Jeremiah 21:7

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 21:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And afterward, saith Jehovah, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, even 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And afterward, saith Jehovah, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, even 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.
Jeremiah 21:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7And afterward, saith Jehovah, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, even 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.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And afterwards, saith the Lord God, etc.] After there should be so great a mortality among men and beasts: I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants; the king himself shall not escape; though he shall not die by the pestilence, or famine, or sword, yet he shall fall into the hands of the Chaldeans, and also “his servants”, his courtiers, and counsellors: and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine; such of the inhabitants of the city, as well as those at court, that died not by the sword, famine, and pestilence: these should be delivered into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; who was now with his army…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the people, and such--rather, explanatory, "the people," namely, "such as are left." seek their life--content with nothing short of their death; not content with plundering and enslaving them. smite with . . . sword--This was the fate of Zedekiah's sons and many of the Jewish nobles. Zedekiah himself, though not put to a violent death, died of grief. Compare as to the accurate fulfilment, Jer 34:4; Eze 12:13; Kg2 25:6-7.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Jer 24:8-10, Jer 34:19-22, Jer 37:17, Jer 38:21-23, Jer 39:4-7, Jer 52:8-11, Jer 52:24-27; Kg2 25:5-7, Kg2 25:18-21; Ch2 36:17-20; Eze 12:12-16, Eze 17:20, Eze 17:21, Eze 21:25, Eze 21:26 he shall: Jer 13:14; Deu 28:50; Ch2 36:17; Isa 13:17, Isa 13:18, Isa 27:11, Isa 47:6; Eze 7:9; Eze 8:18, Eze 9:5, Eze 9:6, Eze 9:10; Hab 1:6-10 Jeremiah 21:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification