Jeremiah 1:8 kjv

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:8 nkjv

Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:8 niv

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:8 esv

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 1:8 nlt

And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Jeremiah 1 verses

Jeremiah 1 8 Meaning

Jeremiah 1:8 delivers a direct and powerful divine injunction to the newly called prophet Jeremiah. It commands him, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord. This verse serves as God's personal assurance and protective promise, counteracting the natural human fear Jeremiah might feel concerning his challenging mission and the powerful figures he is commissioned to confront. It grounds his future courage and unwavering obedience in the active presence and faithful power of YHWH Himself.

Jeremiah 1 8 Context

Jeremiah 1:8 stands at a pivotal point in the prophetic calling of Jeremiah, immediately following God's designation of him as a prophet to the nations (v. 5) and Jeremiah's initial protest regarding his youth and inability to speak (v. 6). In verse 7, God directly refutes Jeremiah's self-assessment, commissioning him regardless. Verse 8 then addresses the underlying fear Jeremiah undoubtedly felt concerning the daunting task and the formidable opposition he would face. The preceding verses establish his prophetic identity, while verse 8 provides the essential divine foundation for his obedience: God's unfailing presence and promised deliverance. Historically, Judah was rapidly declining, caught between competing superpowers (Egypt and Babylon), and riddled with spiritual apostasy, false prophets, and corrupt leadership. Jeremiah was called to deliver an unpopular message of repentance, judgment, and ultimately, hope, to kings, officials, priests, and the entire populace (Jer 1:18), necessitating a deep well of divine courage to confront such formidable opposition.

Jeremiah 1 8 Word analysis

• "Do not be afraid": לֹא תִירָא (Lo' tira')
  • לֹא (Lo'): A strong negative particle, rendering a firm prohibition, "not."
  • תִירָא (tira'): Second person singular masculine imperfect verb from the root ירא (yara'), meaning "to fear, be afraid, revere." In this imperative form, it's a direct command against giving in to fear. This same command is frequently given by God to His servants when calling them to difficult tasks, signifying that human fear is a natural initial reaction to divine calling, which God Himself must address and overcome. It suggests not just an absence of fear but active courage rooted in faith.
• "of them": מִפְּנֵיהֶם (mippeneihem)
  • מִ (mi-): Preposition meaning "from" or "because of."
  • פְּנֵי (penei): From פָּנֶה (paneh), meaning "face" or "presence."
  • הֶם (-hem): Third person masculine plural pronominal suffix, referring to "them."
  • Together, literally "from their face/presence." This clearly identifies the source of potential fear: the people Jeremiah is sent to, particularly the powerful figures mentioned later in 1:18—kings, officials, priests, and the people of the land. It emphasizes facing direct opposition and the personal courage required.
• "for I am with you": כִּי אִתְּךָ אֲנִי (ki ittekha ani)
  • כִּי (ki): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "indeed," introducing the reason or ground for the command "do not be afraid."
  • אִתְּךָ (ittekha): Preposition אֵת (et) "with" + 2nd person masculine singular pronominal suffix "-you." Signifies presence and accompaniment.
  • אֲנִי (ani): First person singular independent pronoun "I" (emphatic form of "I am").
  • This is a foundational declaration of divine presence (Immanu-El, "God with us"), frequently appearing in commissioning texts throughout Scripture. It implies not just proximity but active support, solidarity, and powerful assistance. God's identity as "I Am" is underscored here in relation to Jeremiah.
• "to deliver you": לְהַצִּילְךָ (lehatztzilekha)
  • לְ (le-): Preposition meaning "to," indicating purpose or result.
  • הַצִּילְךָ (hatztzilekha): Infinitive construct of the Hiphil verb נצל (natsal), meaning "to rescue," "to snatch away," "to deliver," "to preserve." The Hiphil stem indicates causing deliverance or being caused to deliver. The -kha suffix is "you."
  • This clarifies the purpose of God's presence: to actively protect Jeremiah from harm or danger threatened by "them." It ensures his safety in fulfilling his prophetic role, implying both spiritual and physical preservation amidst peril.
• "declares the Lord": נְאֻם יְהוָה (ne'um YHWH)
  • נְאֻם (ne'um): A noun meaning "utterance," "declaration," "oracle." It typically introduces a divine word, highlighting its authoritative and absolute nature. It is exclusively used for the words of God or through His prophet.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The personal covenant name of God, commonly rendered "the Lord." This Name emphasizes God's self-existence, faithfulness, and His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of YHWH signifies the ultimate divine authority and reliability of the promise.

Words-Group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not be afraid of them": This phrase highlights Jeremiah's specific challenge: human opposition. God knows and acknowledges the intimidation his prophet will face from those in power and the general populace. It's a divine imperative against a natural human reaction.
• "for I am with you to deliver you": This phrase provides the comprehensive divine basis for the command not to fear. God's presence is the guarantee, and His power (to deliver/rescue) is the concrete demonstration of that presence. It transitions from a negative command to a positive promise, shifting the focus from the human object of fear ("them") to the divine subject of security ("I"). The sequence underscores that divine presence (active involvement) naturally leads to deliverance.
• "declares the Lord": This formal prophetic utterance closes the statement, sealing the divine authority, certainty, and inviolability of the promise. It underscores that this is not a human assurance but an infallible declaration from the Almighty, covenant-keeping God.

Jeremiah 1 8 Bonus section

The pattern of "Do not fear, for I am with you" (or variations) is a theological motif throughout Scripture, especially during divine commissioning or moments of crisis (e.g., to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Paul). This repetition emphasizes its absolute foundational nature in the life of faith and obedience. God’s direct intervention with this promise immediately addresses the human dimension of Jeremiah's prophetic calling—his perceived weakness and fear (v.6). It teaches that God does not merely call the equipped but equips the called, often by banishing fear and guaranteeing His enabling presence and protection. The divine assurance of Immanu-El ("God with us") here transcends mere comfort; it is an active guarantee that despite outward vulnerability, the servant of the Lord is inviolable in their divinely appointed task until its completion. God's deliverance here extends not just to physical preservation but also to safeguarding the integrity and effectiveness of the prophetic message.

Jeremiah 1 8 Commentary

Jeremiah 1:8 is a profound and fundamental verse for understanding the nature of divine calling and enablement in the face of daunting challenges. God commands Jeremiah to reject fear, not by suppressing his emotions, but by re-directing his focus from the powerful, potentially dangerous opposition ("them") to the all-sufficient presence of YHWH Himself ("I am with you"). The reason for God's presence is explicit: "to deliver you." This is not merely a comforting thought, but an active, empowering promise of protection and rescue. For Jeremiah, facing a deeply rebellious nation and its hostile leaders, this promise of deliverance would be the lifeline for his perseverance.

The "do not fear" command appears frequently throughout the Bible at moments of great transition or challenging commission, signaling that fear is the primary obstacle to obedience, and God's solution is always His personal presence and power. It teaches that courage in service to God is not the absence of potential danger, but a deep reliance on the One who controls all outcomes. This verse establishes a core truth applicable beyond prophetic ministry: believers are empowered to stand firm against external opposition when they trust in God's active presence and His ability to deliver them through or from any threatening circumstance.

Examples:

• A believer is called to speak truth to power in a hostile work environment, relying on God's promised presence for courage.
• A missionary venturing into a new, dangerous land trusts in God's deliverance as they proclaim the Gospel.
• An individual confronting injustice finds the strength to act, knowing God is with them to protect and sustain their efforts.