And I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger, and in fury, and in great wrath.

JEREMIAH 21:5KJV
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Jeremiah 21:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 21:5 mean?

Jeremiah 21:5 describes God declaring that He Himself will actively oppose the people of Jerusalem, fighting against them with great power and intense anger. The verse emphasizes that God’s intervention will be forceful and fueled by strong emotions like anger, fury, and wrath.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah and the people of Judah, who are seeking help as Jerusalem faces attack from Babylon. Instead of promising rescue, God warns that He will personally fight against His own people because of their persistent disobedience. The language shows the seriousness of their situation and the depth of God’s displeasure.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 21:5

  • "Fight" (לָחַם, lacham): This word means to wage war or battle. Here, it is striking because God is not fighting for His people, but against them.
  • "Outstretched" (נָטָה, natah) and "hand" (יָד, yad): The image of an "outstretched hand" often represents power and decisive action in the Hebrew Bible. It usually describes God rescuing Israel, but here it is used in judgment.
  • "Strong" (חָזָק, chazaq) and "arm" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroa): These words together highlight overwhelming strength. The phrase underlines that God’s opposition will be impossible to resist.
  • "Anger" (אַף, aph), "fury" (חֵמָה, chemah), and "great wrath" (קֶצֶף גָּדוֹל, qetsef gadol): These words stack up to show the intensity of God’s emotional response, making it clear this is not a mild or distant reaction.

Why Jeremiah 21:5 matters

  • Jeremiah 21:5 clears up the misunderstanding that God is always on one side; it shows that God’s support depends on faithfulness, not just identity or heritage.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of Judah’s situation by showing that God’s power, usually their hope, is now directed against them.
  • This warning sets the tone for the rest of Jeremiah 21, making clear that the coming disaster is not just political but a result of broken relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“wrath” Hebrew H7110 · used in 29 verses

  • Numbers 1:53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
  • 2 Chronicles 19:10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
  • Isaiah 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

“strong” Hebrew H2389 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
  • Deuteronomy 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
  • Proverbs 23:11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“fury” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 4:11 The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.