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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 21:8 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/21-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/24_Jer_21_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 21:8 - Jerusalem will Fall to Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall also say to this people, &#8216Thus says the LORD, &#8220Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall also say to this people, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220But you must say to this people, &#8216This is what the LORD says: Look, I am presenting to you the way of life and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then I told them that the LORD had said: People of Jerusalem, I, the LORD, give you the choice of life or death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Say to these people, 'This is what the LORD says: I am going to give you the choice of life or death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />To this people you shall say, "Thus says the LORD: 'Look, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall say to this people, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“And you say to this people, Thus said YHWH: Behold, I am setting before you the way of life, "" And the way of death!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And to this people say: “Thus says LORD JEHOVAH, ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6131" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/21.htm">Jerusalem will Fall to Babylon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>‘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.’ <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Furthermore, you are to tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">that this is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">‘Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">I set</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê·ḵem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ha·ḥay·yîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">of life</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">and the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/4194.htm" title="4194: ham·mā·weṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- Death. From muwth; death; concretely, the dead, their place or state; figuratively, pestilence, ruin.">of death.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Whoever 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-15.htm">Deuteronomy 30:15-19</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-6.htm">Psalm 1:6</a></span><br />For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-17.htm">Matthew 19:17</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Romans 8:6</a></span><br />The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16-18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-8.htm">Galatians 6:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">I set.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/11-26.htm">Deuteronomy 11:26</a></b></br> Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-15.htm">Deuteronomy 30:15,19</a></b></br> See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-19.htm">Isaiah 1:19,20</a></b></br> If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/21-6.htm">Death</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-10.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm">Life</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-11.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-2.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/21-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/jeremiah/26-24.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-25.htm">Life</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-11.htm">Setting</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-21.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/21-1.htm">Zedikiah sends to Jeremiah to enquire the event of Nebuchadnezzar's war.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/21-3.htm">Jeremiah foretells a hard siege and miserable captivity.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/21-8.htm">He counsels the people to fall to the Chaldeans;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/21-11.htm">and upbraids the King's house.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says:</b><br>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.<p><b>‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.</b><br>This phrase presents a clear choice between two paths, reminiscent of the choices given in <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm">Deuteronomy 30:19</a>, where Moses sets before the Israelites life and death, blessings and curses. The imagery of two paths is a common biblical motif, symbolizing the moral and spiritual decisions that individuals and nations must make. In the context of Jeremiah, this choice is particularly poignant as it relates to the impending Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The "way of life" likely refers to surrendering to the Babylonians, which would lead to survival, while the "way of death" refers to resisting, which would result in destruction. This choice also foreshadows the ultimate choice between spiritual life and death, pointing to the New Testament teachings of Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to those who follow Him (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through Jeremiah to communicate His will and the consequences of the people's choices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The audience of Jeremiah's message, who were facing the impending threat of Babylonian invasion due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_way_of_life_and_the_way_of_death.htm">The Way of Life and the Way of Death</a></b><br>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.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_invasion.htm">Babylonian Invasion</a></b><br>The historical context of this passage, where the Babylonian Empire was poised to conquer Jerusalem as a consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_choice.htm">The Importance of Choice</a></b><br>God presents us with choices that have significant consequences. Our decisions reflect our faith and obedience to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_leads_to_life.htm">Obedience Leads to Life</a></b><br>Choosing the way of life involves aligning our actions with God's will, which leads to spiritual and often physical well-being.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The way of death represents the natural outcome of turning away from God, leading to spiritual separation and often tangible suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_mercy.htm">God's Sovereignty and Mercy</a></b><br>Even in judgment, God offers a choice, demonstrating His desire for repentance and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection_and_repentance.htm">Personal Reflection and Repentance</a></b><br>This passage calls for introspection about our own choices and encourages us to turn back to God where we have strayed.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_biblical_prophecy's_meaning.htm">What is the meaning of Biblical prophecy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_leaders_want_to_kill_jeremiah.htm">In Jeremiah 38:4, why would seemingly devoted leaders seek to kill a prophet whom God had consistently used to speak truth? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_new_covenant_theology.htm">What defines New Covenant Theology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_38_15-16's_account_reliable.htm">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? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">The way of life, and the way of death.</span>--The words are not unlike those of <a href="/context/deuteronomy/11-26.htm" title="Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;">Deuteronomy 11:26-27</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/30-15.htm" title="See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil;">Deuteronomy 30:15</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/30-19.htm" title="I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:">Deuteronomy 30:19</a>, 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.<span class= "bld"><p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You are also to say</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאמַ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(tō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘This is what</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says:</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנְנִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I set</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹתֵן֙</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֥רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of life</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחַיִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥay·yîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the way</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֥רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of death.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּֽוֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·weṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> </span><span class="str2">Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/21-8.htm">Jeremiah 21:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/21-8.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 21:8 To this people you shall say Thus (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 21:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 21:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/21-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 21:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 21:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>