Jeremiah 9:21

KJV

For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

KJV (with Strong's)

For death {H4194} is come up {H5927} into our windows {H2474}, and is entered {H935} into our palaces {H759}, to cut off {H3772} the children {H5768} from without {H2351}, and the young men {H970} from the streets {H7339}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Death has come up through our windows, it has entered our palaces, it has cut down children in the streets and young people in the public places."

Berean Standard Bible

For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares.

American Standard Version

For death is come up into our windows, it is entered into our palaces; to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:21 delivers a stark prophetic warning, vividly portraying death as an active, invasive force that breaches all societal defenses. It depicts an inescapable judgment sweeping through Judah, penetrating even the most secure and private dwellings, ultimately targeting and eliminating the nation's most vulnerable—its children and young men—thereby signifying a complete societal collapse and the eradication of future hope, a direct consequence of Judah's unrepentant rebellion against God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jeremiah's profound laments and stern prophecies against Judah, particularly in a chapter that mourns the nation's spiritual and moral decay. Jeremiah 9 opens with the prophet expressing deep sorrow over his people's unfaithfulness and deceit, wishing his head were "a spring of tears" to weep over their slain, as seen in [Jeremiah 9:1](/jeremiah/9-1 "Jeremiah 9:1 - Jeremiah's Lament for Judah"). The preceding verses detail Judah's pervasive idolatry, treachery, and refusal to truly know the Lord, a theme emphasized in [Jeremiah 9:3-6](/jeremiah/9-3-6 "Jeremiah 9:3-6 - Judah's Deceit and Rebellion"). The imagery of death invading homes and streets in verse 21 serves as a chilling culmination of the divine judgment promised for such persistent rebellion, directly following warnings of desolation for the land and its inhabitants, as articulated in [Jeremiah 9:11](/jeremiah/9-11 "Jeremiah 9:11 - Desolation of Jerusalem"). It is a direct consequence of Judah's covenant breaking, echoing the severe curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for disobedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE), a period marked by profound political instability, the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and the impending exile. Jerusalem and Judah were caught between the regional superpowers of Egypt and Babylon, often making ill-advised alliances that further alienated them from God's protection. Culturally, Judah had deeply backslid into idolatry, adopting Canaanite religious practices and neglecting the covenant with Yahweh. Socially, there was widespread injustice, deceit, and a disregard for God's laws, even among the religious and political leaders. The imagery of death entering "windows" and "palaces" speaks to a siege scenario, where traditional defenses are useless, and even the most fortified structures and privileged individuals are vulnerable. The "streets" were public gathering places, signifying that no public or private space would be safe from the impending catastrophe, which would manifest as war, famine, and pestilence, common instruments of divine judgment in the ancient Near East.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Pervasive Divine Judgment**, illustrating that God's justice is inescapable and comprehensive, reaching every corner of society, from the common home to the royal palace. This judgment is not arbitrary but is presented as the inevitable **Consequence of Persistent Sin** and unrepentant rebellion against God's covenant, as seen throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon") and the warnings in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Secondly, the specific targeting of "children" and "young men" highlights the tragic theme of the **Annihilation of Future Generations**. This signifies not merely a loss of life but a complete societal breakdown, a severing of the nation's future, and the extinguishing of hope for continuity, emphasizing the utter devastation that Judah's unfaithfulness would bring upon itself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** H4194, from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d). In Jeremiah 9:21, _mâveth_ is profoundly personified, acting as an active, invading entity, not merely a state of being. This personification elevates it from a passive outcome to an aggressive, terrifying agent of divine judgment, emphasizing its relentless and inescapable nature as it sweeps through the land.
* **Come up (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** H5927, a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. The verb _ʻâlâh_ here suggests an unnatural and terrifying ascent, implying that death is not merely present but actively "climbing" or "mounting" over barriers, specifically through windows, to gain access. This active verb underscores the unstoppable, pervasive, and insidious nature of the impending judgment.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** H3772, a primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces); be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. The term _kârath_ is a strong and decisive verb, signifying complete severance, destruction, or annihilation. In this context, it implies a total eradication of the young, not merely death, but a definitive end to their existence and, by extension, the nation's future. Its profound connection to "covenant" (also _kârath_) is deeply ironic, as the breaking of God's covenant by Judah leads directly to the "cutting off" of the people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For death is come up into our windows,"**: This clause introduces the primary agent of destruction, "death," powerfully personified as an active invader. The imagery of death "coming up into our windows" (H2474, _challôwn_, a window as perforated) is particularly chilling. Windows, typically points of light, ventilation, and connection to the outside, become unexpected and vulnerable entry points for the ultimate enemy. This suggests a profound breach of security and privacy, indicating that no domestic space, however intimate or protected, is safe from the impending calamity. It speaks to an unnatural, pervasive, and inescapable judgment that bypasses all conventional defenses.
* **"and is entered into our palaces,"**: Following the invasion of private homes via windows, death proceeds to "enter into our palaces" (H759, _ʼarmôwn_, a citadel or castle from its height). This signifies that neither the common people nor the elite, the poor nor the rich, the weak nor the powerful, are exempt from this judgment. Even the most fortified and privileged segments of society, those who might expect protection due to their status or wealth, are utterly vulnerable. This emphasizes the universality, totality, and indiscriminacy of the divine judgment, which spares no one.
* **"to cut off the children from without,"**: The grim purpose of death's invasion is explicitly stated: "to cut off" (H3772, _kârath_, to destroy or consume) "the children" (H5768, _ʻôwlêl_, a suckling, babe, infant, little one) "from without" (H2351, _chûwts_, outside, outdoors, field, street). This specifies the tragic target: the youngest and most innocent members of society. The phrase "from without" could refer to children playing outside the homes, or more broadly, those who are not yet within the protective confines of adulthood or the home. This highlights the devastating impact on the nation's future and the loss of its most vulnerable members, signifying a profound generational catastrophe.
* **"and the young men from the streets."**: Complementing the previous clause, this specifies the "young men" (H970, _bâchûwr_, properly selected, i.e., a youth, often collective) who are cut off "from the streets" (H7339, _rᵉchôb_, a width, avenue, or area; broad place, street). The "streets" were public gathering places, often bustling with life, commerce, and social interaction. The targeting of young men, who represent the strength, vitality, and future military and economic backbone of the nation, further underscores the complete annihilation of Judah's hope for continuity and survival. The judgment is total, impacting both the nascent and the burgeoning generations, leaving the nation with no future.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its chilling message of impending doom. Foremost is **Personification**, where "death" (מָוֶת, _mâveth_) is not merely an abstract concept or a passive state of being, but an active, malevolent agent. It is depicted as "coming up," "entering," and "cutting off," actions typically attributed to a living, intentional being. This personification intensifies the sense of terror and inevitability, making death an unstoppable, relentless invader rather than a natural end. The verse also utilizes vivid **Imagery**, painting a stark and terrifying picture of the invasion: death scaling windows, breaching the walls of palaces, and sweeping indiscriminately through the bustling streets. This imagery creates a palpable sense of dread and vulnerability, emphasizing that no place or person, regardless of status or security, is safe from the impending judgment. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hyperbole** in the complete and indiscriminate nature of the destruction. While the judgment was indeed severe, the language used—death entering every dwelling and cutting off all children and young men—underscores the overwhelming scale and totality of the impending catastrophe, serving as a powerful, urgent warning to a rebellious nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:21 serves as a profound theological statement on the devastating consequences of unrepentant sin and the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even the most secure human constructs and societal defenses cannot withstand His righteous wrath when His covenant is continually violated. The pervasiveness of death's invasion signifies that God's judgment is comprehensive, affecting all strata of society and leaving no one untouched. This passage highlights the tragic reality that societal moral decay and spiritual rebellion inevitably lead to devastating physical and demographic consequences, severing the very lifeline of a nation by targeting its future generations. It is a stark reminder that God's justice, though patient, is ultimately inescapable and thorough, fulfilling the warnings given throughout the Old Testament regarding covenant faithfulness and the dire outcomes of disobedience.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Invasion and Devastation")
* [Lamentations 2:21](/lamentations/2-21 "Lamentations 2:21 - Children and Young Men Slain")
* [Ezekiel 7:15](/ezekiel/7-15 "Ezekiel 7:15 - Sword, Pestilence, and Famine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:21, though rooted in ancient Judah's tragic history, resonates with timeless spiritual lessons for contemporary believers and societies. It serves as a somber reminder that persistent rebellion against God's truth and justice, whether individually or corporately, carries severe and far-reaching consequences. The vivid image of death breaching secure spaces and indiscriminately targeting the young compels us to consider the vulnerability of our own lives and communities when we drift from divine principles. It challenges us to examine the "windows" and "palaces" of our own lives—our private thoughts, our public actions, our societal structures, our aspirations—and ask if they are truly aligned with God's will. The verse calls for a deep introspection into the spiritual health of our families, churches, and nations, urging us to heed God's warnings and pursue genuine repentance and faithfulness before judgment becomes inevitable. It reminds us that true security is found not in physical fortifications, worldly power, or human ingenuity, but in faithful obedience and humble reliance on the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "death" (spiritual apathy, moral compromise, societal injustice) be subtly entering the "windows" or "palaces" of my own life or community today?**
* **What "children" or "young men" (future generations, vulnerable populations, nascent hopes, or spiritual potential) are at risk of being "cut off" due to personal or corporate unfaithfulness to God?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice, the seriousness of sin, and the urgency of repentance?**
* **What specific actions can I take, individually and collectively, to live in greater obedience to God's commands and contribute to the spiritual health and flourishing of my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What does "death is come up into our windows" mean literally?**

Answer: This phrase is highly metaphorical and personifies death (H4194, _mâveth_) as an active, invading entity. Literally, it suggests an unnatural and terrifying breach of security. Windows (H2474, _challôwn_) were not typically used for entry, especially not by an invading force. The imagery conveys that death, whether through pestilence, famine, or the sword, would bypass conventional defenses and infiltrate every private dwelling, signifying an inescapable and pervasive judgment that leaves no home safe. It emphasizes the totality, unexpected nature, and horrific intimacy of the impending doom, highlighting that no one could hide from God's judgment.

**Why are "children" and "young men" specifically mentioned as targets?**

Answer: The specific mention of "children" (H5768, _ʻôwlêl_, infants and young children) and "young men" (H970, _bâchûwr_, youth and prime-aged males) underscores the devastating impact of the judgment on the nation's future and continuity. Children represent the nascent generation, the hope for continuity and future prosperity, while young men represent the strength, vitality, and future leadership and military backbone of the community. Their being "cut off" (H3772, _kârath_) signifies a complete societal collapse and the eradication of hope for the nation's survival and legacy. This highlights the extreme severity of God's judgment, which would leave Judah without a future generation to carry on its heritage or rebuild. This tragic outcome echoes the curses of the covenant found in [Deuteronomy 28:32](/deuteronomy/28-32 "Deuteronomy 28:32 - Sons and Daughters Given to Another Nation"), where children are taken captive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 9:21 paints a bleak picture of pervasive death and judgment as a consequence of sin, its ultimate fulfillment, and profound reversal, are found in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament repeatedly warns of the consequences of sin, culminating in death, both physical and spiritual, a pervasive enemy that invades every aspect of human existence. However, Christ enters this narrative as the ultimate conqueror of the very "death" that invaded Judah's homes and streets. He did not merely escape death but willingly "entered into our palaces" of human existence, taking on flesh and dwelling among us ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), to confront the power of sin and death head-on. His crucifixion was the ultimate act of being "cut off" for the sake of humanity ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - He Was Cut Off from the Land of the Living")), bearing the judgment and spiritual death that humanity deserved. Through His glorious resurrection, Jesus decisively "swallowed up death in victory" ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")), disarming its power and opening the "windows" of eternal life to all who believe. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering redemption from the spiritual death that sin brings and promising resurrection and new life to those who are "in Christ" ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God")). Thus, the pervasive death prophesied in Jeremiah is ultimately overcome by the life-giving power of Christ, who offers true and lasting hope where there was once only desolation and despair.

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 6:11

Therefore I am full of the fury of the LORD; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with [him that is] full of days.

Ezekiel 9:5

¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

Ezekiel 9:6

Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house.

Jeremiah 15:7

And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave [them] of children, I will destroy my people, [since] they return not from their ways.

2 Chronicles 36:17

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

Amos 6:10

And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.

Amos 6:11

For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts.