Jeremiah 21:7

KJV

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

KJV (with Strong's)

And afterward {H310}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, I will deliver {H5414} Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and his servants {H5650}, and the people {H5971}, and such as are left {H7604} in this city {H5892} from the pestilence {H1698}, from the sword {H2719}, and from the famine {H7458}, into the hand {H3027} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and into the hand {H3027} of their enemies {H341}, and into the hand {H3027} of those that seek {H1245} their life {H5315}: and he shall smite {H5221} them with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}; he shall not spare {H2347} them, neither have pity {H2550}, nor have mercy {H7355}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Afterwards," says ADONAI "I will hand over Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, his servants, the people, and anyone remaining alive in this city after the plague, war and famine, to N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel and to their enemies, to those who seek their lives; and he will put them to the sword. He will not spare them; he will have no pity, no compassion."'

Berean Standard Bible

‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

American Standard Version

And afterward, saith Jehovah, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, even such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 21:7 is a solemn declaration from the LORD, revealing the inescapable and severe judgment awaiting King Zedekiah, his officials, and the surviving populace of Jerusalem. Despite their hopes for deliverance from the Babylonian siege, God explicitly states He will hand them over to Nebuchadrezzar, who will show no compassion, ensuring their complete destruction by the sword, regardless of their survival from pestilence, famine, or earlier conflict. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to execute justice upon a persistently rebellious Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 21 begins with King Zedekiah sending two officials, Pashhur and Zephaniah, to Jeremiah, inquiring of the LORD regarding Nebuchadrezzar's siege of Jerusalem. Zedekiah hopes for a miraculous intervention, reminiscent of past deliverances (e.g., [Hezekiah's prayer during Sennacherib's siege](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Hezekiah's Prayer and Deliverance")). However, Jeremiah's response, delivered as a direct oracle from the LORD, shatters any such hope. Instead of deliverance, God declares He will fight *against* Jerusalem, turning the weapons of war against its own inhabitants. Verse 7 specifically details the fate of those who might survive the initial onslaught and scourges, emphasizing that their ultimate end will be merciless slaughter at the hands of the Babylonians. This verse serves as a climactic statement of the city's doomed fate, following the general pronouncements of judgment in the preceding verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Jeremiah 21:7 is set during the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon, which culminated in the city's destruction in 586 BC. King Zedekiah, a puppet king installed by Babylon, had rebelled against his overlord, seeking an alliance with Egypt, a move Jeremiah consistently warned against. The "pestilence," "sword," and "famine" mentioned were common scourges of ancient sieges, often leading to more casualties than direct combat. The Babylonians were known for their military prowess and, at times, their ruthlessness in dealing with rebellious cities. The act of "delivering into the hand" signifies a complete transfer of authority and power, a common ancient Near Eastern idiom for subjugation and defeat. For a king to be delivered into the hand of his enemy was the ultimate humiliation and loss of sovereignty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**. The LORD explicitly states, "I will deliver Zedekiah... into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar," demonstrating that Babylon is merely an instrument in God's sovereign plan to punish Judah for its chronic idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This aligns with earlier warnings of covenant curses found in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Inevitability of Consequences for Rebellion**. Despite numerous prophetic warnings and opportunities for repentance, Judah's persistent sin has reached a point of no return, leading to an unsparing judgment. The detailed description of the three scourges (pestilence, sword, famine) and the ultimate merciless end for survivors emphasizes the severity of God's righteous wrath. This dire outcome for Zedekiah is further elaborated in [Jeremiah 39:5-7](/jeremiah/39-5 "Jeremiah 39:5-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This word, repeated three times ("into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar... into the hand of their enemies... into the hand of those that seek their life"), signifies not merely physical possession but complete power, control, and authority. The triple repetition emphasizes the absolute and inescapable surrender of Zedekiah and the people to their adversaries. It underscores the LORD's sovereign act of transference, indicating that the Babylonians are merely instruments in God's ultimate design.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to destroy," this term refers to a plague or murrain, a common and devastating consequence of ancient sieges and warfare. Its inclusion alongside "sword" and "famine" highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment, attacking the city from within through disease, from without through military might, and through internal deprivation. It represents a direct act of divine judgment, often associated with covenant curses.
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _râcham'_):** This primitive root means "to fondle," and by implication, "to love" or "to compassionate." The phrase "he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy" (with "pity" being H2550 _châmal_, also meaning to commiserate or spare, and "spare" being H2347 _chûwç_, to compassionate or regard) forms a powerful triple negation. The explicit absence of _râcham_ emphasizes the utter lack of compassion or clemency from the Babylonian conquerors, reflecting the full measure of God's judgment being poured out without restraint.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy ("saith the LORD"). It identifies the specific targets of the judgment: King Zedekiah, his court ("his servants"), and the general populace, including those who have survived the initial stages of the siege. The phrase "afterward" suggests a subsequent stage of judgment following the initial internal scourges.
* **"from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine":** This specifies the three primary means of destruction that have already afflicted or will continue to afflict the city's inhabitants. These are the internal and external pressures of a prolonged siege, highlighting the dire conditions within Jerusalem.
* **"into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life":** This triple repetition of "into the hand of" powerfully emphasizes the complete and inescapable transfer of control. It identifies the specific instrument of judgment (Nebuchadrezzar) and broadens it to encompass all their adversaries, particularly those intent on their destruction. This signifies total subjugation and loss of sovereignty.
* **"and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy":** This final clause describes the brutal and unsparing execution of judgment. "Smite... with the edge of the sword" indicates a violent, decisive, and widespread slaughter. The concluding triple negation – "he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy" – underscores the absolute lack of compassion or clemency from the Babylonians, reflecting the severity and finality of God's judgment upon a people whose sin had exhausted His patience.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 21:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the anaphora of "into the hand of," which occurs three times. This repetition serves to emphasize the absolute and inescapable transfer of Judah's control and fate from divine sovereignty to the ruthless power of Babylon. The phrase "from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine" also uses **Tricolon** (a series of three parallel words or phrases), creating a sense of comprehensive and overwhelming doom. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy," utilizes **Emphatic Negation** and another **Tricolon**, highlighting the utter absence of compassion. This stark language creates a sense of **Foreshadowing**, painting a grim picture of the impending, unmitigated destruction that awaits the city and its leaders. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Oracle of Judgment**, a direct divine pronouncement of irreversible doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 21:7 stands as a stark testament to God's unwavering justice and sovereignty over human history. It reveals that even the most powerful earthly rulers, like Nebuchadrezzar, are ultimately instruments in the hand of the Almighty, used to execute His righteous judgments against sin and rebellion. The verse underscores the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to God's covenant, demonstrating that divine patience has limits. While God is merciful and slow to anger, His holiness demands that sin be addressed, and when warnings are ignored, judgment will inevitably fall. This passage serves as a sobering reminder that God's word, whether of blessing or curse, will always be fulfilled, and there are times when His people must experience the full weight of their chosen path apart from Him.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Prophecy of Siege and Suffering")
* [Lamentations 2:21-22](/lamentations/2-21 "Lamentations 2:21-22 - The Sword's Unsparing Work")
* [Ezekiel 5:12](/ezekiel/5-12 "Ezekiel 5:12 - Judgment by Pestilence, Famine, and Sword")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 21:7 offers a profound and sobering reflection on the nature of God and the gravity of human sin. It reminds us that while God is infinitely patient and merciful, His justice is equally perfect and unyielding. For the people of Judah, their persistent rebellion against God's covenant and their refusal to heed prophetic warnings led to an inevitable and devastating outcome. For us today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that choices have consequences, and while we live under the glorious new covenant of grace, the principles of sowing and reaping remain. It compels us to examine our own lives for areas of unrepentant sin or spiritual apathy, urging us to respond promptly to God's gentle promptings and warnings. It also fosters a deep appreciation for God's mercy, which, though seemingly absent here, is ultimately revealed in His provision for salvation. This passage calls us to trust in God's sovereignty even amidst difficult circumstances, recognizing that He works all things, even judgment, for His ultimate purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment in Jeremiah 21:7 deepen your understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might we, in our own lives or societies, be prone to ignoring divine warnings, and what might be the potential consequences?**
* **How does the "lack of mercy" from the Babylonians in this verse highlight the preciousness and necessity of God's mercy, which we receive through Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow such a harsh fate for His own people, Zedekiah and Judah?**

Answer: God allowed this harsh fate because of Judah's persistent and unrepentant rebellion against His covenant. Despite repeated warnings through prophets like Jeremiah, the people and their leaders continued in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual apostasy. This judgment was not arbitrary but the culmination of centuries of unfaithfulness, fulfilling the curses outlined in the covenant (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")). God, in His holiness and justice, could not allow sin to go unpunished, even among His chosen people. The severity of the judgment underscores the gravity of their sin and God's unwavering commitment to His righteous character.

**Does this verse mean God is unmerciful?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean God is inherently unmerciful. Rather, it demonstrates that there are limits to His patience when His warnings are continually rejected. The lack of mercy described here is from the *Babylonian* conquerors, whom God used as instruments of His judgment. Throughout the Old Testament, God consistently demonstrates immense mercy and longsuffering (e.g., [Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - The Lord's Compassion")). However, when a people persistently hardens their hearts against Him, His justice must prevail. This passage highlights the *consequences* of rejecting divine mercy, not an absence of mercy in God's character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 21:7, with its stark portrayal of unsparing judgment and the complete absence of human mercy, profoundly underscores the desperate need for a divine deliverer. The fate of Zedekiah and Judah—handed over to their enemies, with no pity or mercy—foreshadows the ultimate human condition apart from God: utterly helpless under the weight of sin and divine wrath. Yet, in Christ, we see the complete reversal of this grim prophecy for those who believe. Jesus, the true King, was not "delivered into the hand" of His enemies by divine judgment for His own sin, but rather, He willingly allowed Himself to be delivered into the hands of sinful men (e.g., [Matthew 26:45](/matthew/26-45 "Matthew 26:45 - Jesus Delivered into Sinful Hands")) to bear the full weight of God's wrath *for us*. On the cross, the Son of God experienced the ultimate lack of sparing, pity, and mercy, taking upon Himself the very judgment that Judah faced, so that those who believe in Him might receive the boundless mercy of God (e.g., [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")). Through His sacrifice, Christ became our ultimate refuge from the pestilence of sin, the sword of judgment, and the famine of spiritual death, offering eternal life and reconciliation where there was only condemnation (e.g., [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")). Thus, Jeremiah 21:7, by showing the depth of human sin and the severity of God's righteous judgment, magnifies the glorious and unmerited mercy found supremely in Jesus Christ, our Lamb of God and perfect Deliverer.

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 37:17

Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there [any] word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Habakkuk 1:6

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, [that] bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces [that are] not theirs.

Habakkuk 1:10

And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.

2 Kings 25:5

And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.

2 Kings 25:7

And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

Ezekiel 7:9

And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.

Ezekiel 17:20

And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.