Jeremiah 32 18

Jeremiah 32:18 kjv

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

Jeremiah 32:18 nkjv

You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them?the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 32:18 niv

You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents' sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty,

Jeremiah 32:18 esv

You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts,

Jeremiah 32:18 nlt

You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation's sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Jeremiah 32 verses

Jeremiah 32 18 Meaning

The verse expresses the vast and incomprehensible nature of God's power and covenant faithfulness. It declares God as the supreme Being, the creator of all things, including heaven and earth, and emphasizes His power in upholding His promises to His people. The enormity of His covenant, established with great might and outstretched arm, demonstrates His unfailing love and commitment, even amidst human sinfulness and national exile.

Jeremiah 32 18 Context

Jeremiah 32 records a significant divine revelation to the prophet Jeremiah. During a time when Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonian army and the people were facing impending judgment, God commanded Jeremiah to purchase a field from his cousin Hanameel. This act was to symbolize faith and hope in a future restoration of Israel. Jeremiah, questioning the practicality of buying land during such a bleak period, received this assurance from God that His covenant and redemptive power were enduring, and that the land would once again be possessed by His people. This chapter stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness amidst human despair and divine judgment, highlighting His ultimate sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

Jeremiah 32 18 Word analysis

• "I am the LORD": (Hebrew: Ani YHWH)
  • Ani (אֲנִי): "I" or "I am." Emphasizes self-existence and unique identity.
  • YHWH (יהוה): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His unchanging faithfulness and active involvement with His people. It signifies His eternal nature and His promise-keeping character.
• "your God": (Hebrew: Elohechem)
  • Elohechem (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם): Possessive form of "Elohim" (God), combined with "chem" (your, plural). It underscores the covenant relationship, specifying that the eternal God, YHWH, is their God, intimately linked to their history and destiny.
• "nothing is too hard": (Hebrew: lo yi-pala kol d'var mi-p'nai)
  • Lo (לֹא): "Not."
  • Yipala (יִפָּלֶא): "too wonderful," "too difficult," "too marvelous." It carries the sense of something exceeding human comprehension or capacity.
  • Kol (כֹּל): "All," "everything."
  • D'var (דָּבָר): "Word," "thing," "matter."
  • Mi-p'nai (מִפְּנֵי): "from before," "from the presence of." Used idiomatically here to mean "impossible for." The full phrase conveys that no matter or task is too extraordinary or overwhelming for God to accomplish.

Words Group Analysis:

• "Ah, Sovereign Lord": (Hebrew: Ah, Adonai Adonai YHWH)
  • Ah (הָהּ): An interjection expressing emotion, here wonder, perhaps mingled with a touch of apprehension about the implications of God's power.
  • Adonai (אֲדֹנָי): "Lord," a title of authority and sovereignty. Used twice for emphasis, stressing God's absolute dominion.
  • YHWH (יהוה): The personal name of God, further personalizing the address to the sovereign Lord. This addresses God in His absolute authority and His covenant relationship.
• "You have made the heavens and the earth": (Hebrew: atah asit et hashamayim ve'et ha'arets)
  • Atah (אַתָּה): "You." Direct address to God.
  • Asit (עָשִׂיתָ): "You have made" (from the verb asah - to do, make, accomplish). Directly attributes creation to God's active work.
  • Et hashamayim (אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם): "The heavens" (definite article "ha" with "shamayim"). The celestial expanse.
  • Ve'et ha'arets (וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ): "and the earth" (conjunction "ve" with "et ha'arets"). The terrestrial sphere. This phrase establishes God's supreme authority as the Creator, laying the foundation for His power to act in covenant.
• "by your great power and outstretched arm": (Hebrew: mi-yidka ha-gadol u-mizroa’aha ha-netuyah)
  • Mi-yidka (מִיָּדְךָ): "from your hand." The hand represents power, action, and capability. "Your mighty power."
  • Ha-gadol (הַגָּדוֹל): "the great." Adjective describing God's power.
  • U-mizroa'aha (וּמִזְּרוֹעָ): "and from your arm."
  • Ha-netuyah (הַנְּטוּיָה): "the outstretched." The outstretched arm is a powerful metaphor for God's active, saving, and executing power in history, particularly as seen in the Exodus. This phrase amplifies the assertion that God's power is not merely inherent but demonstrably active and effective.

Jeremiah 32 18 Bonus Section

The Hebrew word for "hard" used in verse 17 (Hebrew: yipala) can also mean "wonderful" or "marvelous." Thus, the verse can also be understood as "Nothing is too wonderful for you." This dual meaning highlights the awe-inspiring and glorious nature of God's deeds, reinforcing that His power not only overcomes difficulties but also performs acts of extraordinary magnificence. This echoes the astonishment of the Israelites at the Red Sea, an act of both power and wonder.

Jeremiah 32 18 Commentary

Jeremiah's statement in verse 17 is profoundly theological, attributing creation to God's omnipotence. He marvels at the divine power that formed the cosmos, recognizing its vastness and His Creator's boundless ability. The prophet then directly applies this to his own situation, acknowledging that if God can create and sustain the entire universe, then nothing—not even the current siege of Jerusalem or the seemingly insurmountable obstacles—is beyond His capability to handle. The assurance that "nothing is too hard for you" serves as a bedrock of faith in the face of overwhelming circumstances, reminding believers that God's power transcends human limitations and fears. This affirmation anticipates God's future redemptive acts and covenant faithfulness, providing hope and assurance in His promises.