Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

JEREMIAH 21:2KJV
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Jeremiah 21:2 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 21:2 mean?

Jeremiah 21:2 records a request for Jeremiah to ask the LORD for help, as Nebuchadrezzar, the king of Babylon, is attacking Jerusalem; the people hope God might do something miraculous, as He has in the past, to make the enemy withdraw. The verse shows the leaders turning to God through the prophet in a desperate situation, seeking divine intervention.

King Zedekiah sends messengers to Jeremiah, asking him to "enquire" of the LORD because Babylon's army threatens Jerusalem. The people remember God's "wondrous works"—His past miracles—and hope He might act again to save them from Nebuchadrezzar. This moment highlights their fear and their hope that God will rescue them as He once did for their ancestors.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 21:2

  • "Enquire" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) means to seek or ask diligently; here, it shows the leaders are not just asking casually but are urgently seeking a word from God through Jeremiah.
  • "Deal" (עָשָׂה, asah) is a general word for "do" or "act," but in this context, it points to the hope that God will act in a powerful, saving way, as He has before.
  • "Wondrous works" (פֶּלֶא, pele) refers to extraordinary or miraculous deeds; the people are specifically recalling times when God intervened in history with signs and wonders.

Why Jeremiah 21:2 matters

  • Jeremiah 21:2 clarifies that even leaders who have ignored God's warnings in the past may turn to Him in crisis, but their motives may be more about escaping trouble than true repentance.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up God's response, which will challenge the people's assumptions about automatic deliverance.
  • It shows the people's memory of God's power, but also their misunderstanding: they expect God to act for them simply because He has done so before, without considering their own faithfulness or obedience.

Where else these words appear

“us” Hebrew H1157 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • Judges 3:22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.
  • Psalms 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

“Nebuchadrezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“works” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 5:9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
  • Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!