Jeremiah 21:10 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 21:10 mean?

Jeremiah 21:10 means that God has firmly decided to bring disaster, not blessing, on Jerusalem, allowing the city to be conquered and destroyed by the king of Babylon. The verse makes clear that this judgment is certain and comes directly from God’s own decision.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people and leaders of Jerusalem during a time when the Babylonian army threatened the city. The phrase “set my face against this city for evil, and not for good” shows that God’s attitude toward Jerusalem has shifted because of the people’s persistent wrongdoing. The warning is specific: Jerusalem will be handed over to Babylon’s king, who will burn it with fire.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 21:10

• “Set” (שִׂים, sîm): This word means to place or fix firmly. Here, it emphasizes that God’s decision is deliberate and unchangeable.
• “Face” (פָּנִים, pānîm): In Hebrew thought, God “setting his face against” something means turning his attention toward it in judgment, not favor.
• “Evil” (רַע, raʿ) and “Good” (טוֹב, ṭôb): These words show a clear contrast; God is not offering blessing or peace, but rather harm as a consequence for the city’s actions.
• “Burn” (שָׂרַף, śāraph) and “Fire” (אֵשׁ, ʾēsh): These words make the outcome vivid—Jerusalem’s destruction will be complete and unmistakable.

Why Jeremiah 21:10 matters

• Jeremiah 21:10 clears up the idea that God’s favor toward Jerusalem was unconditional; it shows that continued disobedience can lead to real consequences, even for a city once called holy.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of the situation: God’s judgment is not just a threat but a settled decision, and the destruction will be total.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, where Jeremiah is warning the leaders not to expect rescue or peace, but to face the reality of God’s judgment through Babylon.