King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 21:12 Mean?

Jeremiah 21:12 in the King James Version says “O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 21:12 · KJV

Context

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

13

Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations? inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress

14

But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it. punish: Heb. visit upon

Read Jeremiah 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The 'morning by morning' repetition emphasizes the daily, consistent requirement for justice - not sporadic reforms but sustained righteousness. The Hebrew 'mishpat' (judgment) encompasses both legal justice and covenant faithfulness. Kings were God's vice-regents, accountable to execute His justice. Their failure brought 'the fire of mine wrath' - God's holy opposition to injustice cannot be appeased by religious ritual alone (Isa 1:11-17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Addressed to the Davidic dynasty during its final years. Despite God's covenant promise to David (2 Sam 7), individual kings could still fall under judgment for covenant violations.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern for justice challenge comfortable religion?
  2. In what ways are you called to 'execute judgment' in your sphere of influence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
בֵּ֣ית1 of 22

“O house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

דָּוִ֗ד2 of 22

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

כֹּ֚ה3 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר4 of 22

“thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

דִּ֤ינוּ6 of 22

“Execute”

H1777

to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)

לַבֹּ֙קֶר֙7 of 22

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

מִשְׁפָּ֔ט8 of 22

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

וְהַצִּ֥ילוּ9 of 22

“and deliver”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

גָז֖וּל10 of 22

“him that is spoiled”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

מִיַּ֣ד11 of 22

“out of 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

עוֹשֵׁ֑ק12 of 22

“of the oppressor”

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

פֶּן13 of 22
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תֵּצֵ֨א14 of 22

“go out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

כָאֵ֜שׁ15 of 22

“like fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

חֲמָתִ֗י16 of 22

“lest my fury”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

וּבָעֲרָה֙17 of 22

“and burn”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

וְאֵ֣ין18 of 22
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מְכַבֶּ֔ה19 of 22

“that none can quench”

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

מִפְּנֵ֖י20 of 22

“it because”

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

רֹ֥עַ21 of 22

“of the evil”

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

מַעַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃22 of 22

“of your doings”

H4611

an act (good or bad)

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 21:12 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 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:17Jeremiah 4:4Proverbs 31:8-9Jeremiah 22:2-3Zechariah 7:9-11Isaiah 1:31

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