Jeremiah Chapter 21 · Verse 14
But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it.
Original Language Analysis
וּפָקַדְתִּ֧י
But I will punish
H6485
וּפָקַדְתִּ֧י
But I will punish
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 12
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּפְרִ֥י
you according to the fruit
H6529
כִּפְרִ֥י
you according to the fruit
Strong's:
H6529
Word #:
3 of 12
fruit (literally or figuratively)
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהִצַּ֤תִּי
and I will kindle
H3341
וְהִצַּ֤תִּי
and I will kindle
Strong's:
H3341
Word #:
7 of 12
to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
בְּיַעְרָ֔הּ
in the forest
H3293
בְּיַעְרָ֔הּ
in the forest
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
9 of 12
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
וְאָכְלָ֖ה
thereof and it shall devour
H398
וְאָכְלָ֖ה
thereof and it shall devour
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
10 of 12
to eat (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Proverbs 1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.Jeremiah 32:19Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.Jeremiah 52:13And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:2 Chronicles 36:19And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.Jeremiah 9:25Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Historical Context
This was literally fulfilled when Babylon burned Jerusalem's buildings, including the temple and royal structures. The city became desolate ruins.
Questions for Reflection
- What does fire imagery teach about the thorough nature of God's judgment?
- How does God sometimes need to burn away what we've built to start fresh?
Analysis & Commentary
God will kindle fire in Jerusalem's 'forest' (likely referring to Solomon's 'house of the forest of Lebanon' - 1 Kings 7:2) that will 'devour all things round about it.' Fire frequently symbolizes God's judgment (Deut 32:22). This comprehensive destruction spares nothing - a complete purging of sin's effects. The warning fulfills Moses' prophecy of covenant curses.