Jeremiah 21:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 21:6 mean?

Jeremiah 21:6 describes God declaring that He will strike down the people and animals living in Jerusalem, causing them to die from a severe disease. This verse is a warning of a devastating plague that will affect everyone in the city, both human and animal.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to King Zedekiah and the people of Jerusalem during a time when the city is under threat from the Babylonians. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the coming judgment: not only will the people suffer, but even the animals will not be spared. The mention of a "great pestilence" highlights that the disaster will be widespread and unavoidable, showing the totality of the coming punishment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 21:6

• "Smite" (נָכָה, nakah) means to strike or hit with force. Here, it shows that the disaster is not random but a direct act of judgment.
• "Pestilence" (דֶּבֶר, dever) refers to a deadly plague or epidemic. This word often points to a disease so severe that it sweeps through entire populations, underlining the scale of suffering described.
• "Great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) means large or intense. Its use with "pestilence" stresses that this will not be a minor outbreak but a major, overwhelming event.

Why Jeremiah 21:6 matters

• Jeremiah 21:6 makes clear that the coming judgment will affect every living thing in Jerusalem, not just the guilty or the leaders, but even innocent animals. This shows the seriousness of the consequences for the city's choices.
• The verse highlights that the disaster is not just from human enemies (like the Babylonians) but also from disease, showing that the threat comes from multiple directions.
• Understanding this verse helps explain the depth of despair and urgency in Jeremiah's message to Jerusalem, setting the stage for the warnings and calls to repentance found throughout the chapter.