THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Jeremiah replied that the Lord would bring ruin upon the wicked due to their prior transgressions, particularly regarding the mistreatment of the poor and the vulnerable, whom the Jews were currently afflicting and exploiting.
Jeremiah 21:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And Jeremiah said to them: Thus shall you say to Sedecias:
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ אֲלֵיהֶ֑ם כֹּ֥ה תֹאמְרֻ֖ן אֶל־צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
Jeremiah conveyed to them the following message for Zedekiah: This is the declaration of the Lord God of Israel. Behold, I will direct against you the tools of war that you wield in your battle against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are surrounding your city’s walls. I will gather these instruments in the heart of this city and will engage you in battle with an outstretched arm and a mighty hand, fueled by fury, indignation, and great wrath. I will strike the inhabitants of this city—both man and beast shall perish from a severe pestilence. You strive in vain to oppose the Chaldeans who are laying siege to you, preparing your weapons for conflict; yet within your city walls, they shall serve you no purpose.
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During this siege, I will contend with you using my mighty arm, unleashing my wrath and fury, so that both you and all the residents of the city will meet your end through famine and disease. It is recorded that all these prophecies came to pass, for the city fell after a siege characterized by no resistance or combat, leading only to captivity, as there was no one left to conquer. Indeed, it is said that fewer were those who fell by the sword than those who succumbed to starvation.
Theodoret of Cyrus
Thus declares the Sovereign Lord of Israel. Observe, I shall redirect the instruments of conflict that you possess; with them, you will confront the King of Babylon and the Chaldeans who are besieging you outside your fortifications, and I will bring these matters into the heart of this city. And I will contend against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, filled with fierce anger, wrath, and great indignation. This signifies that your armaments will be ineffective, as I am the commander of your adversaries, and through them, I will wage war against you. Furthermore, He promises to deliver you to famine, death, and exile, even entrusting King Zedekiah to the soldiers and guards, who will slay some and carry others away. And God instructs the people to declare the following: