city is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, and Zedekiah, in desperation, seeks a word from the Lord, hoping for a miraculous intervention to repel the invaders. This verse, Jeremiah 21:3, marks the beginning of Jeremiah's divine response, delivered through these same messengers back to the king. It underscores Jeremiah's role as God's appointed spokesperson during this time of national crisis and impending judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

Divine Communication: The verse highlights the direct nature of God's communication through His prophet. Jeremiah is not speaking his own words but delivering a precise message from the Lord, emphasizing the phrase "Thus shall ye say." This establishes the divine authority behind the coming pronouncement.
Prophetic Authority: Jeremiah's standing as a true prophet of God is affirmed as he receives and transmits the Lord's message to the highest authority in the land, King Zedekiah. Despite often being rejected, Jeremiah faithfully conveys God's unwavering will, even when it brings a harsh message.
Impending Judgment: While this verse is introductory, it sets the stage for a message of certain judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. Zedekiah's hope for deliverance will be shattered by the Lord's decree that the Babylonians will succeed. This message is a direct consequence of Judah's long-standing rebellion and idolatry, as seen in Jeremiah 19:15.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thus shall ye say" (KJV) is a common prophetic formula in the Old Testament, indicating that the prophet is merely a mouthpiece for God. It emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message, leaving no room for misinterpretation of its source. It is the prophetic equivalent of "Thus saith the Lord," a powerful declaration that often precedes major divine pronouncements and underscores the absolute certainty of the message to follow.

Related Scriptures

For more on King Zedekiah's reign and his interactions with Jeremiah, see Jeremiah 37:17.
The role of Jeremiah as a prophet called to deliver difficult messages is established early in his ministry, such as in Jeremiah 1:7.
The specific details of the Babylonian siege and its ultimate outcome are further elaborated in chapters like Jeremiah 39.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His consistent communication with humanity, even in times of severe judgment. It challenges us to consider our own responsiveness to divine warnings and guidance. Just as Zedekiah sought a word from the Lord, we too should seek God's will, but with a heart prepared to obey, regardless of whether the message is what we want to hear. The faithful delivery of God's word by Jeremiah, despite personal cost, also highlights the importance of courage and integrity for those who speak on God's behalf, and for all believers to discern and adhere to truth.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.