Jeremiah 21:8

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 also strike the inhabitants of this city, both the people and the animals; they will die of a great plague. 7Then afterward,” declares the Lord, “I will hand Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, and the people, that is, those who survive in this city from the plague, the sword, and the famine, over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to their enemies, and to those who seek their lives; and he will strike and kill them with the edge of the sword. He will not spare them nor have pity nor compassion.”’ “You shall also say to this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Behold, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. 9Anyone who stays in this city will die by the sword, by famine, or by plague; but anyone who leaves and goes over to the Chaldeans who are besieging you will live, and he will have his own life as plunder. 10For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good,” declares the Lord. “It will be handed over to the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.”’

Jeremiah 21:8 word by word

וְאֶל־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ תֹּאמַ֔ר כֹּ֖ה אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה הִנְנִ֤י נֹתֵן֙ לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם אֶת־דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמָּֽוֶת׃Read the interlinear

• You shall also sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• to thisזֶהzeh · thisH2088
• peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• Thisכֹּהkôh · thusH3541
• the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• Beholdהִנֵּהhinnêh · beholdH2009
• settingנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• you the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• of deathמָ֫וֶתmâveth · deathH4194

Cross-references for Jeremiah 21:8

• Deuteronomy 11:26“See, I am placing before you today a blessing and a curse:
• Deuteronomy 30:15“See, I have placed before you today life and happiness, and death and adversity,
• Isaiah 1:19If you are willing and obedient, You will eat the best of the land;

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

• Babylon
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Literature, Sub-Apostolic
• Uriah; Uruah
• Way
• Zedekiah (2)
• Zedekiah

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