King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 21:10 Mean?

Jeremiah 21:10 in the King James Version says “For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.”

Jeremiah 21:10 · KJV

Context

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.

9

He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live , and his life shall be unto him for a prey.

10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.

11

And touching the house of the king of Judah, say, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

12

O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. Execute: Heb. Judge

Read Jeremiah 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares He has 'set my face against this city for evil, and not for good.' The phrase 'set my face' indicates determined purpose - God's active opposition rather than passive withdrawal. This city will be given into Babylon's hand to be burned with fire. When God's patience exhausts, His opposition to sin becomes active judgment. There is no neutrality with God - blessing or curse, life or death (Deut 30:19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This pronouncement came during the final siege of Jerusalem. Zedekiah's inquiry hoped for miraculous deliverance like in Hezekiah's day (Isa 37), but God's decree was fixed.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean when God 'sets His face' for evil rather than good?
  2. How do you recognize when God's patience has given way to active judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֣י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שַׂ֣מְתִּי2 of 16

“For I have set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

פָ֠נַי3 of 16

“my face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בָּעִ֨יר4 of 16

“against this city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַזֹּ֧את5 of 16
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לְרָעָ֛ה6 of 16

“for evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְלֹ֥א7 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְטוֹבָ֖ה8 of 16

“and not for good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

נְאֻם9 of 16

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה10 of 16

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּיַד11 of 16

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מֶ֤לֶךְ12 of 16

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶל֙13 of 16

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

תִּנָּתֵ֔ן14 of 16

“it shall be given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וּשְׂרָפָ֖הּ15 of 16

“and he shall burn”

H8313

to be (causatively, set) on fire

בָּאֵֽשׁ׃16 of 16

“it with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 21:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 21:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 44:11Amos 9:4Jeremiah 44:27Jeremiah 52:13Ezekiel 15:72 Chronicles 36:19

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 21 →

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