Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah 21:8
8“But tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
Jeremiah 21:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.
- New International Version (NIV)“Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.
- English Standard Version (ESV)"And to this people you shall say: 'Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.
Context of Jeremiah 21:8
6I will strike the residents of this city, both people and animals. They will die in a severe plague. 7Afterward — this is the Lord’s declaration — King Zedekiah of Judah, his officers, and the people — those in this city who survive the plague, the sword, and the famine — I will hand over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to their enemies, yes, to those who intend to take their lives. He will put them to the sword; he won’t spare them or show pity or compassion.’ “But tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live and will retain his life like the spoils of war. 10For I have set my face against this city to bring disaster and not good — this is the Lord’s declaration. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, who will burn it.’
Read all of Jeremiah 21Jeremiah 21:8 word by word
וְאֶל־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ תֹּאמַ֔ר כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה הִנְנִ֤י נֹתֵן֙ לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם אֶת־דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמָּֽוֶת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And unto this peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- thou shalt sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- Behold, I setנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
- beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- you the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
- of lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
- of deathמָ֫וֶתmâveth · deathH4194
Cross-references for Jeremiah 21:8
Commentaries on Jeremiah 21:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death - Meaning escape or destruction in the present instance. This is explained in the next verse.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Compare the marginal reference; but here the alternative is a life saved by desertion to the enemy, or a death by famine, pestilence, and the sword within the walls.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-10The Lord decided to destroy Jerusalem, but people could choose life, likely as slaves in Babylon, or death by Babylonian swords (see Deuteronomy 20:10–13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. "Life," if ye surrender; "death," if ye persist in opposing the Chaldees (compare De 30:19). The individuality of Jeremiah's mission from God is shown in that he urges to unconditional surrender; whereas all former prophets had urged the people to oppose their invaders (Is 7:16; 37:33, 35).Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 21:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries