Jeremiah 21:7

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאַחֲרֵי
And afterward
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#2
כֵ֣ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#3
נְאֻם
saith
an oracle
#4
יְהוָ֡ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אֶתֵּ֣ן
I will deliver
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#6
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ
Zedekiah
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
#8
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#9
יְהוּדָ֣ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#10
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#11
עֲבָדָ֣יו׀
and his servants
a servant
#12
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הָעָ֡ם
and the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#14
וְאֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֩
and such as are left
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#16
בָּעִ֨יר
in this city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#17
הַזֹּ֜את
this (often used adverb)
#18
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#19
הַדֶּ֣בֶר׀
from the pestilence
a pestilence
#20
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#21
חֶ֔רֶב
from the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#22
וּמִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#23
הָרָעָ֗ב
and from the famine
hunger (more or less extensive)
#24
וּבְיַ֖ד
and into the hand
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
#25
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#26
מֶֽלֶךְ
king
a king
#27
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
#28
וּבְיַ֖ד
and into the hand
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
#29
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם
of their enemies
hating; an adversary
#30
וּבְיַ֖ד
and into the hand
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
#31
מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י
of those that seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#32
נַפְשָׁ֑ם
their life
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#33
וְהִכָּ֣ם
and he shall smite
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
#34
לְפִי
them with the edge
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#35
חֶ֔רֶב
from the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#36
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#37
יָח֣וּס
he shall not spare
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
#38
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#39
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#40
יַחְמֹ֖ל
them neither have pity
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
#41
וְלֹ֥א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#42
יְרַחֵֽם׃
nor have mercy
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People