Jeremiah 23 5

Jeremiah 23:5 kjv

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:5 nkjv

"Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:5 niv

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

Jeremiah 23:5 esv

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Jeremiah 23:5 nlt

"For the time is coming,"
says the LORD,
"when I will raise up a righteous descendant
from King David's line.
He will be a King who rules with wisdom.
He will do what is just and right throughout the land.

Jeremiah 23 verses

Jeremiah 23 5 meaning

Jeremiah 23:5 is a profound prophetic declaration from the LORD, promising a future deliverer who will rectify the failed leadership of Judah's kings. It foretells the coming of a divine King, designated as the "Righteous Branch" (a messianic title), who will descend from the lineage of David. This coming king will reign with perfect wisdom, establish and uphold true justice, and consistently exercise righteousness throughout the land, contrasting sharply with the unrighteous and self-serving rule prevalent during Jeremiah's time. It offers a hopeful vision of restoration and ideal leadership under God's appointed king.

Jeremiah 23 5 Context

Jeremiah 23:5 is situated in a chapter where the prophet delivers severe condemnation against the "worthless shepherds"—the corrupt kings, priests, and false prophets of Judah who misled the people and scattered God's flock. These leaders failed to protect, feed, and guide God's people, leading to spiritual decay and ultimately, national judgment and exile. In this despairing context of spiritual and political failure, Jeremiah 23:5 (and the surrounding verses 5-8) serves as a beacon of hope, promising divine intervention. God pledges to raise up faithful leaders and, crucially, a righteous, perfect King from David's line, signifying a future of true restoration and godly governance. Historically, this prophecy arises amidst the impending Babylonian exile and the failure of current Davidic kings to uphold the covenant, making the promise of a truly righteous Davidic king profoundly significant. The "Righteous Branch" stands in direct polemic contrast to the unrighteous 'shepherds' Jeremiah denounces, emphasizing that true leadership comes from God and embodies divine justice and righteousness, unlike the corrupt practices of contemporary rulers.

Jeremiah 23 5 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה, hinnêh): An exclamation mark in Hebrew, drawing emphatic attention to the momentous and certain future event that follows. It signals a divine declaration of profound significance, demanding the audience's full awareness.
• The days are coming (בָּאִים יָמִים, ba'im yamim): A standard prophetic phrase indicating a future event that is assured, not merely possible. It points to a definitive moment in God's redemptive timeline, moving beyond present despair towards a certain hope.
• declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה, nə'um YHWH): Affirms the divine authority and unwavering truthfulness of the preceding statement. It establishes the oracle as an unbreakable word directly from God Himself, the ultimate guarantee of its fulfillment.
• I will raise up (וַהֲקִמֹתִי, va'haqimoti): Emphasizes God's active, sovereign agency in bringing about this king. It is not a human effort or political maneuvering, but a divine initiative that will bring forth the righteous ruler. This also highlights the contrast with previous kings who were "raised up" by succession but failed in their duty.
• for David (לְדָוִד, lə·ḏā·wiḏ): Connects the promise directly to the enduring Davidic Covenant (2 Sam 7:12-16). This future king is not just any leader, but one who will perfectly fulfill the terms of the covenant made with David, securing his dynasty and kingdom eternally.
• a righteous Branch (צֶמַח צַדִּיק, tzemach tzaddiq):
  • Branch (צֶמַח, tzemach): A key messianic title, also found in Isa 4:2, 11:1, and Zech 3:8, 6:12. It signifies a fresh shoot, a sprout emerging from a seemingly cut-down or dying stump. In the context of David's line, it represents new life and hope rising from the fallen royal house of Judah.
  • Righteous (צַדִּיק, tzaddiq): Signifies moral and ethical perfection, alignment with God's standards of justice and truth. This is the crucial characteristic that sets this future king apart from the unrighteous, self-serving kings who preceded him. He will embody true justice and integrity.
• he shall reign as king (וּמָלַךְ מֶלֶךְ, u'malakh melekh): Clearly states his royal office and supreme authority. This Branch will not merely be a spiritual leader but an actual reigning monarch, wielding true kingship. The double verb/noun emphasizes the certainty and nature of his rule.
• and deal wisely (וְהִשְׂכִּיל, ve'hiskil): To act with discernment, insight, and prudence. His rule will be characterized by profound understanding and intelligent decision-making, in stark contrast to the folly and misjudgments of Judah's corrupt rulers.
• and execute justice (וְעָשָׂה מִשְׁפָּט, ve'asa mishpat): To actively establish, administer, and carry out what is right, fair, and equitable. This king will not merely speak of justice but will actively implement it, correcting wrongs and upholding truth for all, especially the vulnerable.
• and righteousness (וּצְדָקָה, u'tzedakah): Moral uprightness and adherence to divine law, closely tied with justice. This goes beyond outward acts to encompass the moral integrity of his character and administration, ensuring ethical conduct at all levels of his kingdom.
• in the land (בָּאָרֶץ, ba'aretz): Primarily refers to the land of Israel (and ultimately, the whole earth), signifying the tangible scope and practical application of his righteous and just rule, which will transform the societal landscape.

Words-group analysis:

• "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD": This opening phrase functions as a divine seal of certainty and importance, ushering in a pivotal prophecy. It underscores that God Himself is speaking and initiating this future reality, offering steadfast hope amidst present judgment.
• "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch": This central promise highlights God's sovereign hand in fulfilling the ancient Davidic Covenant through a unique, divinely appointed descendant. The description "righteous Branch" contrasts powerfully with the corrupt "shepherds" of Jeremiah's time, pointing to a new era of ethical, life-giving leadership.
• "and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and execute justice and righteousness in the land": This segment vividly describes the character and scope of the Messiah's rule. It's a comprehensive vision of a monarchy established on divine principles of wisdom, fairness, and moral perfection, extending its beneficent influence across the entire sphere of his authority.

Jeremiah 23 5 Bonus section

• The term "Branch" (Tzemach) became a specific Messianic designation in Jewish tradition and prophecy. Its repeated usage (Isa 4:2; 11:1; Zech 3:8; 6:12; Jer 23:5; 33:15) solidified its understanding as a distinct title for the promised Redeemer.
• The emphasis on "justice and righteousness" in this verse echoes themes found throughout prophetic literature (e.g., Amos 5:24, Isa 9:7) as the defining characteristics of God's own reign and the expected attributes of ideal kingship. This highlights God's demand for ethical leadership that protects the vulnerable and upholds divine law.
• This prophecy acts as a future counter-narrative to the prevailing political reality of Jeremiah's day, where successive Davidic kings were morally compromised. It offers a promise of reversal, not through political revolution but through divine intervention in the Davidic line itself.
• The New Testament directly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic King prophecy (Matt 1:1, Luke 1:32-33) and indirectly connects Him to the "Branch" motif by emphasizing His perfect righteousness, wisdom, and eternal kingship.

Jeremiah 23 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 23:5 serves as a beacon of hope and a profound messianic prophecy in a time of great darkness for Judah. Jeremiah consistently decried the corrupt leadership of the Davidic kings, who were likened to negligent shepherds scattering their flock (Jer 23:1-4). This verse provides God's ultimate solution: a new King, raised by God Himself, who would fulfill the promises of the Davidic covenant in perfect integrity. The title "Righteous Branch" is deeply significant; "Branch" (Heb. tzemach) metaphorically describes a fresh shoot from a seemingly dead lineage, signifying renewed life and the resurgence of the Davidic dynasty through a specific individual. "Righteous" (tzaddiq) emphatically distinguishes this coming King from all previous failures, highlighting His flawless moral character and adherence to divine standards. His reign will not merely involve political power but will be marked by absolute wisdom, embodying discernment and prudent governance. Crucially, He will "execute justice and righteousness," which were precisely the attributes sorely missing from Judah's kings and were central to God's covenant with His people. This prophetic vision ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Rom 1:3), who perfectly embodied righteousness and wisdom, and whose spiritual kingdom is established on justice (Heb 1:8). He is the ultimate Good Shepherd, gathering and leading His people in righteousness, and His reign will extend universally, bringing truth and equity to all. The verse offers enduring hope that God's plan for righteous governance will prevail, demonstrating His faithfulness even amidst human failure.