King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 21:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 21:13 in the King James Version says “Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 21:13 · KJV

Context

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
Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain, saith the LORD—God declares Himself Jerusalem's enemy using the confrontational formula hineni elayikh (הִנְנִי אֵלַיִךְ, 'Behold, I am against you'). This phrase appears repeatedly in prophetic literature announcing divine judgment (Jeremiah 50:31, 51:25, Ezekiel 5:8). The address 'O inhabitant of the valley, and rock of the plain' (yoshevet ha'emeq tsur hamishor, יֹשֶׁבֶת הָעֵמֶק צוּר הַמִּישֹׁר) describes Jerusalem's geography: built on rocky elevation surrounded by valleys (Kidron, Hinnom, Tyropoeon), creating natural defensive advantages.

Which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?—this captures Jerusalem's false confidence (mi yered alenu, מִי־יֵרֵד עָלֵינוּ, 'Who can descend upon us?'). The rhetorical questions express presumptuous security based on geography and theology—they believed their fortifications and God's presence in the temple made them invincible. This echoes the false security Jeremiah condemned: 'The temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD' (Jeremiah 7:4). But God's declaration 'I am against you' overturns all human security. No fortress, geographic advantage, or religious heritage protects those who rebel against God. This fulfills Leviticus 26:19: 'I will break the pride of your power.' True security comes not from walls or location but from covenant faithfulness (Psalm 127:1).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's geography did provide significant defensive advantages. Built on Mount Zion with steep valleys on three sides, it was naturally fortified and had withstood numerous sieges. When Sennacherib's Assyrian army threatened in 701 BC, God miraculously delivered Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35), reinforcing belief in the city's inviolability. By Jeremiah's day, this historical deliverance combined with theology of God's dwelling in the temple created false confidence—the belief that God would always protect Jerusalem regardless of the people's behavior. But Jeremiah had declared from the beginning of his ministry that the temple's presence provided no automatic protection (Jeremiah 7:1-15, citing Shiloh's destruction as precedent). When Babylon besieged Jerusalem in 588-586 BC, the city's defenses eventually failed despite natural advantages. Archaeological evidence shows Babylon constructed massive siege works—earthen ramps and towers—to overcome Jerusalem's walls. The fulfillment of Jeremiah 21:13 vindicated his unpopular message: God Himself fought against Jerusalem, making all defensive advantages meaningless.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jerusalem's false confidence in geography and religious heritage warn against presuming upon external securities while neglecting heart obedience?
  2. What does God's declaration 'I am against you' teach about the futility of any defense—military, geographic, or religious—when we live in rebellion against God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הִנְנִ֨י1 of 15
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֵלַ֜יִךְ2 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יֹשֶׁ֧בֶת3 of 15

“Behold I am against thee O inhabitant”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָעֵ֛מֶק4 of 15

“of the valley”

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

צ֥וּר5 of 15

“and rock”

H6697

properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)

הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר6 of 15

“of the plain”

H4334

a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (

נְאֻם7 of 15

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

הָאֹֽמְרִים֙9 of 15

“which say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִֽי10 of 15
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יֵחַ֣ת11 of 15

“Who shall come down”

H5181

to sink, i.e., descend; causatively, to press or lead down

עָלֵ֔ינוּ12 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וּמִ֥י13 of 15
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יָב֖וֹא14 of 15

“against us or who shall enter”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בִּמְעוֹנוֹתֵֽינוּ׃15 of 15

“into our habitations”

H4585

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

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 21:13 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 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 4:12Ezekiel 13:8Obadiah 1:3-4Jeremiah 50:31Micah 3:11Jeremiah 49:4-5

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 21 →

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