Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will lay {H5414} stumblingblocks {H4383} before this people {H5971}, and the fathers {H1} and the sons {H1121} together {H3162} shall fall {H3782} upon them; the neighbour {H7934} and his friend {H7453} shall perish {H6}.
Therefore thus says ADONAI: "I will put obstacles in the way of this people that they will stumble over fathers and sons, neighbors and friends, all will perish together."
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”
Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will lay stumbling-blocks before this people; and the fathers and the sons together shall stumble against them; the neighbor and his friend shall perish.
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Isaiah 8:14
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -
Ezekiel 3:20
Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. -
Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness. -
Isaiah 9:14
Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. -
Isaiah 9:17
Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one [is] an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still. -
Romans 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. -
Jeremiah 15:2
And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.
Jeremiah 6:21 KJV delivers a stark prophecy from the Lord, announcing a severe and widespread judgment upon the people of Judah. This verse underscores God's direct involvement in bringing about the consequences of their persistent disobedience.
Context
The prophet Jeremiah was called to deliver God's message of warning and judgment to the southern kingdom of Judah during a period of deep spiritual decline, idolatry, and social injustice, shortly before the Babylonian exile. Chapter 6 specifically portrays Jerusalem as a city ripe for destruction, likened to a besieged city with enemies surrounding it. The people had rejected God's warnings (Jeremiah 6:10) and failed to repent, leading to this declaration of divine retribution. This verse highlights that the impending disaster was not merely a natural consequence of war but a direct act of God's justice against their unfaithfulness.
Key Themes
Divine Judgment and Retribution
The phrase "I will lay stumblingblocks before this people" signifies that God Himself is actively orchestrating the downfall of Judah. These "stumblingblocks" (Hebrew: mikshol) are not accidental obstacles but divinely appointed hindrances and causes of ruin, designed to bring about the promised judgment. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical events and His righteous response to sin. This is a direct consequence of their rejection of His law and prophets, as seen in other warnings throughout Jeremiah, such as their iniquities turning away good things (Jeremiah 5:25).
Universal and Undiscriminating Calamity
The prophecy states that "the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish." This chilling description emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment. No demographic or relational bond would offer protection. The young and old, family members, and even close friends would all suffer the same fate. This highlights the severity and inescapability of God's wrath when a nation persistently turns away from Him, signifying a complete breakdown of society and the absence of refuge.
Linguistic Insight
The Hebrew word for "stumblingblocks," mikshol (מִכְשׁוֹל), is significant. It literally means a snare, trap, or obstacle that causes one to stumble and fall. In a theological context, it often refers to something that leads to moral or spiritual ruin, or a cause of judgment. Here, it underscores that God is deliberately placing these impediments as a means of judgment, indicating that the nation's path to destruction is divinely sanctioned due to their unrepentant sin.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 6:21 serves as a timeless warning about the inevitable consequences of persistent rebellion against God. It reminds us that God is not only loving and merciful but also just, and He will hold individuals and nations accountable for their actions. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of heeding God's word, seeking genuine repentance, and walking in obedience. It also prompts reflection on how our choices, individually and collectively, can lead to either blessings or divine correction. While God's covenant with His people now rests on grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the principle remains that turning away from Him leads to spiritual peril and a life devoid of His guiding hand.