The Meaning of Jeremiah 21:6 Explained

Jeremiah 21:6

KJV: And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

YLT: And I have smitten the inhabitants of this city, Both man and beast, By a great pestilence do they die.

Darby: And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

ASV: And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And I will smite  the inhabitants  of this city,  both man  and beast:  they shall die  of a great  pestilence. 

What does Jeremiah 21:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Jeremiah 21:1-14 - The Folly Of Idolatry
Jeremiah 10:1-10
We are here introduced into an idol-factory. Contrasted with the manufactured idols is the majesty of our God. There is none like Him. His name is great in might; He is the King of the nations, the true and living God, and the everlasting King! Christian, fear not or be dismayed when enemies plot against you. It is a vain device that they frame. To hide in God is a sure defence from all that man can do for our hurt. O thou true and living Savior, in thy wounds harried and faithful souls become strong and brave again.
Jeremiah 10:19-25
The prophet now bids the people prepare for their captivity. Their city would be as when a shepherd removed his slight and insubstantial tent, leaving no trace. But Jeremiah's soul is lacerated and torn with the message he must needs announce. Are we called to be shepherds? Let us see to it that we seek the Lord; so only shall our flocks not be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21. Are we in perplexity as to our path in life? It is not for us to direct ourselves, but to look up for God's sure guidance, which will be given to the soul that waits for it, Jeremiah 10:23. Are we being corrected? Let us be patient; it is only when we endure without complaining that our trial works out the highest good, and God will not give us more than we can bear, Jeremiah 10:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 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

What do the individual words in Jeremiah 21:6 mean?

And I will strike - the inhabitants of city this and both man and beast of a pestilence great they shall die
וְהִכֵּיתִ֗י אֶת־ יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙ הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֔את וְאֶת־ הָאָדָ֖ם וְאֶת־ הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה בְּדֶ֥בֶר גָּד֖וֹל יָמֻֽתוּ

וְהִכֵּיתִ֗י  And  I  will  strike 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: נָכָה  
Sense: to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
יֽוֹשְׁבֵי֙  the  inhabitants 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
הָעִ֣יר  of  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
הַזֹּ֔את  this 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
וְאֶת־  and  both 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָאָדָ֖ם  man 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.
הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה  beast 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בְּהֵמָה  
Sense: beast, cattle, animal.
בְּדֶ֥בֶר  of  a  pestilence 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: דֶּבֶר 
Sense: pestilence, plague.
גָּד֖וֹל  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: גָּבֹול 
Sense: great.
יָמֻֽתוּ  they  shall  die 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.