Jeremiah 1:19 kjv

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

Jeremiah 1:19 nkjv

They will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you," says the LORD, "to deliver you."

Jeremiah 1:19 niv

They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:19 esv

They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you."

Jeremiah 1:19 nlt

They will fight you, but they will fail.
For I am with you, and I will take care of you.
I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jeremiah 1 verses

Jeremiah 1 19 Meaning

Jeremiah 1:19 is a profound declaration of divine assurance and empowerment given to the prophet Jeremiah amidst his calling. It directly addresses the formidable opposition Jeremiah will face from the very people he is sent to address. The verse unequivocally promises that though these powerful adversaries will engage in conflict against him, they will ultimately be powerless to overcome or prevail against him. This invincibility is not due to Jeremiah's own strength but solely because God Himself is present with him, actively committed to rescue and deliver him from all harm. It highlights God's sovereignty over all human resistance and guarantees the fulfillment of His divine purpose through His chosen servant.

Jeremiah 1 19 Context

Jeremiah 1:19 concludes the detailed account of Jeremiah's divine call and commission. Following the initial surprise and hesitation of Jeremiah (v. 6), God forcefully empowers him with divine words (v. 9) and a broad, weighty commission involving both destruction and building (v. 10). The Lord then shows Jeremiah two visions (almond tree, boiling pot), revealing His immediate vigilance over His word and the imminent threat from the North (vv. 11-16). Crucially, prior to verse 19, God commands Jeremiah to "get up and tell them everything I command you" and explicitly warns him not to be "terrified by them" (v. 17). Verse 18 then dramatically states that God is making Jeremiah like a "fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall" against the formidable forces of the entire land – kings, officials, priests, and the people. Thus, verse 19 serves as the ultimate assurance, the divine guarantee for Jeremiah's unwavering stance against such powerful and unified opposition. It grounds his strength and resilience not in his human capacity but in God's direct, intervening presence.

Jeremiah 1 19 Word analysis

• "They will fight against you" (וְנִלְחֲמוּ אֵלֶיךָ, w'nil·kha·mu e·le·kha):

  • NILKHAMU: From the root לָחַם (lacham), meaning "to fight," "wage war." The Niphal imperfect form here denotes a reciprocal action, implying a direct and active conflict from others against Jeremiah. It anticipates a fierce and genuine struggle, not a minor disagreement. This struggle is portrayed as comprehensive, from "kings of Judah" to "the people of the land" (Jer 1:18), indicating societal-level opposition.
  • This term underscores the reality and intensity of the prophetic ministry, which often involved direct confrontation with powerful institutions and popular sentiments, demanding a profound sense of courage and divine backing.

• "but will not overcome you" (וְלֹא יֽוּכְלוּ לָךְ, v'lo yu·khe·lu lakh):

  • LO YUKHELŪ: From the root יָכֹל (yakol), meaning "to be able," "to prevail," "to endure." The negation (lo) signifies complete inability or utter futility on the part of the opponents. Despite their fierce fighting, they will lack the power, authority, or success to truly defeat or stop Jeremiah in his divinely appointed mission.
  • LĀCH: The suffix refers to Jeremiah personally. It implies that their inability is specifically related to preventing his divine commission or causing him spiritual or ultimate downfall, rather than a guarantee against all physical suffering or imprisonment.
  • This phrase acts as a definitive counter-statement to the intense opposition described, shifting the focus from the power of the enemies to their ultimate impotence against God's will.

• "for I am with you" (כִּ֛י אִתְּךָ֥ אֲנִ֖י, ki it·te·kha a·ni):

  • KĪ: A strong causal conjunction, "for" or "because," presenting the divine presence as the sole and irrefutable reason for Jeremiah's invincibility.
  • ITTKHAH: The preposition עֵת (‘it or et), meaning "with," coupled with the second person singular suffix, indicating close proximity and alliance. This is more than just spatial presence; it signifies active, enabling, and protective partnership.
  • ANI: The emphatic first-person singular pronoun "I." God Himself (YHWH) is declaring His presence, lending infinite weight and authority to the promise. This personal affirmation underlines God's unwavering commitment to His prophet. It removes any doubt about the source of Jeremiah's strength and victory.
  • This phrase is the bedrock of the entire promise, turning Jeremiah from a timid man into an unyielding instrument of God.

• "to rescue you" (לְהַצִּילֶֽךָ, l'hatz·tzil·eka):

  • L'HATZZILEKHA: From the Hiphil infinitive construct of the root נָצַל (natsal), meaning "to snatch away," "to deliver," "to rescue." The Hiphil stem indicates that God will actively cause Jeremiah to be delivered or rescued. It conveys divine intervention that plucks one out of danger.
  • This highlights the active purpose of God's presence—not merely a static being "with" Jeremiah, but a dynamic, intervening force guaranteeing his salvation from destructive harm related to his ministry.

• "declares the Lord" (נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה, nĕ’um-YHWH):

  • N'UM YHWH: A standard prophetic formula meaning "the utterance of YHWH." Ne’um often introduces an authoritative, binding, and unchangeable divine oracle.
  • YHWH: The covenant name of God, indicating His faithfulness, sovereignty, and unchangeable character. This solemn affirmation lends absolute certainty to the promise, guaranteeing its fulfillment because it originates from the supreme and faithful God. It serves as an indelible divine seal on the entire declaration.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "They will fight against you but will not overcome you": This initial phrase establishes the inevitable conflict ("fight") and then immediately nullifies the opponents' power ("will not overcome"). It sets up a contrast between human opposition (significant and real) and divine ultimate control (decisive and final), teaching that genuine threats will arise but divine purpose cannot be thwarted by them.
  • "for I am with you to rescue you": This central promise directly links Jeremiah's promised victory and protection to God's personal and active presence. It defines the source of strength and the ultimate outcome, clearly attributing any success to God alone. God's presence is not passive; it is purposeful and action-oriented towards salvation.
  • "for I am with you to rescue you,” declares the Lord.": The structure emphasizes God's personal involvement, His specific protective action, and His unassailable authority. It is a testament to God's sovereign care over His chosen instruments, ensuring that His word, spoken through His prophet, will ultimately achieve its purpose regardless of the power or number of adversaries.

Jeremiah 1 19 Bonus section

The phrase "I am with you" (אִתְּךָ אֲנִי, itt'kha ani) is a common covenantal formula in the Old Testament, often appearing in contexts of divine commissioning, reassuring those called to difficult tasks, such as Moses (Ex 3:12), Joshua (Josh 1:5), and Gideon (Judg 6:16). Its use here powerfully connects Jeremiah's call to the foundational experiences of God's leading figures, indicating the divine empowerment is deeply rooted in His covenant faithfulness. The declaration "declares the Lord" also marks this promise as an absolute and unwavering oracle, emanating from the divine throne and carrying the full weight of God's character and authority. It is an act of empowering revelation rather than mere comfort, imparting divine fortitude directly to Jeremiah. This assurance means Jeremiah is fortified, not by human will, but by divine presence transforming him into an impregnable vessel for God's word.

Jeremiah 1 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 1:19 encapsulates the core truth of the prophetic ministry: that despite immense, unavoidable opposition, the true prophet is invincible through God's unwavering presence and active deliverance. It is not an assurance of an easy path, free from suffering or danger (Jeremiah's life vividly contradicts this), but a guarantee that no foe, however powerful, can ultimately nullify God's call or destroy the prophet in a way that prevents the divine message from being delivered or its purpose fulfilled. This verse emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical events and human agents, revealing that He is the ultimate power who secures His servants in their mission. It teaches that faithfulness to God's word, even amidst great peril, finds its vindication in God's protective and preserving hand, ensuring that His counsel stands.