The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,

JEREMIAH 21:1KJV
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Jeremiah 21:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 21:1 mean?

Jeremiah 21:1 introduces a moment when King Zedekiah sends two officials, Pashur and Zephaniah, to the prophet Jeremiah with a message from the LORD. This verse sets the stage for a conversation between the king’s representatives and Jeremiah, showing that the king is seeking guidance or a word from God during a time of crisis.

The verse names the people involved: King Zedekiah, Pashur son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, who is a priest. Jeremiah is the prophet receiving the message. The context is that Jerusalem is under threat, and the king turns to Jeremiah for a word from the LORD, which signals the seriousness of the situation and the king’s recognition of Jeremiah’s role as God’s spokesperson.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 21:1

  • The word for "word" is דָּבָר (davar, H1697), which often means a message, matter, or command. Here, it emphasizes that what follows is not Jeremiah’s own idea but a communication from the LORD.
  • The name for "LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068), the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting that this message has divine authority.
  • The verb "sent" is שָׁלַח (shalach, H7971), showing that King Zedekiah is taking the initiative to reach out to Jeremiah, not the other way around. This detail underlines the king’s dependence on prophetic insight.

Why Jeremiah 21:1 matters

  • This verse marks a turning point where the king, despite earlier resistance to Jeremiah’s warnings, now seeks his counsel, showing a shift in attitude due to the severity of the crisis.
  • Naming the officials and the priest underscores the seriousness of the request; these are not minor figures but trusted representatives, which shows the king’s request is official and urgent.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the message that follows, making clear that what Jeremiah will say comes directly from God and is meant for the nation’s leadership at a critical time.

Where else these words appear

“Zephaniah” Hebrew H6846 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
  • Jeremiah 29:29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
  • Zephaniah 1:1 The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

“Pashur” Hebrew H6583 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:12 And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;
  • Nehemiah 7:41 The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.
  • Jeremiah 20:2 Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.

“Melchiah” Hebrew H4441 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 6:40 The son of Michael, the son of Baaseiah, the son of Malchiah,
  • Ezra 10:31 And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
  • Nehemiah 10:3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,

“Maaseiah” Hebrew H4641 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • Ezra 10:21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
  • Nehemiah 11:5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.