Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.

JEREMIAH 6:21KJV
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Jeremiah 6:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 6:21 mean?

Jeremiah 6:21 describes God declaring that He will place obstacles—called "stumblingblocks"—in the path of the people of Judah, causing fathers, sons, neighbors, and friends all to fall and perish together. The verse warns that disaster will come upon everyone in the community, with no one spared from the coming judgment.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is delivering a message from the LORD (God) to the people of Jerusalem and Judah, who have been ignoring warnings to turn from their wrongdoing. The "stumblingblocks" represent difficulties or disasters that will trip up the entire society, showing that the consequences of their actions will affect all generations and relationships. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the coming judgment and the total impact it will have on the community.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 6:21

  • "stumblingblocks" (מִכְשׁוֹלוֹת, miksholot): This word refers to things that cause people to trip or fall, often used as a metaphor for events or situations that lead to ruin or destruction. Here, it highlights that God Himself is actively placing these obstacles because of the people's persistent disobedience.
  • "fall" (כָּשַׁל, kashal): This verb means to stumble or collapse, not just physically but also in the sense of being brought down by trouble or judgment. The use of this word stresses the certainty and severity of what will happen.
  • "perish" (אָבַד, avad): This word means to be destroyed or to die. Its use here underscores the finality of the judgment—those who stumble will not recover.

Why Jeremiah 6:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 6:21 makes clear that the coming judgment is not random misfortune but a direct result of God's decision in response to the people's actions. This corrects any idea that the disaster is accidental or unfair.
  • The verse highlights that the consequences of wrongdoing are not limited to one group or generation; everyone—family, friends, neighbors—will be affected. This shows the deep, communal impact of the people's choices.
  • In the wider context of Jeremiah 6, this verse marks a turning point where warnings become declarations of certain judgment, helping the reader understand the seriousness of ignoring God's repeated calls to change.

Where else these words appear

“stumblingblocks” Hebrew H4383 · used in 14 verses

  • Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
  • Isaiah 57:14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
  • Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

“neighbour” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
  • Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

“fall” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 50:32 And the most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up: and I will kindle a fire in his cities, and it shall devour all round about him.

“together” Hebrew H3162 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 13:6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
  • Job 24:4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
  • Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.