Jeremiah 21:8
And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָ֤ם
And unto this people
H5971
הָעָ֤ם
And unto this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
כֹּ֖ה
H3541
כֹּ֖ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נֹתֵן֙
Behold I set
H5414
נֹתֵן֙
Behold I set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
and the way
H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
and the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַחַיִּ֖ים
of life
H2416
הַחַיִּ֖ים
of life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
13 of 16
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:Deuteronomy 30:15See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;Deuteronomy 11:26Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Historical Context
Spoken to King Zedekiah around 588 BC as Babylon besieged Jerusalem. The advice to surrender seemed like treason, yet it was God's revealed will for that moment in redemptive history.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God's wisdom seemed to contradict human prudence in your life?
- How do you discern between faith that perseveres and presumption that ignores God's revealed will?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'way of life' and 'way of death' recalls Moses' final sermon (Deut 30:15-19). God's covenant faithfulness includes both blessing and curse; here Jeremiah presents a stark choice - surrender to Babylon (life) or resist (death). This counter-intuitive counsel tested whether Judah trusted God's word over nationalistic pride. Christ later uses similar language about narrow and wide ways (Matt 7:13-14).