King James Version
Jeremiah 21:8 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Jeremiah 21:8 · KJV
And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
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.
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.
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And unto this people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
“Behold I set”
H5414to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and the way”
H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
“of life”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“and the way”
H1870a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
“of death”
H4194death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
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.
Jeremiah 21:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Jeremiah 21:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge