What does Jeremiah 21:2 mean?
“Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.” — Jeremiah 21:2
Jeremiah 21:2 (KJV) states, "Enquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the Lord will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us."
This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah, which is a part of the Old Testament. It is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which this verse was written in order to fully grasp its significance. During the time of Jeremiah, the nation of Judah was facing a crisis. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar had besieged Jerusalem, and the people were fearful and desperate for divine intervention.
In this verse, the people of Judah are pleading with Jeremiah to inquire of the Lord on their behalf. They are seeking reassurance and guidance in the face of impending war and destruction. The word "enquire" in this context conveys a sense of urgency and desperation. The people are acknowledging their dependence on God and are looking to Jeremiah, the prophet, to intercede for them.
The mention of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, highlights the magnitude of the threat facing the people of Judah. Babylon was a powerful empire, and its military campaign against Judah was a formidable force. The people's plea for God to "deal with us according to all his wondrous works" reflects their belief in the power and deliverance of the Lord. They are asking for God to act on their behalf in the same way He had demonstrated His wondrous works throughout their history.
The themes present in this verse are those of faith, dependence on God, and the concept of divine intervention. The people of Judah are turning to the Lord in their time of need, recognizing that their own resources and strength are insufficient to overcome the threat before them. Their plea reflects a deep trust in God's ability to act on their behalf and to deliver them from their enemies.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the power of Nebuchadnezzar and the power of God. Nebuchadnezzar represents the forces of the world, including military might and human ambition. In contrast, the Lord symbolizes divine authority, sovereignty, and the ability to work wondrous works beyond human comprehension. The people of Judah are acknowledging the disparity between these two powers and are seeking the intervention of the supreme, transcendent God in the face of earthly adversity.
Overall, Jeremiah 21:2 is a poignant reminder of the timeless human experience of facing insurmountable challenges. The verse speaks to the universal need for faith and the recognition of our dependence on a higher power in times of crisis. It also portrays the enduring theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to work wonders in the midst of human struggles. This verse continues to resonate with believers today, reminding us to seek the Lord in times of trouble and to trust in His ability to deliver us from our enemies.
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Artwork for Jeremiah 21:2
Jeremiah 21:2 - "Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us."
"Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us." - Jeremiah 21:2
Jeremiah 2:21 - "Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?"
Jeremiah 21:3 - "¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:"
2 Chronicles 36:21 - "To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years."
Jeremiah 25:21 - "Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,"
Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?
Jeremiah 37:21 - "Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."
Jeremiah 38:21 - "But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me:"
Jeremiah 21:11 - "¶ And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;"
"¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:" - Jeremiah 21:3
Jeremiah 4:21 - "How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?"
Jeremiah 21:1 - "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,"
"Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon," - Jeremiah 25:21
Jeremiah 49:21 - "The earth is moved at the noise of their fall, at the cry the noise thereof was heard in the Red sea."
Jeremiah 48:21 - "And judgment is come upon the plain country; upon Holon, and upon Jahazah, and upon Mephaath,"
Jeremiah 23:21 - "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied."
Jeremiah 15:21 - "And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible."
Jeremiah 10:21 - "For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered."
Jeremiah 17:21 - "Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;"
Jeremiah 21:5 - "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 51:21 - "And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider;"
Jeremiah 5:21 - "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"
Jeremiah 7:21 - "¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh."
Jeremiah 8:21 - "For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me."
2 Kings 2:21
Jeremiah 27:21 - "Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;"
Jeremiah 3:21 - "A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God."
Jeremiah 14:21 - "Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us."
Jeremiah 21:8 - "¶ 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."