Jeremiah 21:2
New International Version
“Inquire now of the LORD for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.”

New Living Translation
“Please speak to the LORD for us and ask him to help us. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is attacking Judah. Perhaps the LORD will be gracious and do a mighty miracle as he has done in the past. Perhaps he will force Nebuchadnezzar to withdraw his armies.”

English Standard Version
“Inquire of the LORD for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all his wonderful deeds and will make him withdraw from us.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

King James Bible
Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

New King James Version
“Please inquire of the LORD for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful works, that the king may go away from us.”

New American Standard Bible
“Please inquire of the LORD in our behalf, because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us in accordance with all His wonderful acts, so that the enemy will withdraw from us.”

NASB 1995
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful acts, so that the enemy will withdraw from us.”

NASB 1977
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all His wonderful acts, that the enemy may withdraw from us.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“Please inquire of Yahweh on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is warring against us; perhaps Yahweh will deal with us according to all His wonderful acts, so that the enemy will go up from us.”

Amplified Bible
“Please inquire of the LORD for us, because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will deal [favorably] with us according to all His wonderful works and force him to withdraw from us.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all his past wondrous works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Ask the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonderful works so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”

American Standard Version
Inquire, I pray thee, of Jehovah for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us: peradventure Jehovah will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

Contemporary English Version
"King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia has attacked Judah. Please ask the LORD to work miracles for our people, as he has done in the past, so that Nebuchadnezzar will leave us alone."

English Revised Version
Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us: peradventure the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Consult the LORD for us, because King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is attacking us. Maybe the LORD will perform miracles for us so that Nebuchadnezzar will retreat."

Good News Translation
"Please speak to the LORD for us, because King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia and his army are besieging the city. Maybe the LORD will perform one of his miracles for us and force Nebuchadnezzar to retreat."

International Standard Version
Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is fighting against us. Perhaps the LORD will do some of his miraculous acts for us, and Nebuchadnezzar will depart from us."

Majority Standard Bible
?Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.?

NET Bible
"Please ask the LORD to come and help us, because King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is attacking us. Maybe the LORD will perform one of his miracles as in times past and make him stop attacking us and leave."

New Heart English Bible
"Please inquire of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us: perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us."

Webster's Bible Translation
Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; it may be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

World English Bible
“Please inquire of Yahweh for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon makes war against us. Perhaps Yahweh will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may withdraw from us.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Please inquire of YHWH for us, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has fought against us; perhaps YHWH deals with us according to all His wonders, and causes him to go up from off us.”

Young's Literal Translation
'Inquire, we pray thee, for us at Jehovah, for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath fought against us; perhaps Jehovah doth deal with us according to all His wonders, and doth cause him to go up from off us.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Seek now: Jehovah for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel is warring against us; perhaps Jehovah will do with us his wonders, and he shall go up from us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Inquire of the Lord for us, for Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon maketh war against us: if so be the Lord will deal with us according to all his wonderful works, that he may depart from us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Question the Lord on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, is fighting against us. Perhaps it may be that the Lord will act toward us according to all his wonders, and he may withdraw from us.”

New American Bible
Inquire for us of the LORD, because Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is attacking us. Perhaps the LORD will act for us in accord with his wonderful works by making him withdraw from us.

New Revised Standard Version
“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, for King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon is making war against us; perhaps the LORD will perform a wonderful deed for us, as he has often done, and will make him withdraw from us.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Enquire of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war against us; perhaps the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, and cause the enemy to withdraw from us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Pray for us from LORD JEHOVAH, because Nebukadnetsar the King of Babel fights with us! Perhaps LORD JEHOVAH shall do with us according to all his wonders and he shall take him away from us!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; peradventure the LORD will deal with us according to all His wondrous works, that he may go up from us.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Enquire of the Lord for us; for the king of Babylon has risen up against us; if the Lord will do according to all his wonderful works, and the king shall depart from us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem will Fall to Babylon
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, 2“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” 3But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that…

Cross References
2 Kings 25:1-7
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. ...

2 Chronicles 36:17-20
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, / who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. / Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. ...

Ezekiel 21:18-27
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Now you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same land. And make a signpost where the road branches off to each city. / Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem. ...

Isaiah 37:1-7
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz / to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. ...

Lamentations 2:2-9
Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes. / In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it. / He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion. ...

Jeremiah 37:3-10
Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” / Now Jeremiah was free to come and go among the people, for they had not yet put him in prison. / Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem. ...

Jeremiah 38:14-28
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.” ...

Jeremiah 52:4-11
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. ...

Ezekiel 17:15-21
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. ...

2 Kings 24:18-20
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. / And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done. / For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Isaiah 39:5-7
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD of Hosts: / The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

Matthew 24:15-22
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. ...

Luke 21:20-24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ...

Mark 13:14-20
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak. ...

Revelation 18:2-8
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. / All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.” / Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Inquire, I pray you, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon makes war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.

Enquire.

Jeremiah 37:3,7
And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us…

Jeremiah 38:14-27
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me…

Jeremiah 42:4-6
Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you…

for.

Jeremiah 32:24
Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest it.

Jeremiah 39:1,2
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it…

Jeremiah 52:3-6
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon…

according.

Exodus 14:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 15:1
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Joshua 10:1
Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

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Acts Babylon Deal Enemy Enquire Inquire Makes Maketh Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadrezzar Peradventure Please War Withdraw Wonderful Wondrous Works
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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.














Please inquire of the LORD for us
This phrase reflects a moment of desperation and recognition of divine authority. The Hebrew root for "inquire" is "דָּרַשׁ" (darash), which means to seek, require, or consult. This indicates a proactive seeking of God's guidance, showing that the people, despite their rebellion, acknowledge the need for divine intervention. Historically, this request comes during a time of crisis as the Babylonian army threatens Jerusalem. It underscores the belief that God is sovereign over nations and events, and His guidance is crucial in times of distress.

because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us
This phrase situates the verse in a specific historical context. Nebuchadnezzar, known from both biblical and extra-biblical sources, was a powerful ruler of Babylon, and his campaigns against Judah are well-documented. The Hebrew term for "waging war" is "נִלְחָם" (nilcham), which conveys the idea of engaging in battle or conflict. This highlights the immediate threat facing Jerusalem and the urgency of the situation. The mention of Nebuchadnezzar serves as a reminder of the geopolitical realities of the time and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings about foreign invasions due to the people's disobedience.

Perhaps the LORD will perform for us
The word "perhaps" (אוּלַי, ulay) suggests uncertainty and hope. It reflects a glimmer of faith that God might still act on their behalf despite their unfaithfulness. The phrase "perform for us" uses the Hebrew "עָשָׂה" (asah), meaning to do or make, indicating a desire for God to intervene miraculously. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's people, even in their waywardness, hope for His mercy and deliverance.

something like all His past wonders
This phrase recalls the mighty acts of God in Israel's history, such as the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan. The Hebrew word for "wonders" is "נִפְלָאוֹת" (niflaot), which refers to extraordinary acts that inspire awe. By invoking God's past deeds, the people express a longing for a return to divine favor and miraculous intervention. This appeal to history serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in His ability to deliver and save, even when circumstances seem dire.

(2) Nebuchadrezzar.--This form of the name, as might be expected in the writings of one who was personally brought into contact with the king and his officers, is more correct than that of Nebuchadnezzar, which we find elsewhere, and even in Jeremiah's own writings (Jeremiah 34:1; Jeremiah 39:5).

The name has been variously interpreted by scholars as "Nebo protects against misfortune," "Nebo protects the land-marks," "Nebo protects the crown," or "Fire, the shining God."

If so be that the Lord will deal with us . . .--The messengers come to inquire of the prophet, and yet suggest the answer which he is expected to give. Jehovah is to show His wondrous works in the deliverance of the city. The history of Sennacherib's army (2 Kings 19; Isaiah 37) was probably present to their minds. It was apparently an attempt on the part of the king and his counsellors, under the show of a devout reverence, to entice Jeremiah to change his tone and side with the policy of resistance to the Chaldaeans. In Jeremiah 37:3 we have another like mission, coming apparently at a somewhat later date in the reign of Zedekiah

That he may go up from us.--i.e., in modern phraseology, that he may "raise the siege."

Verse 2. - Nebuchadrezzar. This form predominates in Jeremiah and Daniel, and is the only form found in Ezekiel. It is, in fact, the correct way of spelling the name, which is in Babylonian Nabu-kudura-ucur, i.e. "Nebo, protect [or perhaps, 'has made'] the crown." According to all his wondrous works; e.g., the destruction of Sennacherib, which must have occurred in the first instance to the minds of devout Jews.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Please
נָ֤א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

inquire
דְּרָשׁ־ (də·rāš-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

on our behalf,
בַעֲדֵ֙נוּ֙ (ḇa·‘ă·ḏê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

since
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Nebuchadnezzar
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר (nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5019: Nebuchadnezzar -- 'Nebo, protect the boundary', a Babylonian king

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Babylon
בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city

is waging war
נִלְחָ֣ם (nil·ḥām)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against us.
עָלֵ֑ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Perhaps
אוּלַי֩ (’ū·lay)
Adverb
Strong's 194: Perhaps

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will perform
יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה (ya·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for us
אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙ (’ō·w·ṯā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

something like all
כְּכָל־ (kə·ḵāl-)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

His past wonders,
נִפְלְאֹתָ֔יו (nip̄·lə·’ō·ṯāw)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6381: To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful

so that [Nebuchadnezzar] will withdraw
וְיַעֲלֶ֖ה (wə·ya·‘ă·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from us.”
מֵעָלֵֽינוּ׃ (mê·‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition-m | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 21:2 Please inquire of Yahweh for us (Jer.)
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