Jeremiah33
New American Standard
1Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, saying,
2“This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to create it, He whose name is the Lord:
3‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
4For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah which have been torn down to make a defense against the assault ramps and the sword:
5‘While they are coming to fight the Chaldeans and to fill their houses with the bodies of people whom I have struck down in My anger and My wrath, and I have hidden My face from this city because of all their wickedness:
6Behold, I am going to bring to it healing and a remedy, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.
7And I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and will rebuild them as they were at first.
8And I will cleanse them from all their wrongdoing by which they have sinned against Me, and I will forgive all their wrongdoings by which they have sinned against Me and revolted against Me.
9It will be to Me a name of joy, praise, and glory before all the nations of the earth, which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will be frightened and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it.’
10“This is what the Lord says: ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, “It is a waste, without man and without animal,” that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, without man and without inhabitant and without animal,
11the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, “Give thanks to the Lord of armies, For the Lord is good, For His mercy is everlasting,” as they bring a thanksgiving offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the Lord.
12“This is what the Lord of armies says: ‘There will again be in this place which is waste, without man or animal, and in all its cities, a pasture for shepherds who rest their flocks.
13In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the Negev, in the land of Benjamin, in the areas surrounding Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them,’ says the Lord.
14‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
15In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch of David sprout; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.
16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety; and this is the name by which it will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.’
17For this is what the Lord says: ‘David shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel;
18and the Levitical priests shall not lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to prepare sacrifices continually.’”
19And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying,
20“This is what the Lord says: ‘If you can break My covenant for the day and My covenant for the night, so that day and night do not occur at their proper time,
21then My covenant with David My servant may also be broken, so that he will not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levitical priests, My ministers.
22As the heavenly lights cannot be counted, and the sand of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who serve Me.’”
23And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying,
24“Have you not observed what these people have asserted, saying, ‘The two families which the Lord chose, He has rejected them’? So they despise My people as no longer being a nation in their sight.
25This is what the Lord says: ‘If My covenant for day and night does not continue, and I have not established the fixed patterns of heaven and earth,
26then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, so as not to take from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I will restore their fortunes and have mercy on them.’”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 33.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The restoration of the Jews. (1-13). The Messiah promised; happiness of his times. (14-26).
vv1-13
Those who expect to receive comforts from God, must call upon him. Promises are given, not to do away, but to quicken and encourage prayer. These promises lead us to the gospel of Christ; and in that God has revealed truth to direct us, and peace to make us easy. All who by sanctifying grace are cleansed from the filth of sin, by pardoning mercy are freed from the guilt. When sinners are thus justified, washed, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit, they are enabled to walk before God in peace and purity. Many are led to perceive the real difference between the people of God and the world around them, and to fear the Divine wrath. It is promised that the people who were long in sorrow, shall again be filled with joy. Where the Lord gives righteousness and peace, he will give all needful supplies for temporal wants; and all we have will be comforts, as sanctified by the word and by prayer.
vv14-26
To crown the blessings God has in store, here is a promise of the Messiah. He imparts righteousness to his church, for he is made of God to us righteousness; and believers are made the righteousness of God in him. Christ is our Lord God, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. But in this world prosperity and adversity succeed each other, as light and darkness, day and night. The covenant of priesthood shall be secured. And all true believers are a holy priesthood, a royal priesthood, they offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God; themselves, in the first place, as living sacrifices. The promises of that covenant shall have full accomplishment in the gospel Israel. In Gal. 6:16, all that walk according to the gospel rule, are made to be the Israel of God, on whom shall be peace and mercy. Let us not despise the families which were of old the chosen people of God, though for a time they seem to be cast off.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
שֵׁנִי: properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
עָצָר: to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
חָצֵר: a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
מַטָּרָא: a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched)
כֹּה: properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יָצַר: to mould into a form; especially as apotter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)
Cross References
Jeremiah 33Direct verbal parallel promising the righteous Branch of David to execute judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallel designation of the Messiah/city as "The Lord our righteousness" (Jehovah Tsidkenu).
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Uses identical metaphorical language of bringing health and cure to wounded Zion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical fulfillment where returning exiles sang these exact words of praise in Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes the historical setting: Jeremiah shut up in the court of the prison.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels God forming His purpose from ancient times to execute it.
Supported by JFB
Connects God's promise of restoration with the requirement to call and pray.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Thematic link of calling upon the Lord and receiving His answer.
Supported by JFB
Parallel mention of the siege mounts thrown up against Jerusalem's houses.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Parallels cleansing from iniquity using the imagery of ritual purification.
Supported by JFB
Echoes Israel being created to be a name, praise, and glory to God.
Supported by JFB
Explains the practice of sheep passing under the hand/rod of the shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the apostle's prison experience: though bound, God's word is not.
Supported by JFB
Exalts the pardoning grace of God who passes over transgressions.
Supported by JFB
New Testament application of the covenant promises to the "Israel of God."
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the significance of "the LORD" (Jehovah) as His covenant name.
Supported by JFB