Jeremiah 21:6

KJV

And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will smite {H5221} the inhabitants {H3427} of this city {H5892}, both man {H120} and beast {H929}: they shall die {H4191} of a great {H1419} pestilence {H1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will strike the inhabitants of this city, humans and animals alike, and they will die of a terrible plague.

Berean Standard Bible

I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’

American Standard Version

And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 21:6 delivers a stark prophetic declaration from the Lord, announcing an inescapable and devastating judgment upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In response to King Zedekiah's inquiry for divine intervention against the besieging Babylonians, God reveals His active role in the city's downfall, declaring that He Himself will unleash a "great pestilence" that will indiscriminately consume both people and animals within its walls, signifying a comprehensive and inescapable divine retribution.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a direct and pivotal prophetic message from Yahweh, delivered through Jeremiah to King Zedekiah. The immediate preceding verses (Jeremiah 21:1-5) establish the setting: Zedekiah, facing the imminent threat of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, sends messengers to Jeremiah, hoping for a miraculous deliverance reminiscent of past divine interventions. However, God's response, beginning in Jeremiah 21:3 and culminating in the grim pronouncements of verses 4-7, shatters any such hope. Instead of fighting for Judah, God declares He will fight *against* Jerusalem, turning the weapons of its defenders back upon them and delivering the city into the hands of the Babylonians. Jeremiah 21:6 specifically details one of the three primary instruments of this divine judgment—pestilence—alongside the sword and famine mentioned elsewhere in Jeremiah's prophecies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 21 is situated during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, likely around 588-586 BC. King Zedekiah was a vassal king installed by Nebuchadnezzar, but he had rebelled against Babylon, leading to this devastating siege. The people of Judah, particularly those in Jerusalem, were living in a state of desperation, clinging to false hopes of divine rescue, often fueled by false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's message of surrender. Culturally, pestilence was understood as a direct act of divine judgment, a common motif in ancient Near Eastern thought and biblical narratives. This understanding is reflected in the Mosaic covenant, where plagues were threatened as consequences for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). The mention of "man and beast" dying together underscores the total devastation, as the loss of livestock was an economic and existential catastrophe for an agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 21:6 powerfully underscores several key themes pervasive in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing God's active and sovereign role in history, particularly in bringing consequences for covenant infidelity. The verse highlights the **Severity of Disobedience**, demonstrating that Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God's commands had reached a point of no return, leading to an irreversible outpouring of divine wrath. This judgment is comprehensive, affecting "both man and beast," illustrating the **Total Scope of Calamity** that befalls a nation under God's righteous anger. Furthermore, it reinforces the recurring prophetic motif of **Pestilence as a Divine Instrument**, often alongside the sword and famine, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God's Refusal to Hear"). The prophecy also speaks to the **Futility of False Hope**, as Zedekiah's plea for a miraculous deliverance is met not with rescue but with a reaffirmation of the predetermined judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **smite (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** From H5221, this primitive root means "to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively); beat, kill, make (slaughter), slay, wound." In this context, it signifies a decisive, forceful, and destructive blow, directly from God's hand, indicating His active agency in the judgment. It's not a passive allowance but an intentional infliction of harm.
* **inhabitants (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** From H3427, meaning "to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle." While it refers to those who "dwell" in the city, the context of being "smitten" implies that their settled state will be violently disrupted, leading to their demise. It emphasizes the specific target of the judgment: those who have made their home in Jerusalem.
* **pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** From H1698, derived from a root meaning "to destroy," this word refers to "a pestilence; murrain, plague." It denotes a widespread, often rapidly fatal epidemic disease, consistently depicted in the Old Testament as a direct instrument of divine wrath, bringing indiscriminate death and destruction. Its pairing with "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl'_) underscores its overwhelming magnitude and severity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will smite the inhabitants of this city":** This clause immediately establishes Yahweh as the active agent of judgment ("I will smite"). The target is specific: "the inhabitants of this city" (Jerusalem), indicating that God's wrath is directed precisely at those who have defied Him within His chosen city. The verb "smite" (nâkâh) carries a strong connotation of a decisive, destructive blow.
* **"both man and beast":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of the impending judgment. It signifies that the devastation will be total, affecting all living things within the city walls, not just the soldiers or specific segments of the population. The inclusion of animals highlights the utter desolation and the complete disruption of life and livelihood.
* **"they shall die of a great pestilence":** This final clause specifies the primary means of death—a "great pestilence." The word "great" (gâdôwl) intensifies the severity of the plague, indicating an epidemic of immense scale and lethality. This pestilence is not a natural disaster but a divinely ordained instrument, ensuring widespread death as a direct consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion and sin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 21:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its grim message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, as the phrase "both man and beast" dying of a "great pestilence" vividly exaggerates the scope of destruction to emphasize its totality and the sheer number of casualties. This is not merely a few sick individuals but a sweeping, indiscriminate plague. **Personification** is subtly present in the declaration "I will smite," where God is depicted as personally delivering the blow, rather than merely allowing events to unfold, underscoring His direct agency and active wrath. The use of **Foreshadowing** is also evident; this specific prophecy of pestilence, alongside famine and the sword, serves as a grim preview of the eventual fall of Jerusalem and the suffering endured by its inhabitants. Finally, the stark, declarative language creates a tone of **Irony**, as Zedekiah's hope for divine intervention is met with a divine declaration of judgment against them, turning their expectation of salvation on its head.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 21:6 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, the consequences of covenant disobedience, and God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not only merciful but also righteous in judgment, holding His people accountable for their persistent rebellion and idolatry. This verse serves as a sober reminder that while God is patient, there is a limit to His forbearance when His warnings are repeatedly ignored and His covenant is broken. The "great pestilence" is not a random calamity but a direct, intentional act of God, fulfilling the curses outlined in the covenant for disobedience, demonstrating that God's word, whether of blessing or curse, is always fulfilled.

* [Leviticus 26:25](/leviticus/26-25 "Leviticus 26:25 - Curses for Disobedience, including Pestilence")
* [Deuteronomy 28:21](/deuteronomy/28-21 "Deuteronomy 28:21 - The Lord will send pestilence")
* [Ezekiel 5:12](/ekekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - A Third to Die by Pestilence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 21:6, while depicting a severe historical judgment, offers timeless principles for contemporary reflection. It reminds us of the profound seriousness of sin and the ultimate consequences of persistent rebellion against God's revealed will. In a world that often downplays moral accountability, this verse stands as a stark testament to God's holiness and justice, demonstrating that He is not indifferent to human choices. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the underlying principle remains: actions have consequences, and disregard for God's truth can lead to spiritual and sometimes even tangible devastation. This passage calls us to sober self-examination, to consider if there are areas in our lives where we are resisting God's warnings or clinging to false hopes instead of embracing His truth. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility, repentance, and obedience, recognizing God's sovereignty over all circumstances, including the difficult ones.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's judgment in Jeremiah 21:6 deepen your appreciation for His mercy and grace in the New Covenant?**
* **What "false hopes" or self-deceptions might we cling to today that prevent us from fully embracing God's truth and responding to His call for repentance?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to ignore or rationalize warnings from God's Word, similar to the inhabitants of Jerusalem?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of this judgment ("both man and beast") impress upon you the gravity of sin against a holy God?**

### FAQ
**Was the "great pestilence" in Jeremiah 21:6 a literal plague, or a metaphorical description of widespread death?**

Answer: The "great pestilence" (Hebrew: _deber_) in Jeremiah 21:6 is consistently understood in biblical scholarship as a literal, widespread epidemic disease. Throughout the Old Testament, pestilence is presented as one of the three primary instruments of divine judgment, alongside famine and the sword (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - Sword, Famine, and Pestilence")). Historical accounts and archaeological evidence from the ancient Near East confirm the devastating impact of such plagues. The phrase "both man and beast" further emphasizes the indiscriminate and comprehensive nature of a literal epidemic, which would affect all living beings in a confined city under siege. Therefore, it refers to a real, physical plague unleashed by God as part of His judgment against Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 21:6 speaks of a severe judgment against a rebellious people, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies not in a direct parallel of judgment, but in the radical contrast and ultimate solution provided by Jesus Christ. The "great pestilence" represents the destructive power of sin and the just wrath of God against it, leading to death for "both man and beast." In Christ, we see God's answer to this pervasive spiritual "pestilence" of sin. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's wrath and the consequences of humanity's sin on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that cleanses us from spiritual death. He did not bring pestilence but healing, offering eternal life to those who believe, as declared in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God so loved the world"). Furthermore, the judgment against Jerusalem foreshadows the ultimate judgment to come, but for believers, Christ has already endured that judgment on their behalf, offering a pathway to reconciliation and peace with God, as articulated in [Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justified by Faith"). Thus, Jeremiah 21:6, in its stark portrayal of divine justice against sin, magnifies the boundless grace and redemptive power found in Jesus, who delivers us from the ultimate pestilence of spiritual death.

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

Jeremiah 12:3

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Jeremiah 12:4

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

Ezekiel 14:19

Or [if] I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:

Ezekiel 14:13

Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

Ezekiel 14:21

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Ezekiel 14:17

Or [if] I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:

Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,