Jeremiah 21:12
O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
Original Language Analysis
בֵּ֣ית
O house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
1 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּ֤ינוּ
Execute
H1777
דִּ֤ינוּ
Execute
Strong's:
H1777
Word #:
6 of 22
to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)
לַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
in the morning
H1242
לַבֹּ֙קֶר֙
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט
judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֔ט
judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וְהַצִּ֥ילוּ
and deliver
H5337
וְהַצִּ֥ילוּ
and deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
9 of 22
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
גָז֖וּל
him that is spoiled
H1497
גָז֖וּל
him that is spoiled
Strong's:
H1497
Word #:
10 of 22
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
out of the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 22
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
עוֹשֵׁ֑ק
of the oppressor
H6231
עוֹשֵׁ֑ק
of the oppressor
Strong's:
H6231
Word #:
12 of 22
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תֵּצֵ֨א
go out
H3318
תֵּצֵ֨א
go out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 22
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
חֲמָתִ֗י
lest my fury
H2534
חֲמָתִ֗י
lest my fury
Strong's:
H2534
Word #:
16 of 22
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
מְכַבֶּ֔ה
that none can quench
H3518
מְכַבֶּ֔ה
that none can quench
Strong's:
H3518
Word #:
19 of 22
to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)
מִפְּנֵ֖י
it because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
it because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Isaiah 1:17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Isaiah 1:31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.Jeremiah 5:28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.Jeremiah 17:4And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever.Jeremiah 36:7It may be they will present their supplication before the LORD, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the LORD hath pronounced against this people.Jeremiah 7:20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Zephaniah 3:5The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.Isaiah 7:2And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
Historical Context
Addressed to the Davidic dynasty during its final years. Despite God's covenant promise to David (2 Sam 7), individual kings could still fall under judgment for covenant violations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's concern for justice challenge comfortable religion?
- In what ways are you called to 'execute judgment' in your sphere of influence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The 'morning by morning' repetition emphasizes the daily, consistent requirement for justice - not sporadic reforms but sustained righteousness. The Hebrew 'mishpat' (judgment) encompasses both legal justice and covenant faithfulness. Kings were God's vice-regents, accountable to execute His justice. Their failure brought 'the fire of mine wrath' - God's holy opposition to injustice cannot be appeased by religious ritual alone (Isa 1:11-17).