Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. New Living Translation “Tell all the people, ‘This is what the LORD says: Take your choice of life or death! English Standard Version “And to this people you shall say: ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Berean Standard Bible Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. King James Bible 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. New King James Version “Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. New American Standard Bible “You shall also say to this people, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. NASB 1995 “You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. NASB 1977 “You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Legacy Standard Bible “You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Amplified Bible “And to this people you (Jeremiah) shall also say, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Christian Standard Bible “But tell this people, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Holman Christian Standard Bible “But you must say to this people, ‘This is what the LORD says: Look, I am presenting to you the way of life and the way of death. American Standard Version And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Contemporary English Version Then I told them that the LORD had said: People of Jerusalem, I, the LORD, give you the choice of life or death. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Say to these people, 'This is what the LORD says: I am going to give you the choice of life or death. Good News Translation Then the LORD told me to say to the people, "Listen! I, the LORD, am giving you a choice between the way that leads to life and the way that leads to death. International Standard Version "You are to say to this people, 'This is what the LORD says: "I'm about to set before you the way of life and the way of death. NET Bible "But tell the people of Jerusalem that the LORD says, 'I will give you a choice between two courses of action. One will result in life; the other will result in death. New Heart English Bible To this people you shall say, "Thus says the LORD: 'Look, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Webster's Bible Translation And to this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFurthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. World English Bible “You shall say to this people, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“And you say to this people, Thus said YHWH: Behold, I am setting before you the way of life, "" And the way of death! Young's Literal Translation And unto this people thou dost say, Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am setting before you the way of life, And the way of death! Smith's Literal Translation And to this people thou shalt say, Thus said Jehovah, Behold me giving before your face the way of life and the way of death. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd to this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the Lord: Behold I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. Catholic Public Domain Version And to this people, you shall say: Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. New American Bible And to this people you shall say: Thus says the LORD: See, I am giving you a choice between the way to life and the way to death. New Revised Standard Version And to this people you shall say: Thus says the LORD: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd to this people you shall say, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And to this people say: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And unto this people thou shalt say: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt say to this people, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I have set before you the way of life, and the way of death. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jerusalem will Fall to Babylon…7‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ 8Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war.… Cross References Deuteronomy 30:15-19 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster. / For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. / But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, but are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, ... Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ezekiel 18:30-32 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. Psalm 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Matthew 19:17 “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Romans 8:6 The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, John 3:16-18 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. / Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Galatians 6:8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. Treasury of Scripture And to this people you shall say, Thus said the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. I set. Deuteronomy 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; Deuteronomy 30:15,19 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; … Isaiah 1:19,20 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: … Jump to Previous Death Furthermore Life Setting WayJump to Next Death Furthermore Life Setting WayJeremiah 21 1. Zedikiah sends to Jeremiah to enquire the event of Nebuchadnezzar's war.3. Jeremiah foretells a hard siege and miserable captivity. 8. He counsels the people to fall to the Chaldeans; 11. and upbraids the King's house. Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: This phrase emphasizes the role of the prophet as a messenger of God. Jeremiah, as a prophet, is tasked with delivering God's message to the people of Judah. This reflects the biblical theme of divine communication through chosen individuals. Prophets often served as intermediaries between God and His people, conveying warnings, guidance, and promises. The authority of the message is underscored by the phrase "this is what the LORD says," indicating that the words are not Jeremiah's own but are divinely inspired. ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of repentance and judgment. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through Jeremiah to communicate His will and the consequences of the people's choices. 3. The People of Judah The audience of Jeremiah's message, who were facing the impending threat of Babylonian invasion due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. 4. The Way of Life and the Way of Death A metaphorical choice presented by God, symbolizing obedience and disobedience, respectively. This choice reflects the broader biblical theme of choosing between following God or turning away. 5. Babylonian Invasion The historical context of this passage, where the Babylonian Empire was poised to conquer Jerusalem as a consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness. Teaching Points The Importance of ChoiceGod presents us with choices that have significant consequences. Our decisions reflect our faith and obedience to Him. Obedience Leads to Life Choosing the way of life involves aligning our actions with God's will, which leads to spiritual and often physical well-being. Consequences of Disobedience The way of death represents the natural outcome of turning away from God, leading to spiritual separation and often tangible suffering. God's Sovereignty and Mercy Even in judgment, God offers a choice, demonstrating His desire for repentance and restoration. Personal Reflection and Repentance This passage calls for introspection about our own choices and encourages us to turn back to God where we have strayed. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 21:8?2. How does Jeremiah 21:8 illustrate the choice between life and death spiritually? 3. What does "the way of life" mean in Jeremiah 21:8 for believers today? 4. How can Jeremiah 21:8 guide our daily decision-making as Christians? 5. What other scriptures emphasize choosing life over death in spiritual contexts? 6. How can we apply the message of Jeremiah 21:8 in our community outreach? 7. What does Jeremiah 21:8 reveal about God's view on human choice and free will? 8. How does Jeremiah 21:8 challenge the concept of predestination? 9. What historical context influenced the message in Jeremiah 21:8? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 21? 11. What is the meaning of Biblical prophecy? 12. In Jeremiah 38:4, why would seemingly devoted leaders seek to kill a prophet whom God had consistently used to speak truth? 13. What defines New Covenant Theology? 14. In Jeremiah 38:15–16, how reliable is the account of a secret meeting between Jeremiah and King Zedekiah when both sides had clear motives to document or distort events? What Does Jeremiah 21:8 Mean Furthermore, you are to tell this peopleJeremiah receives a direct assignment. The prophet doesn’t speak his own mind; he carries God’s urgent memo to Judah. • Similar commissions are seen in Jeremiah 1:7-8, where the LORD says, “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.” • Like Jeremiah, Ezekiel is appointed a watchman (Ezekiel 3:17), underscoring how seriously God takes getting His word to His people. • Notice the personal tone—“this people.” God addresses the nation in covenant terms, implying accountability for what they have already been told (compare Jeremiah 7:23-25). that this is what the LORD says: The authority behind the message is crystal clear. Jeremiah is not offering a suggestion; he is quoting the covenant Lord. • Isaiah frequently prefaces prophecies the same way: “This is what the LORD says” (Isaiah 1:18), reminding hearers that every word is backed by divine integrity (Numbers 23:19). • The phrase warns against dismissing the message. Rejecting it is rejecting God Himself, as echoed in 1 Thessalonians 4:8. Behold, A biblical attention-grabber that signals something weighty. • Deuteronomy 30:15-16 begins a similar life-or-death offer with “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” • Jesus uses the same call in John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God,” showing that heaven still calls us to stop, look, and listen. I set before you God presents a choice, placing two paths right in front of His people. • In Deuteronomy 11:26 the LORD said, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse,” highlighting His consistent way of dealing with covenant partners. • Joshua echoes it in Joshua 24:15, “Choose this day whom you will serve,” illustrating that God honors the moral agency He gave us. • The verb “set” emphasizes that the options are unmistakable; no one can claim ignorance once God spreads them out. the way of life and the way of death. The choices are stark. • Immediate context: those who surrender to the Babylonians will live; those who resist will die (Jeremiah 21:9). God is literally offering survival amid judgment. • Broader biblical theme: Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Jesus narrows it further in Matthew 7:13-14, contrasting the broad road to destruction with the narrow road that leads to life. • Eternal stakes: Romans 6:23 sums it up—“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Every generation faces this ultimate fork in the road. summary Jeremiah 21:8 captures God’s unwavering method: He speaks plainly, demands a response, and sets life and death before His people. For Judah, life meant obeying God’s instruction to surrender; death meant stubborn resistance. For us, the principle endures—God still places two paths in view, and the choice we make determines both present well-being and eternal destiny. (8) The way of life, and the way of death.--The words are not unlike those of Deuteronomy 11:26-27; Deuteronomy 30:15; Deuteronomy 30:19, but there is something like a solemn irony in their application here. They obviously present themselves, not with the wide spiritual application with which they meet us there, but are to be taken in their lowest and most literal sense. The "way of life" is no longer that way of righteousness which the men of Judah had forsaken, leading to the life of eternal blessedness, but simply submission to the Chaldaeans, and the life so gained was one of exile and poverty, if not of bondage also.Hebrew You are also to sayתֹּאמַ֔ר (tō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that people, הָעָ֤ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock ‘This is what כֹּ֖ה (kōh) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH says: אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say Behold, הִנְנִ֤י (hin·nî) Interjection | first person common singular Strong's 2005: Lo! behold! I set נֹתֵן֙ (nō·ṯên) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set before לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם (lip̄·nê·ḵem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face you אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the way דֶּ֥רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action of life הַחַיִּ֖ים (ha·ḥay·yîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life and the way דֶּ֥רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action of death. הַמָּֽוֶת׃ (ham·mā·weṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin Links Jeremiah 21:8 NIVJeremiah 21:8 NLT Jeremiah 21:8 ESV Jeremiah 21:8 NASB Jeremiah 21:8 KJV Jeremiah 21:8 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 21:8 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 21:8 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 21:8 French Bible Jeremiah 21:8 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 21:8 To this people you shall say Thus (Jer.) |
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