Definition: And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 21:6. It’s a really powerful and disturbing passage about God's judgment. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to punish a city – specifically, the city of Judah – for a terrible act of rebellion and wickedness. He intends to kill everyone inside the city, both people and animals. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And I will smite the inhabitants of this city…” : This is God's direct command. He’s going to actively inflict harm on the people of Judah. "Smite" means to punish severely, to harshly inflict pain or death. “…both man and beast” : This isn’t just about killing people. It’s about causing a massive plague (a sickness) that will kill everyone inside the city. It's a complete and devastating disaster. “They shall die of a great pestilence.” : This is the key part. The verse says that the plague will be so severe – so deadly – that it will cause everyone to die. It’s not just a few people dying; it’s a widespread, uncontrollable death. What's the Context? Jeremiah was writing during a time of great political and spiritual turmoil in Judah. The people had been disobeying God’s laws for many years, and they were becoming increasingly wicked and rebellious. God is showing his displeasure with this behavior. This verse is a consequence of their choices. Important Note: This passage is incredibly difficult to understand because it deals with a very harsh and violent judgment. It's meant to be a warning about the dangers of sin and disobedience. In short, this verse describes God’s severe punishment for Judah's wickedness, resulting in a massive plague that will kill everyone. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the passage? Talk about the historical context of this verse? Discuss what it might mean for us today?